Indigenous Bolivians opting for plastic surgery to change their noses
In Bolivia, many indigenous people are turning to cosmetic surgery to reduce the size and shape
of their noses.
They say their prominent aquiline noses often attract comment and discrimination. These procedures are now readily available, with many surgeons advertising their services and even offering low-cost packages and discounts for poor people.
The popularity of nose surgery seems to contradict the promotion of indigenous pride by the country's first indigenous leader, Evo Morales. When he had an operation on his nose last year to help his breathing, he refused to have it cosmetically altered because he said he wanted to retain his ethnic appearance.
In the Bolivian capital La Paz, Outlook's Andres Schipani met 19-year-old Juan Carlos who is ethnically Aymara and spoke to him before and after his nose surgery.