Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, who has not been seen in public for one month, has undergone more substantial cosmetic surgery than was originally reported, it was claimed today.
One of Mr Berlusconi's doctors was quoted as saying last week that the prime minister had had "a little bit" of plastic surgery around his eyes during the Christmas holidays.
But weekly L'Espressomagazine said a pair of US surgeons had taken the scalpel to Mr Berlusconi's face, neck and eyebrows. "The prime minister made a radical choice and asked for a face lift and a nice touch up to wrinkles on his neck," the left-leaning magazine said.
It added that the operation, led by a top Californian surgeon, took place in a private Swiss clinic just before New Year's Eve.
The prime minister's office declined to comment on the report, but said Mr Berlusconi was scheduled to appear at a rally on Saturday to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the creation of his political party Forza Italia (Go Italy).
The 67-year-old Italian leader has not been seen in public since a news conference on December 20th and his vanishing act has become a source of major gossip in Italy's squares and cafes.
Considered one of Italy's most image-conscious politicians, advisers are always on hand to make sure Mr Berlusconi's television appearances are carefully stage-managed.
Last year, the Panoramanews magazine, which is owned by his family media empire, caused a stir when it touched up his bald patch for a front cover, giving him a new head of hair.