Under the knife

Ms T uncovers the world of plastic surgery and why we might be doing it for all the wrong reasons.

It is a biological fact that after the age of 35, our bodies undergo some harsh changes that can take a toll on one’s self esteem. The appearance of fine lines on the face, loose skin and pigmentation are all early signs of aging one can expect to see soon after crossing the 30 year milestone and while there a number of products that can be used to counter it, their effects are never permanent and almost always accompanied by some kind of side-effects.

But how important is it to look five years younger than one’s actual age and remain the centre of attention, even after 40? And what can one do to achieve their desired appearance when all drugs and diets have failed? They can resort to cosmetic surgery.

Although most patients would sooner die than admit to it, the number of Pakistanis willing to go under the knife to fix, enhance or simply maintain their physical attributes has risen exponentially over the past few years. There was a time when plastic surgery was associated primarily with the restoration of disfigurements resulting from trauma or congenital anomalies. The purpose was to make them less apparent or less unsightly and give the patient a chance at a normal life. Plastic surgery in today’s world has become the one-stop answer to everything from thin lips, protruding chins, love handles to  asymmetrical ears and anything else that can be wrong with a body. Not satisfied with something? Don’t worry. You are just a surgery away from an improved version of it.



That is not to say that plastic surgery does nothing but fuel vanity. Technological advancements which can reverse birth defects and heal even the worst of burns lend credence to the miraculous benefits of such procedures. The efforts of local surgeons and the extensive range of procedures they now offer must be acknowledged. They have made what was once impossible in Pakistan much more convenient and somewhat painless. And keeping in mind the numerous complications that may arise during any surgical operation and the recovery period that follows, one must also commend the men and women brave enough to go through with it. The problem with the plastic surgery culture isn’t the actual surgery itself but why we have started to feel the need for it.

Television media  

“One of the main reasons why people seek cosmetic surgery is today’s media and this celebrity culture that we are surrounded by,” says 23-year-old journalist Ayesha Sami*. “People — especially youngsters — live vicariously through their celebrity idols. We see our favourite actress get a lip enhancement done and another looking great with a brand new nose and wish to do so ourselves. People always want to emulate the looks and lifestyles of the rich and famous and surgery is just one part of it.” As the seemingly omnipresent media continues to expand further, plastic surgery is fast becoming an acceptable topic of discussion here in Pakistan as more and more celebrities are now endorsing it. Some have also launched their own surgical products and clinics where customers can benefit from all that the field has to offer. Most recently, a prominent fashion model made an appearance at a morning show to administer Botox and derma-filler procedures before a live audience herself! The same model also runs her own beauty clinic which offers a complete range of services including the traditional hair and makeup along with Botox injections, dermabrasion, lip augmentation and other procedures, etc. “Since surgery is evidently not a taboo anymore, why not do it?” adds Ayesha. The explosion of television shows like Dr. 90210, Extreme Makeover and Nip/Tuck , which depict regular people undergoing cosmetic surgery, make the surgical processes appear ‘okay’ and easier than they actually are, thereby tugging at the emotions of the average self-conscious viewer and calling them towards surgery.

It can be argued that the media inadvertently promotes cosmetic surgery further by reinforcing beauty ideals that the average person is not born with but wants to fulfil. Terms like ‘size zero’ and ‘fair and lovely’ are part of regular fashion jargon and lead to inferiority complexes which encourage people to resort to cosmetic enhancement for the features they desire. The example of 25-year-old Natasha Khan* serves as good example of the extents to which people are willing to go to look better. “I had always wanted to be thin and had tried just about everything from diets to exercise and pills but nothing ever worked,” she shares. “One day, my mom and I visited a doctor who introduced us to the concept of ‘Sleeve Gastrectomy’ and instantly, I said yes. Since then, I have lost almost 30 lbs and feel happy every time I look into a mirror.”

Botox and facial enhancement procedures are just some of the less invasive services on offer. Liposuctions, breast augmentations, rhinoplasty, nose corrections, facial rejuvenation, transplants, face, arm and ear lifts and other invasive surgeries are other common procedures available at clinics found in ‘posh’ residential areas. Although a large part of our population still considers cosmetic surgery to be unorthodox and unnatural, many people like, Shazia Haque*, mother of three, remain in favour. “If one has the money and isn’t afraid of the operation, they should definitely go for it regardless of what anyone says. It is my body and only I have the right to decide what I want to do to it.”



Social media

It is impossible to speak of the portrayal of plastic surgery in media and not touch upon the effects of social media, namely networking websites like Facebook and Instagram where users upload pictures for the world to see.  Social media is all about seeing and being seen which fuels our vanity. There have been documented results of how scanning others’ social pages can perpetrate envy and even self-loathing in a person. In much the same way, people are now requesting medical procedures as a result of how they want to be seen online. “You never know when your friends might spot you on Facebook so it’s good to be looking your best all the time. And that, for some people, includes surgery,” says 39-year-old mother of two, Zainab Mohsin*. The fact of the matter is that people become influenced by the images they view most often which in the past used to be mostly celebrities but now includes their friends, co-workers and peers as well. Constant reminders of good looks and appearance can raise the desire to correct physical flaws via surgery.

Technology

The advancement of technology has only spurred the acceptance of cosmetic medicine and made the medical procedures all the more accessesible. One injection of Botox, for example, can be bought for just Rs 16,000 and is required once in four to six months only. And what’s more, it only takes about two days for its effects to manifest themselves fully, smoothing out all wrinkles and fine lines without a scar.

Whether it is natural defects or vanity, cosmetic surgery helps numerous people overcome their insecurities and lead a harmonious life. The missing link, however, is inner beauty. While plastic surgery has indeed improved the lives of many across the world, one cannot ignore the fact that it places more emphasis on material attributes than what should really matter. It isn’t the type of surgery one wants or why they want it. “Everyone is beautiful in their own, natural way,” suggests Zainab. “But for some people, our appearance is more important than anything else. They aren’t wrong in seeking medical help to attain their beauty ideals, so long as they remember their inner selves throughout.”

*Names have been changed to protect privacy

Published in The Express Tribune, Ms T, March 23^rd, 2014.