Jojo Robinson, the reality TV star from “The Real Housewives of Durban”, is back in the spotlight as she gets ready for another cosmetic procedure. This comes nearly a year after her much-talked-about deep plane face and neck lift.
Known for her candour and self-assuredness, Robinson recently took to Instagram to announce her next surgery.
“Goodbye, thunder thighs… I’m over you. You may exit the Jojo,” she joked, revealing she had checked into the hospital for a thigh procedure.
But beyond the humour, her decision reflects something deeper, a growing openness about body modification and self-image in modern celebrity culture.
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On her Instagram account, Robinson revealed the one-year results of a “life-changing” deep plane face and neck lift.
The procedure is similar to the one used by Hollywood stars Kris Jenner, Christina Aguilera and Lindsay Lohan.
Sharing a before-and-after photo, she posted: “I was made to believe on social media that having a facelift at 37 was slightly crazy, and although it probably is, my reply is, why not? There is no definitive age for anyone for anything.”
In 2024, Robinson took a bold step by dissolving all her facial fillers and entrusting her transformation to acclaimed South African plastic surgeon Dr Paul McGarr, whom she dubbed “the GOAT of surgery.”
Reflecting on the journey, she described the change as nothing short of “life-changing”, saying she feels more confident and at peace with herself than ever before.
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“Nearly one year since I dissolved all my filler and did my life-changing lift,” she shared on Instagram. “I recently looked back at videos pre-surgery, and I can’t believe the difference.”
While some questioned why she would get such a procedure at 37, Robinson was unapologetic. “People thought it was crazy, but my answer is, why not? There’s no rulebook for when someone should do something that makes them feel better. If you can afford it and it makes you happy, age shouldn’t matter.”
Jojo’s openness doesn’t stop at her results; she’s also candid about the price tag and recovery. She shared that her facelift cost between R130 000 and R200 000, with the final amount determined by the surgeon, hospital and anaesthesia choices.
“The recovery is extremely long, and it gets worse before it gets better,” she admitted. “Pain level minimal. Discomfort lots. The compression is horrible.”
Still, she called it one of the best decisions she’s ever made. “It keeps getting better. I’ve never felt more like myself.”
Her next surgery, she explained, isn’t purely cosmetic but also practical. Not having any thigh gap means my legs rub constantly together,” she said. “Also though… I mean, summer is coming.”
Robinson’s openness is part of a larger trend where South African celebrities and influencers are helping to destigmatise cosmetic surgery by talking about it honestly.
Like Khanyi Mbau, who also had a facelift to achieve a “FaceTune look in real life,” Jojo’s transparency has sparked meaningful conversations about self-image and confidence.
Her followers flooded her social media with messages of support and curiosity. One fan commented, “Thanks to you, I had my bleph and chin done on Friday. You and your husband have removed the stigma attached to wanting to look your best.”
Cosmetic procedures are increasingly being seen as tools for confidence rather than perfection. When done for the right reasons, self-satisfaction, comfort, or identity alignment, they can enhance well-being. The key is emotional readiness and realistic expectations.
Robinson has always been upfront about her body journey.
In an interview on “The Carol Ofori Podcast”, she revealed she’s undergone more than 20 cosmetic procedures, including six major surgeries.
These range from three breast augmentations (the third combined with a lift after her son’s birth), a tummy tuck, and multiple liposuction sessions, to non-surgical treatments like thread lifts, microblading, lip fillers and tattoos.
“I’ve tried a lot,” she admitted in the interview, “but I always make sure I do my research, ask the right questions, and recover properly.”
Jojo’s openness has sparked widespread discussions about cosmetic surgery, both within the entertainment industry and beyond. Her transparency has invited praise from fans and peers alike, with many lauding her for normalising these conversations.
Under her Instagram post, one follower shared: “Stunning! Thanks to you, I had my blepharoplasty and chin done last Friday. You and your husband have removed the stigma attached to wanting to look your best.”
Another wrote: “Watching this video made me fearless! I hope my little sister sees it and goes to remove that non-cancerous lump in her breast.”
In her words, “There’s no definitive age for anything. If you want to look your best now, then do it now.”
