KOCHI: When Dr Mohan Thomas, cosmetic surgeon, was practising in New York, he had the opportunity to reconstruct the face of none other than the King of Pop, Micheal Jackson himself. “He came to me after his 11th surgery, but I told his publicist that I couldn’t do it,” said Dr Thomas. “Simply because he was trying to be something he was not. He was a fabulous-looking young African boy and he wanted to change over to being a Caucasian. And that’s not congruous.”
That just described Dr Mohan Thomas’ attitude on the face of the most popular criticism that cosmetic surgery is subjected to - stripping the generation off its ethnic or native features.
The world renowned surgeon who is now the chairman and managing director of the Cosmetic Surgery Institute in Mumbai has a quick fact on offer too. After actors, who obviously top the list of people going under the knife, guess who or what group of people bag the coveted second spot in Mumbai, rechristened the Mecca of medicine? “People gearing up for a wedding!”
And that’s not the surprise. It’s not the bride and the groom, but the in-laws who rush to the hospitals during the pre-wedding season. “It’s stiff competition in Mumbai between the girl’s and boy’s families at a time when the family tree is getting analyzed,” laughed Dr Thomas.
During such times when mirrors are re-pitching the age-old question ‘Who’s the ‘fairest’ of them all’, making everyone queasy, Dr Mohan Thomas seems to have all the answers ready.
What made him take up cosmetic surgery?
After attending the medical school, I was intending on becoming a dermatologist. I wasn’t into reconstructive surgery. However, creativity is what drove me to become a cosmetic surgeon finally. I’m an artist, I like to paint and sculpt; when I look at someone, I know what features to tweak so that they look better. I do reverse engineering; I see the final product and re-work on that.
What are the most sought-after cosmetic surgeries done in India?
In India, liposuction is the most sought-after surgery owing to the carb-rich diet. Rhinoplasty comes second, followed by all kinds of other surgeries - post pregnancy lifts, the abdominoplasty or tummy tucks, hymenoplasty, breast reduction, implants, and so on. Among men, hair implant is popular because going bald is a big deal for them.
Does surgery enhance one’s confidence or make way for more insecurity?
Way back in 2003, this was a hush-hush affair done only by film actors. Now, starting from school teachers to IT employees, I have attended to a wide range of people. I believe it gives a massive boost to people’s confidence. Moreover, they stop worrying about their appearences. I don’t blame people for wanting to look better. Why wish for something if you can actually afford to get it done?
How do you decide if a patient needs the surgery?
I’ve a full-time psychiatrist who decides it for me. We do not encourage obsessive people with body dysmorphic disorder, unrealistic expectations or multiple surgeries. When people show me a photograph of Brad Pitt, the answer is ‘no’. You’ve really arrived on the scene when you know who not to operate. With a bad surgery, one can be jaded, psychologically affected, so I’d always say, look for the best in the industry. An uninformed patient is a bad patient for me.
What are you looking for in Kerala?
A spot, preferrably with good infrastructure and a team of investors with a vision. Kerala is the Dubai of India, with a great possibility for medical tourism to flourish.
How would you define beauty?
I’ve been a judge for many beauty pageants, and for me, beauty is all about attitude. I do think that being attractive is the need of the hour, but people shouldn’t get carried away. Growing old is inevitable, but looking good is achievable.