Myrl Jeffcoat myrlj@jps.net

Thanks to Sandra for sending the following.

Myrl

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More women trying to go from none to some

Breast augmentation saw a decline after silicone was
banned in Taiwan, but new methods are catching on
By Diana Freundl
STAFF REPORTER
Thursday, Feb 24, 2005

From those who use padded bras to those who use herbal
concoctions, women around the world are obsessed with
breast size. Yet those who undergo breast augmentation
surgery are often viewed as exhibitionists.

In Taiwan, most breast augmentation is performed on
women between 40 and 50, yet implants could be making
a comeback in the younger generation.

"The majority of my clients are women past their
childbearing years. Breasts tend to get smaller after
a woman has children, and some women become unhappy
with the way their bodies look with age," said Dr Pan
Fu-shih (àN.}"K), a plastic surgeon certified by the
American Board of Plastic Surgery.

Of roughly 300 certified plastic surgeons in Taiwan,
more than half practice cosmetic surgery, a major rise
from the 15 doctors practicing when Pan returned from
the US 10 years ago. No surgeon in Taiwan specializes
in breast augmentation, so clients tend to be
referrals from previous patients.

According to a major saline implant distributor,
demand for their products has risen every year for the
past three years at a rate of 5 to 10 percent. Pan
himself performs two operations a week in Taipei, only
a slight increase from previous years, he said.

Shown are promotional photos used in consultations
with clients at Dr Pan Fu-shih's private clinic.

This small boost in implant jobs does not explain the
large amount of cleavage revealed in popular fashion
magazines and newspapers, which according to those in
the fashion industry is a trend of the last five
years.

"Showing cleavage is acceptable and almost necessary,"
explained Lorie Lee (->ZXZX), creative director of the
local fashion magazine Sports Vanity.

Swimsuit model, Lorie Lee, knows the importance of
busty shots, but as an industry insider she also knows
a few tips for faking it.

A swimsuit model, Lee knows the importance of "busty
shots," but as an insider she also knows a few tips
for faking it.

"Of course the public loves big breasts. But breast
jobs are not as popular in Taiwan as they are in the
US. There are other ways to create cleavage, such as
silicone bras and special tape to create different
effects," she said.

Padded bras don't work for everyone, or at least they
can't achieve the "perfect results," that Miss Chou, a
breast implant recipient, claimed to have gotten.

Giving only her surname, Chou, 27, had the surgery
done three years ago, after two of her friends had it
done.

"They recommended me to Dr. Pan and judging by how
good they looked, I wanted to do it." A size A before
the operation, Chou's cup size is not the only thing
that received a boost. "I feel more confident. My
clothes fit and look better. More people notice me."

Nothing new

Breast implants are not new to Taiwan. In fact, they
experienced relative popularity from the early 1980s
until 1992, when it was reported that silicone
implants were responsible for connective tissue
diseases in some women. The so-called breast implant
crisis began with a ban on silicone implants in the US
and subsequently Taiwan.

Despite their wide use in Europe, they are still
unavailable in North America and Taiwan. In their
place a safer yet less realistic saline implant is
used.

"We are starting to see a slight but steady increase
in women seeking breast augmentation again," said Pan,
but whether it will become popular among young women
is yet to be seen.

Rachel Ho (?½��<Õ), a client consultant at the Mutador
cosmetic surgery clinic in Taipei, said while
middle-aged women account for most operations at the
clinic, more women are beginning to have the
operation.

"The reasons for getting the surgery vary depending on
a client's age. It used to be a woman wanted to
impress her husband. Maybe her breasts got smaller
after giving birth, or maybe her husband was having an
affair. The younger clients [in their early 20s] are
more concerned with body image," Ho said.

The surgery takes anywhere from one to two hours, but
the recovery period lasts several months. Stitches are
removed after a week, and swelling and bruising eases
in two weeks, but the final shape does not surface
until at least three months after surgery. A new set
of breasts costs from NT$150,000 to NT$200,000.

As with any operation there are potential
complications. Short-term problems include prolonged
swelling and blood clots. Long-term complications can
result if a body rejects the implants. But such
occurrences are rare, said Pan, who claims a
100-percent success rate so far.

"The number-one problem with plastic surgery is
unrealistic expectations. No amount of surgery will
make a body or life perfect," he said.

There have been a number of "horror stories" from
operations performed by non-certified and unqualified
doctors. Pan also performs corrective surgeries on
patients unsatisfied with the results of earlier
breast jobs.

Alternatives

Less costly and less risky options are on the rise.
There is a wide selection of massagers, pumps and
pills available on the Internet and at the back of
some women's magazines.

Alternatively, women in Taiwan have the advantage of
traditional medicine, which claims to help firm breast
tissue and enhance size.

James Tseng ('\.¶�r), a traditional Chinese doctor in
Taipei's Shilin district, said requests for
information regarding breast augmentation are
frequent.

Tseng knew the recipe for a relevant concoction off
the top of his head. It included six ingredients, one
of which is papaya (perhaps the basis of the myth that
papaya milkshakes increases bust size). Acupuncture
and self-massage techniques are also prescribed, and
acupuncture is becoming the most popular, he said.

For Tseng and many women, traditional medicine is a
safer alternative to implants. "Plastic surgery is the
least natural thing you can do to your body," he said.

But not everyone cares. "If I can make myself look
better, then why not?" asked Maggie Hsu when talking
about her decision to get implants this year. "I tried
massage and herbal pills, but it didn't work. This is
something I've wanted for a long time but never had
the money for. Now I do."

And there was no pressure from her boyfriend, who she
said dislikes the idea. "He doesn't understand why I
want to spend money on something that is fake. But
it's my body." And ultimately it's going to be her
decision.

http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/feat/archives/2005/02/24/2003224337