We’ve all seen the glossy before-and-afters on Instagram: a tummy tuck in Turkey, a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL)in Mexico, or a budget-friendly nose job in Thailand often sold as part of a “surgery holiday” package.
But behind these airbrushed posts lies a sobering truth: the growing wave of medical tourism for cosmetic procedures is costing people far more than they bargained for, sometimes, even their lives.
Between 2009 and 2022, 93 US citizens died in the Dominican Republic following cosmetic surgery, mainly due to fat embolisms, according to CDC data.
In Turkey, at least 28 British nationals have lost their lives since 2019 from complications after cosmetic procedures. And those are just the reported deaths. So, what’s happening behind the scenes of these so-called beauty bargains?
And why are South Africans increasingly drawn to foreign clinics despite having top-tier surgeons at home?
We spoke to Professor Chrysis Sofianos, one of South Africa’s leading plastic and reconstructive surgeons, who is sounding the alarm: “These aren’t isolated tragedies; they’re symptoms of a much bigger, dangerous trend.”
The red flags we ignore
Many patients travel abroad hoping to save money or chase the results they’ve seen on influencers.
But what social media doesn’t show is the rushed consultations, language barriers, lack of follow-up care and the sometimes illegal activity that happens under the knife.
Sofianos says, “There have been reports of patients returning from surgery in Turkey missing organs, like kidneys, removed and likely sold on the black market. That’s how far this has gone.”
Even when surgeries go “well”, complications can arise: delayed wound healing, infections, seromas, implant malposition, or worse.
These risks are amplified when you’re on a plane two days later or recovering in an unlicensed hotel with no medical staff on standby.
The real cost of “cheap”
While a Brazilian Butt Lift might cost R40 000 abroad versus R90 000 locally, Sofianos says, “Patients don’t factor in emergency revisions, hospitalisation, or specialist consultations.
“These procedures aren’t actually cheap in the long run. Patients often end up paying more to fix botched procedures at home,” he explains. “I’ve had to perform revision surgeries, drain fluid build-ups, and treat life-threatening infections, all from complications that could’ve been avoided with proper care.”
To make matters worse, most medical aid schemes won’t cover complications from elective overseas procedures, leaving patients with the full bill and often emotional trauma.
What you’re not paying for overseas?
The upfront price tag may seem enticing, but overseas clinics often cut costs by rushing pre-op assessments, packing multiple surgeries into a single day, and offering minimal post-op care. Safety is sacrificed for volume.
“In South Africa, plastic surgeons go through more than a decade of rigorous training, much of it in high-pressure trauma and burn units,” Sofianos explains.
“We’re not just cosmetic doctors, we’re surgeons trained to handle complex, life-threatening cases.”
He adds that local pricing reflects this comprehensive journey: hospital-grade anaesthesia, sterile theatres, certified teams, and personal aftercare. “It’s not just about the hour in the operating room, it’s about the whole process, start to finish.”
Influencer illusions: The role of social media
Many people are swayed by filtered images and sponsored posts, where influencers glamorise their “surgery journeys” abroad.
“But what you don’t see are the complications, the regret, the revisions, and the silent suffering,” Sofianos warns
Some influencers are paid either in cash or surgery discounts to promote foreign clinics.
This marketing often blurs the line between lifestyle content and medical advice, which can be dangerous.
South Africa, a hidden powerhouse in cosmetic surgery
Despite the lure of overseas options, South Africa offers world-class cosmetic surgery with global-standard safety. Local surgeons are academically credentialed, clinically skilled, and operate under some of the strictest medical guidelines in the world.
So why don’t more people know this? “It’s a knowledge gap,” Sofianos says.
“International clinics are louder on social media. But the quality of care, long-term safety, and cultural understanding you get here? It’s unmatched.”
What needs to change? According to Sofianos, it’s time for a shift, from both the industry and the public.
- Regulation: Stricter laws around who can advertise cosmetic procedures, and how.
- Public education: Clearer messaging on verifying surgeon qualifications. (Look for board certification via the HPCSA or APRASSA.)
- Transparency: Surgeons need to speak up more, through public talks, patient forums, and verified content online.
If you’re considering cosmetic surgery, whether here or abroad, Sofianos has one piece of advice: “Choose your surgeon like you would choose a long-term healthcare partner. Not someone running a weekend special. If something feels rushed, unclear, or too good to be true, pause.
“Your body deserves more than a discount.”
