The Naked Truth

It 's sheer curiosity—and adipose—that leads me to the chambers of one of thecapital’s top cosmetic surgeons. The first question I am asked as I enter Dr SureshGupta’s clinic is whether I want to be admitted. Good heavens, no, but can I pleasemeet the doctor? Sure, but that’ll be Rs 200 first. A middle- aged rotund figurebrusquely asks me to sit and plunges straight into what it is that I want done. I’mtaken aback but play along—Doctor...my fat cheeks.... Even before I can finish, amirror is stuck under my nose and I’m asked to show him where exactly I want the slimfinish. But Dr..... Oh don’t worry, we just make two tiny holes and suck out the fat.It’s a one-day job. And doctor, I would like to know whether my abdomen and hips...abuzz, a nurse escorts me to a tiny room and asks me to strip in a deadpan voice. Dr Guptaexamines me very clinically and pronounces that evacuating a few fat cells would make meperfect. Good for the ego but...? Rs 10,000 for the face, 20,000 for the tummy and...well,maybe another 20,000 for the hips..."love handles" as he calls them. When can Ilet him know at the latest? Tomorrow, he says.

The scene shifts to Dr Bimla Rajan’s plush clinic. I repeat my story. She’spleasant, listens patiently to me. It’s a comfortable feeling. She inspects my face,and then asks me to show her my stomach. No stripping involved here. Your hips are justfine, she tells me. I’m surprised that she’s actually advising me not to trimunnecessarily. But there must be a catch—her fees perhaps? Well, I’m in for asurprise. Rs 20,000 for the face and abdomen. You mean 20 plus 20? No, it’s 20,000all inclusive. That’s reasonable but will I be able to afford it? She smilessympathetically and promises to help out. Think it over, she advises, for it’sserious stuff. Nobody asks me for the consultation fees till I walk back to the reception.It’s just Rs 200 and I walk out feeling beautiful. Dr Rajan has assured me thatI’m just the right weight for my age. So what if I have a fat face.