In an alarming trend, experts have sounded the alarm on the rising number of practitioners marketing themselves as “cosmetic surgeons” or “cosmetic specialists” in South Africa, a title that lacks any recognition by the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
It is revealed that this marketing ploy, often coupled with cut-price offers, has given rise to a surge of life-altering botched surgeries and costly legal battles.
Professor Chrysis Sofianos, a prominent plastic surgeon, cautions that the dazzling filtered photos and persuasive marketing tactics prevalent on social media obscure the significant risks associated with procedures performed by non-specialists.
“Only specialists in plastic and reconstructive surgery are trained and recognised to perform complex operations safely. Anything else puts patients at risk of lifelong complications,” he warns.
Sofianos details that the international context sheds light on this burgeoning crisis, with the recent study published in the Aesthetic Surgery Journal projecting that cosmetic surgeries performed by residents experience a staggering revision rate of 22.2%.
This statistic reveals that more than one in five patients require additional corrective surgery following procedures carried out by less experienced practitioners.
It is also revealed that the Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons of Southern Africa (APRASSA) has also raised alarm over unqualified practitioners offering invasive operations such as liposuction, breast reductions, and Brazilian butt lifts.
Poor execution of these procedures can result in devastating consequences, leaving patients scarred, disfigured, or financially burdened by corrective surgeries costing hundreds of thousands of rand.
APRASSA highlights that a major contributor to the crisis is the confusion surrounding titles. “Cosmetic surgeon” and “aesthetic surgeon” are not recognised medical specialities in South Africa.
“These are not isolated events. They reflect a dangerous pattern of unqualified individuals performing invasive surgeries without the requisite training or facilities to ensure patient safety,” Sofianos cautions.
He further advises individuals considering cosmetic surgery to meticulously verify their doctor’s credentials via the HPCSA iRegister portal and to check for membership with APRASSA.
“South Africa has world-class specialists, but patients must do their homework. Don’t trust titles, don’t trust filtered photos, and don’t trust bargain prices. Only trust proper credentials – your life and your safety may depend on it,” Sofianos concludes.
Saturday Star