Diwali Nose Jobs, Tummy Tucks the Rage

[Guest guest]

NEW DELHI (Oct 20, 2006): Image-conscious Indians have been flocking

to cosmetic surgery clinics across the capital for new noses, tummy

tucks and larger breasts in the run-up to the country's biggest Hindu

festival, Diwali.

 

Plastic surgeons say they have seen a 20-to-40 percent rise in the

number of clients in the month leading up to the October 21 festival

of lights, seen as the Hindu equivalent of Christmas.

 

As offices and homes across New Delhi, a bustling metropolis of 14

million people, are decorated with lights, shops offer discounts on

sequined saris and gold jewelry, other Indians are looking for the

ultimate makeover.

 

"We have more clients requesting cosmetic procedures at this time of

year and I have done around 15 nose surgeries alone this month

compared to eight normally," says Vijay Kakkar, a cosmetic surgery

consultant at Delhi-based private hospitals Mata Chanan Devi and Max

Healthcare.

 

"Many want to give themselves a gift for Diwali but also there are a

lot of parties during the festive season and people naturally want to

look their best."

 

Holidays often taken at this time of year provide a recovery period

away from the view of colleagues.

 

Healing for the most basic procedures -- such a remodeled nose --

takes around two weeks by which time swelling and bruising has

disappeared, say doctors.

 

The most popular surgery among Indians are nose jobs with some clients

asking for noses like famous Bollywood actors.

 

Cosmetic surgeons say Bollywood heartthrob, Shah Rukh Khan's nose is

popular2 amongst male clients, while many women ask for a nose like

actress and former Miss World beauty Aishwarya Rai.

 

Surgeons say there is generally a rise of about five to 10 percent in

the number of procedures ahead of the festive season, but this year

has been unprecedented.

 

There are about a dozen private hospitals in the capital offering to

perfect physical features and thousands of procedures are carried out

every year.

 

EVERYONE'S DOING IT

 

Plastic surgery is gaining popularity in India with the emergence of a

booming middle-class who have more disposable income for

"non-essential spending" as well as more awareness from satellite

television, the internet and newspapers.

 

Cosmetic surgery clients -- who were largely made up of the capital's

affluent elite five years ago -- now comprise students, call center

workers and middle-class housewives, say surgeons.

 

"We have clients from across the board now," said Suresh Gupta, head

of aesthetic surgery at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

 

"Some are college graduates who want to look better for job

interviews, others are housewives and some are just young people who

now have money to spend thanks to employment with all these

multi-national companies who are setting up operations."

 

Private clinics offer procedures such as rhinoplasty (nose

reconstruction), tummy tucks, liposuction as well as breast

augmentation and reduction for prices five times less than offered in

Western countries.

 

"It's becoming quite affordable now," says R.K. Seth, a plastic

surgeon at Delhi's Apollo hospital.

 

"You can get a nose job for around 35,000 rupees ($770) and a face

lift for about 100,000 rupees which is cheaper than in the U.S. or the

U.K."

 

Surgeons add that about 30 percent of their clients now come from

Europe and the United States with the emergence of India's medical

tourism sector -- offering cheaper medical care but promising

world-class service.

 

For suburban housewife and mother of two, Meena Bedi, a nose job a

month ago has given her new confidence ahead of the festive season.

 

"I was always paranoid about my nose. It was just too big and I always

felt people were too busy looking at my nose and not paying attention

to what I was saying," said 34-year-old Bedi.

 

"It's still healing, but I can see that it's already better than

before and feel good that I will be able to go to Diwali functions

without being so self-conscious."

 

SOURCE: News. Nose jobs, tummy tucks the rage, By Nita Bhalla

URL: http://news./s/nm/20061020/od_nm/india_diwali1_dc_1

[Jemeon]

It has realy very wonderful information oyu have give here. I have read your full post and think it is good for many peoples.

 

Thanks!