Upon her return to Australia, Cr Ban, then a 23-year-old lawyer, gained international notoriety when she authored a book titled God Made Me Small, Surgery Made Me Tall under the pseudonym Sara Vornamen. She outed herself as the real author this morning. Cr Ban, who claims to be a barrister but is not listed with the Bar Association of Queensland, dismissed criticism her decision to undergo the surgery sent a bad message about body image. "This is purely a personal matter. I don't know what all the fuss is about. I just want this (media attention) to go away," Cr Ban told brisbanetimes.com.au this morning. "I work so hard for my community. Why isn't that noticed?

"Media are camping outside my mother's house so I'm just in hiding at the moment. "Most people don't discuss their personal medical issues, and I wouldn't either but for the fact that it was discovered that I was (Sara Vornamen). "I don't pay attention too much to what people say about me on a personal level at all. I've been elected to represent the community, so I am prepared to accept criticism about what I do in my role as a councillor. But when it comes to personal matters like this, just as much as I don't cast judgement on people, I don't like people to do that as well." However, she admitted she would have not considered surgery if she had been in public office at the time. "A politician's job is to represent the community to which they have been elected. I have a very clear line of what my role is and what is of a public nature and what is of a private nature.

"I had this operation prior to getting into local government. I had no inkling at the time that I would get into council." Born in Israel, Cr Ban has been a councillor since 2004, first with Beaudesert and now Logan. She lost a bid for the federal seat of Forde for the Nationals in the 2007 election. "The way I was eight years ago, is very different to the way I am now. With age, I have become more comfortable in my own skin," Ms Ban said. Queensland Premier Anna Bligh attracted similar attention after she admitted to having botox injections, although Cr Ban said that, too, was no one else's business.

"Just because we're in the public eye, it doesn't mean that we're less entitled to a private life," she said. "I am comfortable in my skin. I'm far more happy with who I am today than I was 10 years ago, because there is so much pressure, particularly on young girls, to be a certain way and feel a certain way. I think with age you mellow and become comfortable." brisbanetimes.com.au