Free breast implants contest at B.C. nightclub

Women spin wheel for free breast implants at B.C. nightclub, ignore protesters
at 17:51 on July 24, 2005, EST.
AMY CARMICHAEL


Tiffany Friesen, of Fort St. John, B.C., celebrates her win at Penticton's Element Nightclub "Sextreme Makeover" on Saturday. The nightclub was giving away a minimum of $3,000 for breast implants. (CP/Jeff Bassett)
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PENTICTON, B.C. (CP) - Hours before a 22-year-old personal banker won a free set of breast implants, elderly churchgoers in this Okanagan Valley city did their bit to change the minds of 36 contestants in the controversial competition.

Mildred Wakefield and her Holiness Bible Movement supporters sang out to Jesus, beat a drum and danced on the sidewalk across from the Element Nightclub.

"We need to show these young girls there's something better out there for them, they don't need to be exploiting their sexuality," said Wakefield. "Why don't they come sing with us?" She made her point as club manager Florio Vassilakakis stared on from the other side of the street, waiting for guests to start arriving to take in the Sextreme Makeover competition, an event that raised the ire of not just Wakefield but women's groups and the B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons.

Vassilakakis wasn't worried by the small but eye-catching and loud group of about 15 protesters.

"They don't realize they're doing exactly the opposite from what they want to achieve. They're just giving me more publicity," he said.

Nonetheless a showdown between Wakefield, her band and the contestants was prevented by the gospel singers' early bed time. They packed it in long before the club got jumping at around midnight Saturday as about 100 people took in the competition.

Many of the contestants - including the winner - said they were offended by the protesters.

"They have their rights to believe whatever they want but it's my body and I'm going to do whatever I want," said Tiffany Freisen between celebratory screams and gulps of champagne inside the club.

Freisen danced all night and spun off against 35 other women for a brand new pair of breasts.

Names of all the contestants, most of whom were 19 or in their early 20s, were taped to a prize wheel for a chance at the $3,000 prize.

One by one they filed up on stage in mini skirts and tight dresses to spin the wheel, eliminating the girl whose name it landed on.

Freisen shrieked in disbelief when she was the last woman standing.

Other contestants, many from Edmonton, Calgary and the United States, sulked, soothing their disappointment at the bar. They lost a chance at gaining self-confidence, many of them said.

Men at the club were astounded at the competition.

"They're all so beautiful. Every single one of the contestants is really good-looking. I don't get it," said Steve Jones, 32, who was visiting from Calgary.

"Natural is so much better. I want to tell all these girls, 'don't do it!' "

Freisen, a slim, tanned woman from Fort St. John, said her good looks aren't enough for her.

"I was born really unlucky with this one part of my body. I've been wanting implants for five years and winning this is so amazing because I just recently went to a consultation. It's going to be great," said Freisen.

Women's groups are worried that contestants in the Sextreme Makeover competition aren't thinking about the possible health risks associated with breast implants.

The College of Physicians and Surgeons says women's judgment can be clouded when they are given a prize like breast implants for free.

Breast implant surgery carries the same operative risks associated with many surgical interventions to implant a medical device. Health Canada says they can cause infection, hematoma, delayed wound healing and changes in sensation.

"I have been looking into it," Freisen said of the dangers of breast implants.

But mostly, she said, she's just excited - a feeling that could turn to frustration when she tries to find a doctor to do the procedure.

The B.C. college has adopted strict guidelines barring doctors from doing plastic surgery on contest winners.

The group is trying to crack down on extreme makeovers which have made for popular reality TV. They say the promotions are unethical and in bad taste.

Night club manager Vassilakakis denied there was anything degrading about the event.

"We didn't ask any of the girls to take their clothes off and show us what they have. It's a tasteful draw that these contestants chose to enter."

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