Cosmetic Surgery Cosmetic Vacations South

Cosmetic Vacations in South Africa

By Hilmar Luckhoff, MD

Published on August 09, 2007

A few years ago, people went to small clinics for extended periods of time in secret when having plastic surgery. But today, plastic surgery is simpler, much safer and oftentimes convenient enough that it can be incorporated into your vacation itinerary.

"Cosmetic vacations" to South Africa have proven to be appealing to both the local and international visitor, especially with the rising cost of plastic surgery in Europe and the US. With the advent of the cosmetic vacation, a person may now fly in, take a few days to see the sights before undergoing the procedure, and then spend a few days afterwards to recuperate and relax. One burgeoning center for cosmetic vacationers is Cape Town, which was recently voted by readers of Conde Naste Traveller Magazine as the number one value-for-money city in the world.

Cape Town

Cape Town hosts a number of clinics dedicated to the highest standards of surgical excellence and patient welfare. These clinics offer an extensive range of both surgical and nonsurgical procedures, in addition to skin care therapy. The number one goal of these clinics is to provide each patient with appropriate treatment for his or her particular condition. Many of the finest board certified plastic surgeons, dermatologists, and skin care therapists in the whole of Southern Africa are based in Cape Town. In addition to clinics, visitors to Cape Town can choose to seek out the services of a plastic surgeon at top hospitals; either way, they're in good hands.

South Africa is becoming more and more popular with foreign patients due to the excellent training our surgeons receive. South Africa's surgeons are in strong demand worldwide (particularly in Canada, Australia and the UK). Another reason to travel to South Africa is the very favorable currency exchange rate, which allows foreign visitors to choose the best surgeon for the medical procedure they will be undergoing. Visitors typically pay about half the price of a similar procedure performed in the US, with absolutely no compromise on quality or standards. Many of South Africa's plastic and cosmetic surgeons are affiliated with professional medical associations in the US and the UK.

Addressing Concerns

One of the biggest concerns of patients traveling to a foreign city for plastic surgery is the idea of being alone during surgery. Surgery can be stressful even at home, but in a foreign city, without family or friends, that concern is magnified. Cape Town's clinics have various solutions, such as private theatre nurses and personal trained assistants that help every step of the way, including all pre- and postoperative necessities. There is no language barrier as English is the official language of South Africa. What's more, Cape Town has a highly developed first world infrastructure. The world's first human heart transplant occurred here thirty years ago and today Cape Town remains a center of medical excellence.

Surgical Options

Cape Town's plastic surgeons offer procedures such as laser skin resurfacing, eyelid and face-lift procedures, nasal surgery, ear repair, mini abdominoplasty and breast lifts/augmentation. Nonsurgical procedures include chemical peels, laser hair removal, Botox injections, microdermabrasion, Restylane, Perlane and New-Fill injections. Our surgeons believe that it is important to be up-to-date with the latest technologies and procedures. The blue peel, for example, is the latest form of chemical peel performed in our clinics.

Conscious Sedation

Most procedures today, with the notable exception of abdominoplasty and breast reduction, are performed under local anaesthetic or deep conscious sedation. The medical and dental professions have recognized deep conscious sedation as a replacement for general anesthesia in some surgical procedures. Many outpatient procedures previously done in hospitals under general anaesthesia can now be performed at private clinics, where the cost is typically much lower.

There are many other advantages of undergoing sedation in a clinic:

  • Recovery is more rapid and patients can go home sooner
  • Convenience
  • Enormous savings
  • Less side effects, as patients do not go under general anaesthesia

Plastic surgery has advanced in its techniques and results, and today side effects are also less common. As a result, there are now options available to people with all sorts of differing needs, from those suffering from disfigurement to people wishing to merely improve the physical appearance of an area or reduce fine lines or wrinkles. For many, cosmetic holidays to Cape Town, South Africa are an attractive way to achieve their aesthetic goals.

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Keyword Tags: plastic surgery, face lift, chemical peels

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Comments

1

Please send me info on facelifts in Cape Town, who the Plastic Surgeon is and where the operation is performed. Also I would like to know about post op care and if this includes somewhere to stay during recovery. Costs itemised please.

Jan Ewen
about 1 year ago

2

Please send me info on facelifts in Cape Town. Who are the surgeons who do the procedures and where are they preformed? Where can a person stay while having the procedure done? Who would I contact to set things up? What can I expect to pay for the procedures?
Denise S.

Denise S.
about 1 year ago

3

Please send me information on breast augmentation, and different types of chemical peels? Where they can be performed? How much these cost, as well as the doctors qualifications, and degrees from where? Thank you.

marie
about 1 year ago

4

Please send me information , I need a facelift (I have baggy, puppydog cheeks. My neck sags underneath :-( and my eyes need a little someting too,(eyebrows lifted?) I don't know enough to know if I need check emplants?) Please help...I just want to look really good again before my life is over......Many thanks again for your time..... Sincerely, Diann
P.S. Could you give me a ball park range for the total cost of what I'd like done???

