I want my small breasts back - Socialite Vera Sidika after plastic surgery

 "I even want to get rid of them, all of you ladies rushing to Miami for surgery should learn to love yourselves"

Your woman has thought of having plastic surgery despite your flattery that she’s the hottest thing since the G-string.

See, most women desire to have a perfect body without ‘love hooks’, stretch marks, sagging breasts that can be suckled from the back, or pot belly that calls for nimble manoeuvring when buttoning the blouse.

Though most women would rather be shot than publicly admit it, they have either thought of it or already done it. Just why the well-heeled take ‘cosmetic surgery holidays’ in South Africa or USA, from where they return with lifted boobs and firmer butts.

These procedures are not for Kenyans who fret over ‘small’ things like the price of unga. Consider this: To alter your looks would cost between Sh200,000 and Sh300, 000 and slightly more for breast reconstruction at between Sh220,000 and Sh350,000.

Lifting a dropping butt will cost between Sh150,00 and Sh200,000, which is the same price for ‘lifting thighs’ and conducing vaginoplasty and labioplasty. The cheapest cosmetic surgery is liposuction (removal of excess fat) at between Sh90,000 and Sh220,000 and ‘brow lift,’ which ranges from Sh100,000 to Sh200,000.

 Socialite Vera Sidika had her own cosmetic surgery, which cost her an arm and a leg, but which she’s now not proud of at all. “I have had boob surgery before, years ago in Beverly Hills, California. I paid a lot for the procedure. Yes, it’s more expensive but worth it because you get qualified and certified surgeons with over 20 years’ experience,” she told The Nairobian.

 “Still, I am not proud of that decision anymore. Today, I regret the boob job. In fact, I even want to get rid of them, all of you ladies rushing to Miami for surgery should learn to love yourselves. If you must, Miami is not the place. Hustle harder and go to Beverly Hills,” she added.

Another socialite and one-time Big Brother Africa contestant, Huddah Monroe, went for a cosmetic surgery safari to enhance her boobs, but the procedure was botched as she recently admitted on social media. She had to undergo reconstructive surgery in Beverly Hills. She wrote: “Got complications from a previous cosmetic surgery I had and I am pleased with my doctors who have done incredible job on me. I can’t be more thankful! I could’ve died, but I’m well now.’’

Huddah told The Nairobian that, “I don’t regret doing my surgery. I did not have any self-esteem issues, I just wanted my dress to look good.”

And just so you know, the cost of the surgery could have bought a decent car for those who know more shoe shiners than mechanics. “It was expensive,” recalls Huddah. “I had to pay Sh1,020,000.”

Indeed, most city women wouldn’t mind going under the knife as Dr Ferdinand Nangole of Fortis Health Care Centre in Nairobi explains:  “Though a lot of Kenyans may not say it publicly that they have gone under the knife, they are seeking these procedures. Most Kenyan women request breast reduction procedures or implants and liposuction. There is nothing wrong with women wanting to look better,” he explains, adding that cosmetic enhancements have to do with a person’s self-esteem.

“When young people come for these surgeries, it is mostly about breast reduction that means they are too big and they do not feel comfortable. Some ask for breast enlargement, mostly ladies in their 20s who consider their breasts to be too small and feel left out. They would want to enhance their breasts to be like ‘other’ girls,” explains Dr Nangole, adding that plastic and some reconstructive surgeries are not covered by health insurance and “patients have to pay in cash.”

While a majority of men admire women with behinds that can tempt the pope, butt enhancement is the least sought after cosmetic procedure.

Dr Nangole points out that about “40 per cent of the patients are either requesting for a boob implants, breast lifts or reduction, followed by liposuction, which accounts for about 30 per cent. Butt lifting accounts for 20 per cent, with 10 per cent of the patients requesting for other surgeries. But since 2015, we have started getting more butt lift requests.”

However, these procedures do not last forever. After every 10 to 15 years, the breast implants may need to be removed and replaced and “you will also find that most of Kenyan Caucasian women will ask for facial procedures like face lifts and anti-wrinkle injections, but it is the least requested by African women,” adds Dr Nangole.

For those who do not want surgical procedures, there are non-surgical procedures which include filler and botox. “The procedures last for about 10 to 20 minutes but for botox, you will need to follow up after three months. While fillers last for about one year, there are two main types - the artificial and the fat graft, which lasts longer. These are highly requested by 35-60 year olds,” Dr Nangole explains and clarifies that Kenya is yet to grow ‘lunchtime’ and ‘safari cosmetic’ procedures into medical fads.

While these procedures are harmless, Dr Nangole warns that patients need to disclose any illnesses, medications and drug use, if they smoke or drink alcohol and any other family illnesses before any procedure can be done to avoid complications. Patients with HIV/Aids can also undergo the procedures. “Patients with HIV can seek plastic surgery procedures like facelifts, liposuction and breast implants, which can be done, as long as they are not terminally ill,” says Dr Nangole.