Nor does there seem to be much hesitation on the part of women to have cosmetic surgery, despite real risks. Government statistics reveal that more than 200,000 malpractice lawsuits have been filed during the past decade over botched operations, many of them conducted by surgeons with little oversight or training. In March, the state media reported that new government regulations were under review. For many women, the decision to have cosmetic surgery is less about vanity than practicality, rooted in the belief that a more attractive appearance will help them find a better job or spouse in a more competitive society. Ms. Yang, who is 19, was tall and striking before her surgery, and had started a modeling career after graduating from high school. But she was not satisfied with her face and said makeup artists had suggested plastic surgery. She also had entered a handful of beauty contests without success. ''I wanted to be equal to other beautiful women,'' Ms. Yang said. ''That's why I had plastic surgery.''
