$30,000 To Look Like Kim Kardashian?

The influence of social media and the quest for curvier bodies. Cosmetic surgeries are all the rage in West Africa, but in some cases, have also gone horribly wrong.

- Peace Hyde

WHEN JENNIFER (NAME changed to protect identity) made the decision to go under the knife for cosmetic surgery, she never thought her quest for perfection would lead to death.

She had elected to go in for a Brazilian Butt Lift (BBL) and spent months in preparation, researching doctors, reading reviews and watching influencer videos on YouTube.

She had the option of flying to Dubai for the procedure which would set her back by about $20,000 for a round trip, or alternatively, have it done in Lagos. Her local option was a new plastic surgery practice that promised competent doctors from the United States (US), full discretion and unbeatable value. Jennifer was offered a tummy tuck, back-lift and BBL, which would have typically cost $9,000, for free. All she had to do was post the new surgery on Instagram.

“We were very close, we had such a strong bond, everybody used to say we were twins. We shared everything. She was smart so we trusted that she knew what she was doing and although I was uncomfortable, I could understand the reasons why she wanted to go under the knife,” recalls Opeyemi, Jennifer’s sister.

Jennifer was gradually gaining popularity as a social media influencer with over 40,000 Instagram followers. She had just began a campaign for a swimwear brand that was paying her $200 per post on her Instagram page. The new posts began to go viral encouraging engagement on her page.

“If you are an influencer, you know just how important it is to go viral. One viral video or image could mean a boost in your social media following and that means more opportunities to make money. Jennifer already had a nice body, but the pressure of growing her account and social media influence got the better of her,” says Opeyemi.