| Australian politician calls for ban on teen cosmetic surgery |
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| Wednesday, 27 September 2006 | |
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"It used to be the case that the biggest question parents faced was whether to give their children permission to have their ears pierced," Iemma told the paper. "Then it was tattoos. But, increasingly, parents are being asked to fund breast implants or a nose job as birthday or graduation gifts," he said. Iemma intends introducing new laws requiring teenagers to get a referral from their doctor and separately undergo counselling before receiving aesthetic surgery. In addition, patients under 18 would need the consent of parents and a one month cooling off period would be required before any surgery can go ahead. The legislative proposal comes as surgeons report increasing numbers of teenagers, some as young as 15, appearing in aesthetic surgery clinics across Sydney, requesting breast implants, liposuction and Botox and collagen injections, along with nose changes. The call has not met with universal acclaim, however. Dr. Norm Olbourne of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons said many young people have legitimate reasons for undergoing surgery. "I'm concerned that if there was legislation, it might preclude young people who not only deserve but need cosmetic surgery for their well-being," he said. A spokesman added that most reputable doctors would not perform cosmetic surgery on teenagers, other than otoplasty and rhinoplasty but admitted there are less reputable members of the profession who would do so. |
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