CARACAS: Maria Sanchez walks slowly through her house in the Venezuelan capital with two surgical drainage bags hanging from her waist — the nightmare result of her search for the perfect derriere.Almost a decade ago she underwent a backside-enhancing procedure, the kind that has soared in popularity as women crave a figure popularized by celebrities like Jennifer Lopez or Kim Kardashian.'I was mutilated,' the 50-year-old tells AFP, but 'I had to assume the consequences.'In 2006, she was injected with what is known as a biopolymer, a term commonly used to refer to naturally derived products, but which also encompasses synthetic fillers made from silicone or even paraffin.Sanchez now has a scar running across her lower back as a painful reminder of the reconstruction surgery in which doctors managed to extract 90 percent of the filler.The fillers, seen as a cheaper and less invasive alternative to fat grafting, are injected and expand inside the body.Their use was banned in Venezuela in 2012 after years of massive commercialization in outpatient clinics but also in hair salons and even in doctors' offices.Recognition of their toxicity is growing.Neighboring Colombia on Tuesday enacted a law imposing two- to 10-year jail terms on those who inject biopolymers in consumers as well as fines up to US$70,000.
Maria Sanchez, 50, holds the fluid drainage collection pouches while recovering at home after her second biopolymer extraction operation in Caracas on August 4, 2023. AFP PHOTOGrowing numbers of people suffering chronic pain are seeking to have biopolymer removed from their bodies. Last year, American rapper Cardi B admitted she had had polymer filler removed from her buttocks, warning young women against the procedure.
While buttock enhancement was the most popular biopolymer treatment, it has also been used to enhance breasts, calf muscles, or even for penis enlargement.A woman who requested to remain unidentified shows the scars left by the operation she underwent for the extraction of biopolymers that seriously affected her health in Caracas on July 29, 2023.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Spain PM says football boss apology over kiss 'insufficient'Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Tuesday, Aug. 22, blasted as 'insufficient' the apology given by Spain's football federation chief for kissing star player Jennifer Hermoso on the lips after Spain won the Women's World Cup.
Read more »
Spain’s acting prime minister slams soccer body head for kissing playerBARCELONA, Spain—Spain’s acting prime minister said it was “unacceptable” that the Spanish soccer federation president kissed a player on the lips without her consent, as pressure builds on Luis Rubiales to resign for tarnishing the team’s Women’s World Cup championship. Pedro Sánchez praised the team during an audience at the presidential palace on…
Read more »
Women's World Cup teams head home to different futuresSYDNEY—Teams headed home from the Women's World Cup with uncertain futures but hopes that the monthlong tournament would spur new interest and further investment in the game. For some teams, like Nigeria, the Philippines and Jamaica, the struggle for funding, support and recognition will continue. More established teams like Germany, Brazil, Canada…
Read more »
Villar cites women empowerment to earnSenator Cynthia Villar says women take the lead in her 3,000 community-based livelihood projects nationwide which help augment family income. These
Read more »
Richardson outsmarts Jamaicans for stunning women’s 100m goldBUDAPEST—American Sha’Carri Richardson crushed Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce’s hopes of a sixth women’s world 100m title when she stormed to victory in
Read more »
SPECKS OF LIFE: Violence against women desks in every barangayWhile the Marcos government pirouettes like a headless chicken scooting around in search of a rational response to China’s intrusive bullying in the SCS, it is commendable to note, at this time, the issuance of DILG MC 2023-104 urging all barangays to set up their own VAW desks to address the increa
Read more »