Dr. Bajaj: The Artist
Anu Bajaj, MD
As a plastic surgeon, my job often begins with marking a patient’s body before surgery—indicating the location of the nipple-areola complex, the umbilicus, or the amount of tissue to be removed. The marks I make are precise and deliberate, yet they’re often accompanied by the comment, “You must be an artist to do your job.”
The truth is, while I don’t need to be an artist to perform surgery, the two disciplines—surgery and art—reflect my shared appreciation for the imperfections in life. One patient, upon seeing my paintings, remarked, “Now I understand why you don’t see breasts as symmetrical. None of the breasts in your paintings are the same.” This comment struck me, because it captures the essence of my work in both surgery and art: we are not striving for perfection, but for balance, harmony, and subtle improvements that enhance natural beauty.
I paint the human figure because I am drawn to the imperfections that both models and artists bring to the canvas. In surgery, I focus on improving a patient’s comfort with their appearance, understanding that perfection is unattainable. What we can achieve, however, is a more authentic, confident version of themselves.
In many ways, my art has made me a better surgeon, and vice versa. My artistic practice informs my surgical work, teaching me patience and perspective. Surgery, in turn, sharpens my observation and attention to detail in my artwork.
One lesson I’ve learned both as a surgeon and an artist is the importance of taking a step back. Whether I’m painting or operating, it’s easy to get lost in the moment. But when I step away, even briefly—whether for minutes, hours, or days—I gain a clearer perspective. I see areas that need adjustment and can make small changes that lead to significant improvement.
This lesson was especially evident when I painted over an old canvas. Beneath the new layers of paint, the remnants of the previous piece illuminated the surface in a way that a blank canvas never could. At first, it appeared to be just a background, overshadowed by the bold strokes above. But on closer inspection, the underlying layers became a subtle glow, adding depth and dimension to the piece.
In plastic surgery, we are not starting with a blank canvas. We are working with the body—your body—illuminating what is already there, refining what exists beneath the surface to help you shine in a new way. In both art and surgery, the subtle changes make all the difference.
My Artwork
“Generation Gap”
Watercolor
“Guinness”
Oil on Canvas
“Adrian”
Oil on Canvas
“Santorini 2012”
Oil on Canvas
“Green Background”
Oil on Canvas
“Blue Background”
Oil on Canvas
“Pink Lady”
Oil on Canvas
“Shadows Beneath The Surface”
Oil on Canvas
“Relaxed and Confident”
Oil on Canvas