Cosmetic Fallacy: This month's Medical Letter has an item about cosmetic phalloplasty and its hazards. It appears to be a popular procedure. Do a Google search on it and no shortage of plastic surgeons pop up offering to do the same through surgery that all those spam emails offer through herbs and supplements. Phalloplasty has traditionally been used for those who suffer trauma or birth defects that leave the penis deformed. But evidently there's a booming business in the surgery for cosmetic sake only. Basically what they do is cut the ligaments holding the organ to the body, add some fat, redistribute a little skin, and presto there's the appearance at least of a larger endowment.

According to the Medical Letter the results are "generally disappointing," with complications that can be disfiguring - scarring, unsightly lumps, numbness, and erectile dysfunction. Just remember that if you're considering such a drastic move. Function over form.