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American Morning

Beauty and Beast Being Brought Together in South Africa

Aired August 12, 2002 - 08:56   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

ARTHEL NEVILLE, CNN ANCHOR: Adventure may not be the first word that comes to mind when thinking about plastic surgery. Folks in South Africa are trying to change that.
Becky Anderson explains.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BECKY ANDERSON, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Beauty and the beast are being brought together in the country's hottest new tourist attraction, surgery and safari. The promise of first world surgery topped off by a luxury game park experience.

KIMBERLY BASIL, SURGERY & SAFARI PATIENT: So many Americans, people all over the world want surgery done for themselves, to make themselves feel better. And I think the fact that you can combine it with a vacation, and it be anonymous to your friends and your family, it's a great package.

ANDERSON: Kimberly Basil is one of the many patients buying into this new package. At more than half the price of plastic surgery in the U.S., it's literally a snip. Facelifts are the most common procedure, costing just under $4,000. That's compared to an average $15,000 in the U.S.

To Lorraine Melvill, the founder of Surgeon and Safari, this makes perfect financial sense.

LORRAINE MELVILL, FOUNDER, SURGEON SAFARI: We had unbelievable positive elements in this country which was, for example, incredible international hospitality venues, wonderful game lodges that knew how to treat international clients. Plus, we obviously also had unbelievable world class skilled surgeons, nursing facilities, clinics, and it was a matter of bringing the two of them it together.

ANDERSON: Melville guides her clients through the process, from accompanying them to consultations right through to arranging their safari holidays. Holiday makers need not just lounge with the lions. Some clients prefer wine safaris to wildlife. Whatever their preference, it's certainly a boost to the local tourist industry.

But the main beneficiaries are the surgeons.

DR. RICK VAN DER POEL, PLASTIC SURGEON: Obviously, it's been a great boost to my practice. Suddenly we are getting a lot of cosmetic patients from overseas. And basically, it's almost doubled my practice. ANDERSON: Those surgeons involved with Melvill's company say 50 percent of their patients now come from abroad. That's compared with 10 percent just four years ago. Most are from Britain and the U.S. The clients pick their surgeon via Melville's Web site before coming to the country for the surgery. Doctor/patient dialogue is therefore initiated by the Internet, online, as opposed to in the flesh. That worries a lot of people in the medical profession.

Plastic surgery is a serious matter. And some experts say it's imperative that a patient's motivations and expectations are explored before the operation.

DR. LAWRENCE CHAIT, PLASTIC SURGEON: If these people are going to have a haircut, they are going to have to change the hair style. I don't think all these possible complications and problems that can occur are mentioned.

ANDERSON: That doesn't worry Kimberly. She's just happy to be here to recover from surgery and know she will go back home looking truly rested.

But not everybody is convinced that going under the knife is as simple as a walk in the park.

Becky Anderson, CNN, London.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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