Finally, there is the issue of quality to consider. In the United States and Europe, where cosmetic surgery has been popular for over twenty years, there are medical boards and committees that govern implant quality and the doctors who administer them.
In India, on the other hand, the lack of regulation makes it difficult to rigorously monitor the procedure. Outside of the major metros, particularly Mumbai, there are very few properly trained and licensed specialists in breast augmentation.
But like Dr Desai says, with breast implants, you get what you pay for. There are highly trained specialists, working at top hospitals and medical centres, using the finest materials. All of this comes at a cost, of course, a steep one at that. "You can pay up to about 150,000 rupees for the highest quality implants," he says. Dr Dixit adds that an average cost would be somewhere in the vicinity of "Rs 75,000 to Rs 80,000."
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, is the issue of minors going in for implants. These highly sensationalised stories have been on the news, like the 17-year-old American cheerleader who died while getting implants, a high-school graduation present from her parents.
So, do these doctors face any moral quandaries? Turns out, all three we spoke to refuse to operate on patients who are under 18. Dr Dixit says, "Those under 18, they haven't undergone natural development. The breast isn't done growing. Frankly, they're not mature enough to make the decision."
Dr Desai concurs, saying, "I don't operate on kids for two reasons: One, the breasts often grow until a person is 18 years old, so there's still time for natural development and two, you're not legally allowed until you're 18, without permission from a guardian."
Dr Gupta has operated on a girl under twenty, but he too remains on the right side of the law. "I once performed surgery on a 19-year-old girl, who was about to do a lead role," he says.
Dr Dixit is quick to remind us, "These cases of young kids, are few and far-between. I've had a very small number approach me for consultations and it's best to discourage them till they're old enough to weigh their options carefully before taking a decision."
Caption: By her own admission, model/actress Carmen Electra didn't need breast implants, but opted for them because they were 'really trendy' at the time. Photograph: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Also see: Get back in shape after having a baby!
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