Dr Joe Niamtu Commentary on Dr Khoo Lee Seng andDr Vasco Senna-Fernandes' Hymenoplasty Article

8/18/2019 Dr Joe Niamtu Commentary on Dr Khoo Lee Seng andDr Vasco Senna-Fernandes' Hymenoplasty Article

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volume 3 issue 3 I 23

p m f a n e w s

commentary

The interesting and controversial article on hymenoplasty

published in the Dec/Jan 16 issue of PMFA News is an

example of what can happen when religion and culture

clash with modern medicine. In my opinion, medicine

and science should be pure and defined and free of

interpretation. They are what they are without debate. When religious

or cultural influences are meshed with science and medicine, bad

things can happen. Copernicus and Galileo both printed books that

challenged the Holy Scriptures. These scientists stated the earth

revolved around the sun which contraindicated Biblical teachings.

Copernicus died shortly after publishing his text and escaped

prosecution (although the book was banned), while Galileo was

tried by the Inquisition and deemed a heretic. Both scientists were

considered sinners.

It is impossible to provide emotional commentary and not offend

someone on either side of the argument. One must always respect

and attempt to understand the religious and cultural influences that

may interface with the practice of modern medicine and surgery. All

doctors also have the obligation to embrace evidence-based science

and the wellbeing of their patients. It is very hard, if not impossible,

for many Westerners to understand the female position in some

religious cultures. I am sure it is just as hard for devout practitioners

of some religions to understand the female role in Western culture.

Regardless of one’s views, medicine should always be blind to non-

scientific influences and be practised for the sole benefit for themental and physical wellbeing of the patient. As a cosmetic surgeon,

virtually every procedure I perform could be considered frivolous

and unnecessary. It does not make people live longer or enhance

the gene pool. It is vanity surgery! Having said that, people stand in

line to have cosmetic surgery as it enhances their life and wellbeing.

They look and feel better as a result of my work and for this reason my

work is justified. Having said that, there are patients that I turn away

because they are not suitable mental or physical candidates. Even

‘frivolous’ medicine and surgery has limitations.

Virginity and religion have clashed as long as both have existed.

My purpose in this commentary is not to enter the space of religion

or morals but to focus on the medical perspective. To that end, some

medical and surgical procedures are lifesaving. Antibiotic treatmentand aneurism surgery can both save and or prolong life. Elective

surgical procedures serve to enhance the life of those whom undergo

it for a multitude of personal reasons. If a woman will bear a life of

isolation and punishment for not being a virgin, then a procedure

to mitigate this discrimination would be appropriate, albeit a ‘false’

pretense. My facelift patients feel better because they don’t see the

dangling neck skin in the mirror and it enhances their self-esteem.

Enhanced self-esteem makes people walk differently, interact

differently, and sometimes live differently. There are clear measurable

and immeasurable influences from the surgery. They are not really

younger, I did not change their age; only their ageing.

A non-virgin whom has undergone hymenoplasty may escape a life

of prejudice, exclusion and evidentially possible execution. This is a

case of an elective cosmetic procedure going way above and beyond

the average benefit to my typical patient. None of my patients with

excess upper eyelid tissue risk persecution and death. From a purely

medical and surgical standpoint hymenoplasty has merit. From a

religious and cultural standpoint, it is up to the patient. In the West,

women have more control of their bodies and related outcomes. In

other parts of the world it is not as straightforward.

The other part of this discussion has to do with the religious beliefs

of the specific doctor. This opens many other ethical doors and

unanswered questions and is beyond the scope of this commentary.

I would have to say that my personal opinion is that medicine andscience should be blind to outside influences including religion and

cultural influences. As we don’t live in a vacuum, doctors will always

have some outside influence and this will vary from culture to culture.

I believe that a doctor can never go wrong when truly acting in the

best ethical interests of the patient.

‘Medical ethics’ continues to evolve. Abortion has come in and out

of legality in many societies. Some societies allow euthanasia while

it is murder in others. In my grandparents’ and parents’ generation,

marital virginity was paramount. In my generation it is rarely even a

consideration for the average person. These changes have occurred

quickly in my culture. Medical ethics and the ramifications of religion

and society will always be dynamic and present this dilemma for all

doctors and patients.

pmfa news

F c k f” L / . F c k f” L / .

/in/pinpointscotland/PMFANews @pmfanewsfollow us

VOLUME 3ISSUE 2 • DECEMBER/JANUARY2016 • www.pmfanews.com

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–an issueofsocio-culturalmoralityandmedicalethics12

EmergenzaSorrisi –

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A newtreatmentfor

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ISSN 2053-1435THE BIMONTHLYREVIEWOF PLASTIC&MAXILLO-FACIALSURGERYAND AESTHETICMEDICINE

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PMFAAM15.indb 1 27/03/2015 11:34

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P sychologicaloutcomesfollowing

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surgeryinIraqand Afghanistan09

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PMFAFM15.indb 1 29/01/ 2015 15:23

#pmfanews

Further thoughts onhymenoplasty JOE NIAMTU, III, DMD, COSMETIC FACIAL SURGERY, RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, USA. WWW.LOVETHATFACE.COM

J Niamtu

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Dr Joe Niamtu Commentary on Dr Khoo Lee Seng andDr Vasco Senna-Fernandes' Hymenoplasty Article