CHAPTER 5
Joe lay face down on an operating table in an amphitheater. He
was anesthetized and could neither feel nor move. In his euphoric
state, he could not pay attention as the as the surgeon described
what was happening to him.
"Today I am using micro-miniature appliances, incorporating
fiber optics and lasers, to demonstrate some inspiring developments
in surgery."
"First, I am performing liposuction to effect body contouring.
As I am sure you are well aware, this is a high profit margin
business for us. However, I am going beyond conventional routine
here today. In order to create on the subject the smallest
waistline possible, as called for in the treatment protocol."
"Accordingly I have made a small incision at the spine where
the lowest set of ribs connect. I then insert a multiple lead fiber
optic cable to carry video, transmit laser energy, and control the
miniaturized equipment."
The surgeon accomplished this and went on."Now I simply cut
through each rib at the spine, severing them. I inject a
radioactive compound, with a short half-life, into the marrow to
kill it. Next I apply a sealant to the spine to prevent any attempt
at reattachment.The rest is simple. The bones die and gradually
become brittle. Subsequently, the subject is exposed to the ultra-
sound shock treatment used to break up kidney stones. This shatters
the now fragile bone, and the body assimilates the fragments as it
would any source of calcium." The surgeon finished up.
"Another advantage of this procedure is that there is no
scarring. Surgical adhesive is applied to the entry puncture, and
we are done." The surgeon departed with a smattering of applause
from the gallery.
Another surgeon appeared in greens. "Good morning. I am going
to continue the physique contouring started by my esteemed
colleague. As you know the subject of weight reduction is
complicated by the fact that once formed by the body, fat cells are
never destroyed. When the body is starved, as when dieting, they
just give up their fat and remain where they are, waiting to be
refilled. Liposuction as performed earlier does remove these, but
here I venture a step further."
The surgeon did something to Joe's hip.
"I separate the fat cells by centrifuging them, then filter
them to a uniform size with a permeable membrane. These cells are
collected in a tank and, using a process I call lipoaugmentation,
re-inserted into the body according to a computer generated matrix.
You now need only place the subject on a high fat diet. When the
fat cells refill, the body assumes the desired profile."
"Notice that I have inserted a probe into the hipbone to
function as an dispenser. It serves as a reference point for the
matrix, and the re-introduced empty fat cells are deposited around
it automatically by the computer."
Nothing more was said as the machines performed their work
with mechanical efficiency. The surgeon readjusted the probe to
several points on Joe's hips and buttocks. Eventually, everything
was removed.
At this point two attendants came and rolled Joe over very
carefully. Joe stared up at the ceiling wondering what was going
on. He languished in daydreams, unable to focus on the activity
going on around him. He shut his eyes.
The surgeon, meanwhile, had gone to work on Joe's chest. The
needle was inserted down the center of each nipple to the
breastbone. The surgeon took notice that they were not the typical
vestigial nipples of most males, but rather they exhibited the
developmental characteristics of a pubescent female. The machine
completed it's assignment and the next surgeon entered the
operating pit.
