Africans flocking to South Africa for bigger boobs, butts surgery

Women from other parts of Africa are turning to local plastic surgeons for Kim Kardashian breasts, Jennifer Lopez derrières and Jessica Alba washboard tummies.

Plastic surgery safaris to South Africa are no longer the exclusive preserve of wealthy Americans and Europeans, and the beauty-conscious from elsewhere on the continent fork out up to R100000 for their body contouring "holiday".

Agencies specialising in medical safaris have seen a surge in the number of visitors from countries such as Tanzania, Zambia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Angola seeking breast enhancement procedures, tummy tucks and liposuction.

They are also known to use their recuperation time to shop for clothing, shoes, handbags, furniture and diamonds.

Sandton plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr Chetan Patel said breast reductions, augmentations and lifts were popular with clients from Mozambique and Angola. Liposuction and buttock augmentation were also in demand.

"Body shape in African culture is generally regarded as more important in terms of beauty than facial beauty is," said Patel.

"African people in general have far better facial skin than Caucasians and therefore facial surgery, Botox and fillers are far less sought-after."

He has had many requests for bottoms like those of Lopez and Kardashian. "One has to assess the request and the expectations of the patients and match this with the examination of their bodies to see if it is achievable."

Patel said plastic surgery was no longer regarded as the preserve of Western culture. "As more African people are exposed to media and the burgeoning influence of Hollywood, so their wish to emulate such culture has proportionately increased.

"Coupled with an increase in disposable income ... African people are opting for some of the luxuries that they would not have thought about."

Cape Town plastic surgeon Dr Paul Skoll said he was also seeing an increase in patients from Angola and Mozambique, with many of them seeking breast surgery, liposuction and tummy tucks.

He said he often received requests for Brazilian butt lifts to achieve the Kardashian, Lopez or Nicki Minaj look.

Skoll said he charged according to the requirements of each case.

Lorraine Melvill, head of Surgeon and Safari, an agency that arranges medical visits to South Africa, said most of her clients were from Zambia and many of them wanted buttock augmentations.

"We receive many requests, but they are not always realistic. The surgeon can only work with the 'canvas' he has and everyone's canvas is different."

Melvill said 90% of her business came from sub-Saharan Africa and included clients from Zimbabwe, Botswana and Angola.

She said breast procedures, liposuction and tummy tucks were popular among women younger than 30, and facelifts and eye surgery, as well as cosmetic dentistry, were in demand among women over the age of 50.

They pay anything between R4400 to R77000 for procedures. Accommodation at a four-star Cape Town guesthouse can cost R13000 for a seven-day package and R19000 for a 12-day stay.

"Most clients travelling from Africa also use the opportunity to shop," said Melvill.

"Some have invested in property, mainly in Johannesburg. Our Africa clients usually go for consumables like furniture."

Denise Milner of Surgical Bliss, a medical agency in Cape Town, said the bulk of her business came from Angola, Tanzania, Kenya and Nigeria.

"Africans don't usually go for facelifts. They want breast procedures, liposuction and tummy tucks," said Milner, who also arranges fertility treatments.

She said her African clients spent between R40000 and R100000 on procedures - sometimes two per trip - and accommodation, usually at luxury hotels or apartments. "They don't spend the entire two weeks they are here in a hospital bed. They're into shopping and eating out."

The superrich splurge on diamonds but others buy clothes, handbags and shoes, often returning home with extra luggage as well as their new look.

govendersu@sundaytimes.co.za