World and people

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil - Armed bandits in Brazil
robbed a vehicle carrying more than 400 breast implants,
officials said on Tuesday.

"It happened last week, but we only learned about it
recently as our clients started complaining. It is the hottest
period of the year in terms of implant sales," said Margaret
Figueiredo, director of silicone implant manufacturer Silimed.

A spokesman for the state Postal Service confirmed that
assailants, apparently men, robbed the postal van with implants
on Thursday night in Rio de Janeiro. Each Silimed breast
implant costs nearly $400.

The popularity of Brazil's plastic surgery pioneer and
trendsetter Ivo Pitanguy, whose clients include celebrities
like Sophia Loren, has made the tropical country one of the
leading international nip and tuck venues.

Figueiredo explained demand is the highest in July, during
the southern hemisphere winter, as women schedule surgery
during the winter school holidays, which precede the beach
season.

Figueiredo said the implants, each bearing an individual
number, could now only be sold for clandestine surgeries.
Horrific stories abound in Brazil about the illegal operations
that can cause gangrene and death.

# posted by Mike @ 11:22 PM