The plastic surgeon cashing in

Plastic surgery has gone from strength to strength in the Middle East, with countries like Morocco experiencing a boom which has drawn tourists from around the world looking to go under the knife at low prices. Speaking to one of Morocco’s most prominent plastic surgeons, Salaheddine Slaoui, he was keen to point out that the country is now cashing in on this plastic surgery tourism as well as the rise of Moroccan women undergoing cosmetic procedures. "Moroccan women are undergoing more and more plastic surgery, but it has been popular for a long time here because Morocco has long been known for its excellence in the field," said Slaoui, pointing out that the world's first plastic surgery clinic was established in Morocco in the 1950s. He said the rise in Moroccan women interested in plastic surgery is down to the “popularity of western fashions and body image.” “In addition social and economic progress in Morocco which has changed the status of women is huge factor. Another is Islamic approval, because the religion encourages women to make themselves beautiful, as several Moroccan clerics have said,” said Slaoui. Slaoui revealed that the most popular procedures in Morocco are liposuction, Botox injections, breast augmentation and buttocks lifts. He also pointed out that cosmetic procedures are now becoming more common among Moroccan men. "The two procedures most popular among men are hair implants and breast reduction, as well as rhinoplasty, face lifts, eyebrow lifts and penile augmentation,” he said. Speaking on the rise of customers from Europe and the rest of the world, Slaoui said: "Moroccan plastic surgery clinics attract women from France, Spain, Italy, the Netherlands, Canada, Africa. They come here because we have a good reputation for excellent levels or surgery and care." “Also we provide a low price – with most procedures costing up to 50 percent cheaper than in some European countries such as France,” he said. Asked about recent cases of malpractice involving European customers, Slaoui replied: "Complications are very rare but when they do occur, it becomes a media circus, which doesn't reflect the reality of other areas of practice." He blamed the cause of complications on a growing number of "frauds and quacks" in the field. "This is something we inherited from France, where there are 2,400 doctors performing plastic surgery and only 600, a quarter, are competent and recognised by medical authorities," he said. "Complications are only highly likely when the surgeries are performed by a non-specialist, or in underequipped clinics. But if complications do happen, it is the surgeon's duty to repair the damage for free," he added. "Before any patient decides to undergo plastic surgery, they must make sure that they're in the hands of cosmetic surgeons and not a fraud or a quack. You can check this with medical authorities in any Moroccan city," he concluded.