Diann
about 1 year ago

5

I had full eye surgery and laser resurfacing for mouth lines in August 2006, performed by Dr Luckhoff. I would recommend him - he is very professional. I am a regular visitor to Cape Town and luckily have an apartment so accommodation was not an issue - if hotels are costly, the general standard of guest houses is usually very high

Jill
about 1 year ago

6


Please send me info on mid face lift or endoscopic face life for I am 49 and only have looser tone around the mouth and cheek area and a little sagging under the eyes. I would like to be informed on who the Plastic Surgeon is and where the operation is performed. Also I would like to know about post op care and if this includes somewhere to stay during recovery. Costs itemised please. I was also interested in having breast augmentation done at the same time. Please let me know all the details and the hospitals that the surgery is performed in.

Josefine Cefariello
about 1 year ago

7

please e-mail me the total cost for a face lift , breast and after care.......... thanks

carmen
about 1 year ago

8

Is there anyone out there that can refer me to a renown and reputable plastic surgeon in Cape Town, South Africa?

Elina
about 1 year ago

9

Please send me info on nasal surgery, and ear repair in Cape Town, who the Plastic Surgeon is and where the operation is performed. Also I would like to know about post op care and if this includes somewhere to stay during recovery. Costs itemised please.

Jennifer
about 1 year ago

10

Please send me info on mid face lift or endoscopic face life for I am a 52 year old registered nurse and have saggy cheek areas and a little sagging of the eye lids. I would like to be informed on who the Plastic Surgeon is, his or her experience,and where the operation is performed. Also I would like to know about post op care and if this includes somewhere to stay during recovery. I do have a time share that can be utilized in your area. All costs itemised please. I was also interested in having breast augmentation done at the same time. Please let me know all the details and the hospitals that the surgery is performed in.
I will be in Capetown In Mid May. Thank you.

Sarah Peterson
about 1 year ago

11

I would like to come to Capetown around Christmas time for a face/neck lift. I am 61, have some wrinkles around the mouth and sagging neck and jawline, nasty little fat pouches below my eyes, and lids that need lifting. No wrinkles on brow and very tight skin. Am interested in a thread lifting, but don't know if I am a candidate. Could you please send me information on pricing, packages, if they exist, and how to know if I have an excellent doctor? I live in Italy. Thank you very much. Elena

Elena
about 1 year ago

12

Please send me information on all face procedures and surgeries you offer and their prices. I have deep frowns between my eyes, creases on my forehead, and lines at the edges of my mouth. I am 52 years and am very dissatisfied with my looks.

j. reed
about 1 year ago

13

Hi.
Can you please send me a list of all the plastic surgeons in south africa, their contact numbers and sites addresse please.

Thanks

Nikki-Jane Keuning
about 1 year ago

14

hello i do have vitiligo n is looking for light therapy center in durban or johannesburg with possibility of staying on the spot during treatment of cause u may suggest me elsewhere too provided its the best an affordable too

dominique durhone
about 1 year ago

15

Hi Can you let me have details about cosmetic surgery in South Africa for a facelift and tummy tuck and approximate prices also. Thanks

C. Peel
about 1 year ago

16

i am interested in a lower face lift and upper eye treatment in SA
What are the costs and procedures please?

Dick Berkeley
about 1 year ago

17

Looking for a Cosmetic Dermatologist in Durban who does chemical peel etc..........

Mandy
about 1 year ago

18

I am looking for a dermatologist who does chemical peels in cape town, western cape and also the cost for such a procedure. thanks.

michelle
about 1 year ago

19

I am looking for

1 a plastic surgeon in the Durban /westville/kloof/hillcrest area to remove a mole from my upperl ip

2 a skin specialist to assist me with the treatment of sun induced damage in the form of raised spots and colouration/pigmentation on my legs arms and face - and feel that chemical peeling MIGHT e the answer

3 a good but reasonably priced surgeon for quotes on bust rteduction and lift and tummy tuck or lipo whatever is suggested

Al 3 for the durban /westville/kloof/hillcrest area preferable

tanya
12 months ago

20

I would like to know the approximate cost for a threat facelift in the Cape Town area as well as an upper and lower eye lift.

Sharon Duggan
11 months ago

21

I am looking for a cosmetic dermatologist in Bellvue near Cape Town
S.A, who treats skin for age spots

Sonya Hilton
11 months ago

22

I will be on leave mid January through to February and would like to know about the cost involved
Facelift
tummytuck
liposuction...legs and abd?

alwina bezuidenhout
5 months ago

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