“It’s almost like science fiction. Everyone looks alike,” said Elayne Rapping, a pop culture expert with the University at Buffalo.
In November, the 23-year-old starlet underwent a breast enlargement, chin reduction and eight other procedures during 10 hours under the knife. Her breast size went from an A cup to DDD, a potentially dangerous jump for someone so young, doctors said.
“It can cause too much stress on the skin and they can move around with time,” said Dr. Mauro Romita, a Manhattan plastic surgeon.
“The Hills” star came out of her post-surgery hiding Tuesday, telling “Good Morning America” that she was not “addicted” and felt like “a different, improved version of myself.”
According to InTouch weekly, her doctor is refusing to increase her already enhanced bust size, though she told Extra!, “I actually want H for Heidi.”
“It seems a little bit indulgent, especially in the wake of the financial crisis,” said Amanda Knudsen, 20, a Manhattan student.
Surgeons cautioned against 10 hours of elective surgery, and Montag told “Access Hollywood” that she came close to dying because she had “too much Demerol, like Michael Jackson.”
The plastic surgery industry has boomed in the last decade, with the number of procedures increasing six fold between 1997 and 2007, according to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery. Patients often schedule multiple procedures at once because it’s cheaper, said Dr. Z. Paul Lorenc, a Manhattan surgeon.
Lorenc thought Montag’s 10 procedures cost at least $20,000.
Jean Twenge, author of the “Narcissism Epidemic” called Montag’s “People” interview in which she admitted to the extent of her surgery as “one of the most disturbing” she’s ever read.
“Unfortunately, I do think this is the way things are going,” Twenge said. “There’s this obsession with fame and celebrities.”
Some young New Yorkers didn’t frown on plastic surgery, saying it was common among their peers.
“I’m fine with it. I think you are in charge of your body and whatever you want to do with it,” said Allie Noe, 20, a NYU student.
On the whole, New York women are more realistic about surgery than those in fame-driven Los Angeles, Romita said.
“In Hollywood, maybe you want the ‘Baywatch’ look. In New York, you just want to fill out a top,” he said.
Robert Levin contributed to this story.
