This week, Anne looks at the increasing number of men opting for the scalpel.  Has male vanity finally gone too far?

Men and plastic surgery

We're all getting pretty used to the debate among women about plastic surgery.  But I had to stifle a hypocritical chortle when I read about Mike Briggs (see page 13), the 56 year old Yorkshire man who's had his eyelids done and could soon be heading for a facelift.  Male vanity, I sniggered!  Then I realised that the only two of my friends who've had plastic surgery are men.

One is a good mate who used to be my personal trainer.  He's tall, gorgeous, very heterosexual and has had exactly the same operation as Mike - a reduction of the droopiness around the eyelids.  When he announced he was having the op, I told him he was mad.  His eyes looked fine to me.  But he was insistent, saying he worked in an industry where looks were important.  He could mould his body into that of an Olympic athlete, but - without a surgeon - he couldn't do anything about his face.  Many of his women friends, his girlfriend included, tried to talk him out of it.  Yet most of us would have defended our own rights to visit a plastic surgeon.  So why couldn't we accept that men have vanities too?  Why should it only be a woman's prerogative?  And yet, isn't there something a little off about men who spend too long in the bathroom?

I went to visit my friend at his home, a week later.  His head was twice its usual size and he was still drinking through a straw.  For the first time, I realised what a dangerous and painful business cosmetic surgery can be.  I wish I could tell you that, a couple of months later, he looked years younger but in fact, I never did see the difference.  Except in his demeanour.  Suddenly he was brighter, more confident and his career took off.  His girlfriend said their sex life got a terrific boost.  He felt as though he looked so much better that life did indeed improve, even if cynics like me couldn't see any transformation.

My other male friend has liposuction, which reduced his waistline and made him a must-have party guest, because he'll tell you anything you've ever wanted to know about the whole process - right down to the goriest details!

Mike says his mum's initial reaction was, 'Be careful, I raised you to be a man'.  So that's what we're all scared of!  My mother reminded me that there was a similar outcry when after-shaves first came on the market.  Real men wouldn't wear them.  British men made do with soap and water, then an army of US soldiers were posted over here in the war - and a whole generation of British girls learned that men could smell nice and still be macho.

As for me, I still love Robert Redford, even though his craggy face now looks more sculpted.  He insists its all natural and the secret is surely subtlety.  And never get hooked on the experience.  Those who do, end up with such fixed smiles that they can't even laugh at themselves!