The punitive damages against Dr. Larry Schle singer, who has offices on O'ahu, the Big Island and Maui, included $189,000 for his conduct up to the surgery on Maui on Sept. 29, 1997, and $378,000 for his conduct afterward.

Maui resident Sharon Johnston, a former professional bodybuilder and Ms. Olympia contestant who has been a fitness trainer for celebrities such as Sophia Loren, Tom Arnold and Donna Summer, told the jury she hired Schlesinger to improve implants received on the Mainland in 1988. But instead of placing the implants under the muscle, as agreed, Schlesinger put them on top.

Schlesinger testified that Johnston agreed to the change right before the surgery, and couldn't remember the conversation because she had taken a drug that caused retrograde amnesia. Two of his nurses testified that the patient had agreed to the change.

The four-week trial included testimony from two former employees who said Schlesinger routinely changed records and put difficult cases in a "problem file.''

Schlesinger countered that those witnesses were disgruntled former employees.

"We will appeal this verdict, which simply is not supported by the testimony of credible witnesses who heard the patient give her permission for the procedure," Schlesinger said today. "We also will fight the attempt by disgruntled former employees to damage my reputation with unsupportable allegations."

Although attorney Michael Green asked the jury for a $1.6 million award, he said he was satisfied with the verdict.

"We think it sends a message that the patient does have a right to control her body. And if you falsify patients' records, you better be prepared to pay,'' said Denise Sangster, an attorney who worked with Green on the case.