Plastic surgery in South Africa - including the "medical tourism" business catering to those who want a nip and tuck or nose job during their holiday - is on the increase.
Plastic surgery is a multibillion-dollar industry that has gained much exposure through TV reality shows like Extreme Makeover and popular series like Nip/Tuck. There are more than 100 plastic surgeons in South Africa.
Now not only are more and more South Africans going under the scalpel, say plastic surgeons, but an increasing number of "medical tourists" are visiting our shores to have work done. The most popular destinations are Cape Town and Johannesburg.
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Excellent surgeons and a favourable exchange rate are some of the reasons given for the location being a major drawcard. Other countries competing for the same market include Mexico, Cuba, India and Thailand.
Excellent surgeons and a favourable exchange rate Locally, it has prompted a number of companies that deal exclusively with these tourists to open up shop. They act as go-betweens and take care of every detail of the tourists' trip - from air tickets, accommodation, doctors' appointments and chauffeurs to a chaperone and a "recuperation holiday". There are websites dedicated to these "surgery safaris". Some are run by companies and others by plastic surgeons. They come complete with information on various surgeries and where to stay, with stunning pictures of the Cape and wildlife images.
Some doctors even have consultation offices in the UK.
Articles in overseas magazines and newspapers have appeared, headlined: "Sun, sea, sand ... and surgery", "Botox in the Bush" and "Chop of the Bushveld".
Local surgeons say popular requests from women include liposuction, breast surgery (enlargement, lifts and reductions) and facial rejuvenation surgery. Non-surgical options were also very popular, including botox injections to weaken muscles which cause wrinkles and filler injections.
Surgery and safari
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