Cosmetic surgery trend in Manipur

Dr Palin Kh *

"World's biggest power is the youth and the beauty of a woman" – Chanakya

These days cosmetic surgery is no longer an exclusive beauty secret of rich and famous. Up until fairly recently, plastic surgery was largely viewed as an eccentric luxury, not only in Manipur but also in more westernised parts of the country. It carried a stigma to an extent that people often went to great lengths to conceal their surgical self-improvement efforts.

In addition to the misguided fear of social ostracism, people of the state desirous of undergoing cosmetic reconstruction were fettered by an utter lack of awareness of the processes involved. Association of Plastic Surgeons of India (APSI) observes 15th July every year as National Plastic Surgery Day for awareness program.

It is not uncommon to encounter patients on the eve of undergoing the operation to anxiously enquire what type of plastic material will be used. "For me, please put a good plastic material". "If we go close to fire after plastic surgery, will it melt?" These are the few words from patients that plastic surgeons normally encounter during their practices.

The reality is that plastic materials are not used in plastic surgery nor will the materials melt. The word 'Plastic' comes from Greek word ' Plastique'/ 'Plastikos' which means 'fit for moulding'. For example an amputated nose is reconstructed from the forehead skin.

Plastic surgery is artificially divided into Reconstructive and Cosmetic/ Aesthetic though the two often overlap. Reconstructive surgery aims at restoring function of an abnormal organ. The Cosmetic/ Aesthetic surgery is for enhancement of self esteem by operating on a normal organ.

That is not to undermine the fact that popularity of coming under the knife to enhance one's facial and physical appearance is growing leaps and bounds. And Manipur is not an exception. The benefit of cosmetic surgery is to offer 'feeling better'.

'Everybody wants to live longer and look younger.' 'We get what we want'. This is the foundation of all cosmetic surgery and anti aging medicine. There is no age and sex bar in it.

About a decade back only 20 per cent of all plastic surgeries were cosmetic surgeries and the rest 80 per cent were reconstructive surgeries. However, the ratio has undergone a substantial shift and stands at 50-50 indicating that the demand for cosmetic surgery has increased.

Rising incomes, increasing consumer awareness and easy availability of procedures are the driving factors of cosmetic surgery. Some 50-60 percent of the total cosmetic surgery tourists annually end up in Mumbai. Chennai is another cosmetic hub coming up very fast.

According to ISAPS (International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) the most popular cosmetic procedures in the world are Lipoplasty ( Liposuction, Fat Injection)-23.0%, Breast augmentation -15.9%, Blepharoplasty(Eyelid surgery)-11.5%, Rhinoplasty (Nose Reshaping)- 10.4%, Abdominoplasty - 7.2%, Breast reduction (women)-5.8%

Most popular cosmetic procedures in India are Lipoplasty, Rhinoplasty, Blepharoplasty Breast augmentation, Abdominoplasty .

At Shija Hospitals, Manipur the most popular procedures are Blepharoplasty (Creating Eyelid Folds or removing eyelid bags), Rhinoplasty (Nose Reshaping), Tattoo excision, Lasers, Liposuction, Hair Transplantation.

There is an exponential increase in eyelid fold surgery in Manipur in the last three years amongst the age group of 20 to 50 years. Male constitutes 20 percent in this group. One of the main reasons why people want these kinds of eyes is because of the influence of Hollywood and Bollywood and the general feeling that eyes without eyelid fold (Asian eyes) has a sharper, angry and harsh look.

Patients sometimes bring photos of their favourite actors and actresses and demand eyes and nose like theirs. Shija might be doing the highest number of eyelid surgery in the country because of the higher number of Asian eye in the region. Eyelid surgery is the most popular cosmetic surgery in South Korea.

The cost of cosmetic surgery is relatively cheaper in Manipur than in metros. A large number of north-eastern people settled in Bangalore and Chennai and even Mumbai are now flying down to Imphal for such surgeries at the hospital.

The most interesting finding is that the highway bandhs/economic blockade in the last few years in the state have not affected the increasing trend of cosmetic surgery. The rise in the number of cosmetic surgeries also indicates improved economy of the state.

Often for the young people, parents are blackmailed into funding the surgeries — with children refusing to go to college or to work if they do not oblige the amount. Parents ultimately give in because they feel their children would have better self-esteem or would be happier.

Among clients who have undergone such surgeries include families of high ranking executives, prominent actresses of Manipuri films and Nupisabi.

Cosmetic surgery is not without complications. The most common complication is 'unsatisfied' clients due to disparity between the expectation and result delivered. Unrealistic expectation is ruled out and counselled before any procedure. After all 'Beauty of mind is the best cosmetic.'

Life becomes very stressful because of competition in every field and threat to life, thus raising the importance of having a stable mind. We have to beautify our mind with positive thoughts. It has become all the more necessary for us to balance the mind, body and spirit. The choice is ours.

'Think of all the beauties still left around you and be happy'. – Anne Frank