Going under the knife for cosmetic procedures is increasingly common, but we ask the lads if they think it is necessary. Many women have body image issues and some don’t hesitate to go to such lengths to look better. But are men as critical as we think, or do they prefer their women, au naturale?
Dance maestro and founder of the Lourd Vijay Dance Studio, LV says, “When it comes to cosmetic surgery, I believe there are two sides of the same coin. It can be used to correct disfigured features and I think that’s wonderful. But otherwise, it only feeds a woman’s vanity. It doesn’t make sense to go under the knife if it’s not necessary.” He adds, “Even if you’re in the glamour industry, I think your career demands that you take care of your looks but not to this extent.”
Some however, are more supportive of women who opt for elective surgery. Model Zulfi Syed says, “Some of my friends are very insecure about their looks. Maybe they’ve gained weight or they don’t feel comfortable in certain clothes — they don’t even go out in public because they are so conscious. I think the decision to undergo a cosmetic procedure stems from a lot of things. So if someone really needs it, I try to be understanding about it.”
However, stand-up comic Praveen Kumar points out, “Women assume that men want them to undergo cosmetic surgery. It’s a different matter that women do, in order to please men but we are really quite happy with women as they are.” The comedian jokes, “The only reason I would encourage such a decision is because my dad is a plastic surgeon! So if Rakhi Sawant wants any more work done, she can go to him.”
“We certainly see a lot of women who have poor body image,” says Dr Lalit Choudhary, consultant, plastic and cosmetic surgery, Sir Gangaram Hospital, Delhi. “I would put it down to the peer group and the circles they move around in. I don’t think male opinion affects their decisions. Rather, it is the career woman with a disposable income who comes to us to get closer to her own image of the ideal female body.”