Saturday January 29, 2000
Celebrity Doctors on the Internet
While Paul Newman still looks pretty great, some celebrities are turning to plastic surgery to keep up their appearances. And while they used to do it as secretly as possible, now, they're making it a very public affair. EXTRA explains why that's causing a controversy.
Beverly Hills California. The land of stars mansions and of course, plastic surgery. Now the normally low-profile profession has erupted in controversy all because nips and tucks have gone high-tech. Michael Sands created a web-site called "CelebrityDoctor.com." Log on and you can go into an operating room to watch B-Celeb's, like comedian John Byner, get plastic surgery. Most of this video is so gory we can't even show it to you. The celeb's do it in exchange for free surgery; the doctors for free publicity. "We're merely providing information like you do on a regular news show." Michael says.
Dr. James Wells is on the Board of Plastic Surgeons, which is investigating the website. He says "Celebrity Doc" and other on-line surgery sites like the one that broadcast singer Carney Wilson's stomach stapling, poses a serious risk. How? He argues that patients may log on and impulsively sign up with one of the doctors on the site. And while he's not pointing fingers at those doctors he does say that in a worst case scenario you could have a disastrous outcome. Joan Krone is the editor of "Allure" magazine and the author of many plastic surgery articles. She calls online surgery a bloodsport. "I think surgery on the Internet is entertainment and it seems like a kind of pornography." She says.
48-year old actress Christopher Templeton is a former soap star and has starred in some low-profile movies like "Hostage For a Day" with George Wendt. She has no problem trading her celebrity for a free facelift. "If I felt there was something show business about the thing, I probably wouldn't have done it." But establishment doctor's like Dr. Wells say these surgeries are all about showbiz and bucks and he has a message for Celebrity Doctor.com and the surgeons working on it: "Shut it down and become professionals again. Deal with your patients in the way you always dealt with them." Sands, our self-described philanthropist says "No Way." If you would like more information on this website, you can go to www.celebritydoctor.com.
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