- Title: USA: DEBATE CONTINUES IN CALIFORNIA OVER THE BREAST IMPLANTS IN COSMETIC SURGERY
- Date: 12th April 2005
- Summary: (L!1) HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FEBRUARY 27, 2005) (REUTERS) WIDE SHOT OF CELEBRITIES ON RED CARPET AT 2005 ACADEMY AWARDS. WIDE OF GIANT OSCAR MODELS IN RED CARPET SLV ACTRESS MELANIE GRIFFITH (WEARING REVEALING TOP) AND HUSBAND ANTONIO BANDERAS AT 2005 ACADEMY AWARDS. HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (2004) CLOSE OF ACTRESS PAMELA ANDERSON LEE AND KID ROCK AT THE 2004 GRAMMYS VARIOUS OF ACTRESS ANNA NICOLE SMITH AT VH1 "HOT IN 2004" EVENT
- Embargoed: 27th April 2005 13:00
- Keywords:
- Location: BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES
- City:
- Country: USA
- Topics: Health
- Reuters ID: LVA918WVZ90AO6Q14WRESX2DK84Y
- Aspect Ratio:
- Story Text: The debate over breast implants rages on in Southern California, a place where many are engaged in the pursuit of physical perfection.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) decided Tuesday (April 12) to deny a request by a manufacturer of silicone breast implants to allow the medical devices to be marketed and sold in America.
Silicone breast implants were banned in the U.S. thirteen years ago amidst health concerns related to ruptures and leaks ring. Meanwhile, more than 3,000 miles away from where federal regulators gathered, the debate over breast implants rages on.
Sunny Southern California is a region where many are engaged in the relentless pursuit of physical perfection.
The pressure to be fit and beautiful is especially intense in the wealthy enclave of Beverly Hills. The high-profile city is home to both the entertainers who rely upon their looks to make a living, and those who otherwise have the requisite wads of cash required to burn on cosmetic procedures aimed at defying the laws of nature. The Mercedes Benzes honking at the Porsches, and the Bentleys muscling out the BMWs on Rodeo Drive are a clear reminder of the kind of cash being spent in this town daily.
Also highly visible is the Academy Awards, arguably the biggest event of the year for the Hollywood set. And, the pressure to make an Oscar-worthy turn on the red carpet can be overwhelming. Many stars deny having any "work"
done, but Melanie Griffith is one who is known to have been nipped, tucked and otherwise to help her put her best foot forward. And, there are dozens and dozens of other times each year she, her husband Antonio Banderas and their fellow celebrities come under public scrutiny while working to keep their attractive images fresh in the minds of fans.
Pamela Anderson Lee and Anna Nicole Smith are two entertainers who never seem to tire of promoting their pricey faux assets.
A silver statue of a naked female torso stands at attention on Rodeo Drive just North of Wilshire Boulevard.
Installed in 2003, it is a stark representation of what some call the plastic surgery capital of the world.
Ironically, this shiny symbol of womanhood overlooking one of the most expensive strips of retail real estate in the country does not truly reflect the real-life anatomical exaggerations being produced within blocks of its location.
Here hundreds of doctors make their living by operating on females who choose to go under the knife in hopes of restoring a sagging ego or otherwise gain a bit of the elusive happiness they believe hinges on a bigger bra size. One such medical professional is a Canadian-educated member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. He advocates the free market approach to providing breast implants to patients on-demand, and also supports making the controversial silicone variety again widely available to the U.S. public. "Now my personal philosophy here in Beverly Hills is, if it's not broken, don't fix it, as a general rule," says Dr. Steven J. Varkony.
"If somebody had saline breast implants and they're happy, they have a natural result, they look good, there's no reason to have another surgery to replace the implant. But for a woman who walks in today, for a cosmetic breast enlargement, or for reconstruction after cancer, they should be given the choice of having silicone breast implants."
One of Dr. Varkony's patients is a real-life example of a woman who claims the surgical enhancement of her chest gave her the confidence she needed to overcome her anxiety about not being genetically destined to have a voluptuous physique. The petite brunette says that in spite of the initial pain, she is very happy with the results. "The reason is, I'm a size A, or was should I say," says Leticia Mejia.
"(I had) a lot of insecurity, feeling like a teenager, not sexy, always wondering what it would feel like to actually have what I am supposed to as a woman, um, just to boost the self-esteem and the ego. And, just to look good."
Dr. Varkony also likens getting breast implants to getting a knee or hip replaced, but he seems to be blurring the lines between form and function. Still, he admits plastic surgery has come under fire by those who believe it is nothing more than the exploitation of women. And, these detractors are making themselves known. Now even Dr.
Varkony is characterizing the issue of breast implants, both saline and silicone, to be a political football.
"Now you have to understand, that many different groups address the FDA, a lot of these groups have their own agendas, it's more than just the medical aspect of this device. There are groups that just don't like idea of cosmetic surgery for women. They feel that women are being manipulated in society, they don't believe in any of this stuff. So they don't want women to have to alter their bodies for what they believe is man's desires."
Meanwhile, those who live, work and play in Beverly Hills seem to be mixed about their views on breast implants.
A hostess at a local deli says she is against them.
"I think you should be happy with what you have and leave that other stuff alone," says Gwen Thomas.
"It's not healthy for you, and it could cause serious pain, and it's just not necessary."
And, one man who has made his living giving people brighter smiles for more than two decades says breast implants should be approached with caution. But Dr. Daniel Durchsleg also says his overall perspective on cosmetic procedures is shaped by years of getting up-close-and-personal with those will gladly pay good money to purchase a better look.
"Well, I'm a cosmetic dentist, I've been at it for 25 years, so I've had a chance to see people make all kinds of decisions about they want to do with their appearance and their presentation to the world. So, in general, I think that breast implants would fall into that category. I think one has to listen carefully to the recommendations of their physicians. I think that as we see the spectrum of the implant surgery spread to the very young and to the very old, one becomes a little suspicious of the appropriateness of that."
But shopper Keri Burkham says although she would never do it herself, she completely supports the idea of going under the knife to polish one's image:
"I don't have a problem with any plastic surgery. I think if someone wants to do that to themselves to make them feel better, I don't see any reason why that's a problem." - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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