There’s a procedure for that … Advancement in cosmetic surgery now makes complete body makeover possible
Published:Sunday | September 15, 2019 | 12:00 AMCarlene Davis - Gleaner Writer
Advancements in medical technology, the influence of social media, and a desire to look and feel good are igniting the burgeoning local cosmetic surgery industry.
It is now possible to enhance any area of your body. Once you have the money, there’s a procedure for you.
“Without a doubt, social media has fuelled the boom in cosmetic procedures that we are now seeing, not just in Jamaica but all over the world. More people are now coming out, showing off their bodies, and they have no drawbacks, no hang-ups about saying that they have had work done,” Dr Alfred Dawes, weight loss, laparoscopic and general surgeon, told The Sunday Gleaner.
“So the stigma that was there in the old days, when people used to say you ‘flying in God face’ if you do cosmetic procedures and Michael Jackson was ridiculed, that is no more.”
Dawes said people will notice the transformation of celebrities in Jamaica, and, out of curiosity, they will research. Once they realise that the cosmetic procedures are available locally, with high-quality results, they will go ahead and get it done.
“We do have an increase in the number of procedures being offered locally, and that is because more doctors are going overseas to be trained, then return with the latest advances in the field, with a wide offering,” he said.
MOST REQUESTED PROCEDURE
“For example, laser vaginoplasty, which was unheard of in Jamaica until a few years ago, is quite commonly done now by several doctors in MoBay, Mandeville and Kingston.”
The type of procedure determines the age group requesting it. Breast work and butt lift are high on the list, but the top winner is liposuction, requested mostly by women in their 30s, 40s, 50s and over.
“There has been a rapid growth in demand for liposuction. Doctors who are trained in cosmetic surgery are basically building practices based on liposuction alone,” Dawes shared.
“At this rate, I think in short order we will reach the stage where cosmetic surgery will expand to be a big part of the medical tourism offering in Jamaica.”
Cautioning that with every procedure there is always a risk, Dawes is urging persons to undertake the necessary due diligence before making any decision.
PROCEDURES
* Hair
Hair transplant provides a fuller head of hair; reverses thinning and balding. Mostly asked about and performed on males.
Cost: US$4,000 to US$15,000
* Forehead
Forehead reduction surgery (called hairline lowering or scalp advancement) shortens the distance between the hairline and eyebrows by moving the scalp forward and positioning the hairline lower on the forehead. Commonly requested by women.
Cost: US$7,000 to US$14,000
* Brows
A brow lift raises the brows and improves the appearance of the forehead, the brow and the area around the eyes by raising the soft tissue and skin of the forehead and brow.
Cost: US$2,000 to US$8,000
* Ears
Otoplasty is a procedure to change the shape, position or size of the ears.
Cost: US$3,156
* Nose
Rhinoplasty, commonly known as a nose job, corrects, reconstructs and improves the appearance of the nose.
Cost: US$5,350
* Lips
Lip augmentation gives fuller, plumper lips. Less common, but also available, is lip reduction surgery to decrease the volume in the lips.
Cost: US$1,000 to US$3,000
* Eyes
- Blepharoplasty repairs droopy eyelids and may involve removing excess skin, muscle and fat.
Cost: US$3,026
- To change the colour of the eyes, an iris implant surgery can be done to change the colour of the iris.
Cost: US$5,000 to US$7,000
* Neck
Platysmaplasty or neck lift removes excess skin and fat from the neck, as well as remove wrinkling and creasing in the area and give a slimmer profile.
Cost: US$1,200 to US$12,700
* Teeth
Dental veneers are a thin layer of porcelain made to fit over the front surface of teeth to improve the colour, shape and position.
Clip on veneers are an alternative to traditional, permanent veneers and don’t involve filing down the teeth to be attached.
Cost: US$500 to US$1,300 per tooth
* Jaw/chin
Jaw augmentation and chin implant balance and enhance the appearance of the face.
- Cost of cheek implants: US$3,015
- Cost of jaw augmentation: US$6,000 to US$8,000
* Underarm
Brachioplasty or underarm surgery tightens loose, sagging skin and removes excess fat deposits in the upper arm.
Cost: US$5,000 to US$11,000
* Abs
Abdominal etching gets rid of excess fat and sculpts the tissue of the abdomen.
Cost: US$3,000 to US$10,000
* Liposuction
Liposuction removes fat on the hips, belly, thighs, buttocks, back, arms, or face to improve the shape.
Cost: US$2,000 to US$3,500 per area
* Ribs
Rib removal surgery gets rid of one or more ribs to give a thinner, smaller waistline
Cost: US$6,500 to US$7,500
* Breasts
- Breast augmentation increases the size and shape.
Cost: US$5,000 to US$10,000
- Breast lift restores and reshapes drooping and sagging.
Cost: US$4,636
- Breast reduction reduces large sizes.
Cost: US$5,680
* Buttocks
Buttocks lift improves the appearance of the rear.
Cost: US$4,802
* Hip/thigh
Hip implant and thigh implant (or thigh lift) enhance both areas.
Cost for hip implant: US$2,000
Cost for thigh lift: US$5,317
* Legs
Leg-lengthening surgery makes one taller. Mostly requested by men.
Cost: US$85,000
* Toe/foot sole
Toe shortening condenses the toes, while fat injections into the sole of the foot add fat, making it easier to stand and wear high heels for longer.
Cost: US$3,000 per procedure
* Vagina
Vaginal rejuvenation tightens as well as improves appearance of the vagina.
- Vaginoplasty tightens the vagina.
Cost: US$20,000
- Labiaplasty reduces the lips of the vagina.
Cost US$3,000 to US$8,000
* Penis
Penis implant can grow the penis by two to 2.5 inches
Cost: US$13,000 to US$15,000