January 29, 2003

PLASTIC MAN:

On the button: Navel-baring midriffs credited for rise in umbilicoplasty (Clive Thompson, 1/16/03, Colorado Springs Independent)
Breast implants and liposuction are the traditional ways to create a new you. But a new body part is now going under the knife: the navel. In the spring of 2002, plastic surgeons began reporting a curious spike in the number of women requesting navel reconstruction -- or "umbilicoplasty," as the pros call it.

Sometimes it was part of a tummy tuck; sometimes the tummy was fine, but the navel rankled. "I get about three or five inquiries a week now," says Jim Romano, a San Francisco surgeon who performs the outpatient procedure for about $3,500. Calls have "gone way up, with all the midriffs showing." [...]

Consider what's going on here: a style of clothing is driving a style of surgery. But with umbilicoplasty, the body has become as plastic as fashion -- to be nipped and tucked along with trends that themselves might last only a matter of months.


And people think this species can be trusted with genetic engineering technology? Posted by Orrin Judd at January 29, 2003 3:45 PM
Comments

How much to pull the lint out?

Posted by: pj at January 29, 2003 5:24 PM

It's the same species that considers it a great honor and privlege to beat yourself bloody with a leaded whip for the glory of God.

Posted by: Harry at January 29, 2003 6:40 PM

Just read your exchange with the Instapundit. He seems a little obtuse in thinking that all the consequences of a scientific technique can be predicted in advance. The distinction he rests his case on, between science that "works" and science that "doesn't work" (i.e. doesn't produce the single consequence that the scientist intends), ignores all the other consequences that the scientist was not aiming at but will nonetheless follow.

Posted by: pj at January 29, 2003 7:19 PM

Harry:



There's a huge problem with that at our local High School.

Posted by: oj at January 29, 2003 8:24 PM

OJ:



This is an easy target for satire. But, along with all the other surgical enhancements and reductions it differs in no significant way from orthodontia.



Anyone who has had their teeth straightened while criticizing those who choose some form of appearance surgery emit at least a whiff of hypocrisy.



Sincerely,

Jeff Guinn

Posted by: Jeff Guinn at January 30, 2003 8:40 AM

Agreed--keep the teeth God gave you.

Posted by: oj at January 30, 2003 9:31 AM
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