Monaisa's sculpturing skills bring confidence to scarred women

He is one of just 14 black plastic surgeons in SA and for Dr Brian Monaisa, his job is about more than just what meets the eye.

Rather, he sees what he does daily as a tool to help unleash people’s confidence, and has in some cases, even led to improved, happier marriages.

Monaisa, who runs Marang Aesthetics clinic in Krugersdorp, Gauteng, and is also the head of plastic surgery at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, says although some may find certain procedures to be frivolous, he has witnessed first-hand how they can lead to improved mental health, particularly for new mothers.

“One of the most frequently requested procedure is what is referred to as the 'mommy make-over'. For most women once they are done carrying a child and breastfeeding, there is extra skin around the stomach and breasts.  So after completing their families, they may want to address those issues, and that is when they come to us,” Monaisa said.

As one of the few men who deeply understands the toll childbearing has on a woman’s body, Monaisa often has to break it down to his patients’ partners, who cannot fathom why their partners would want to undergo the make-overs.

“A lot of guys tell their wives that it’s not necessary because they love them the way they are. But women become happier, more confident when those things are corrected, and when she is happy, things improve for everyone in the household. You’ve heard the saying 'happy wife, happy home!'”

Monaisa sculpturing skills are not confined to women whose bodies have endured the rigours of pregnancy and childbirth.

“We get a lot of patients who want body contouring work on them. There is not much demand for facial work, but most patients ask for breast augmentation, tummy tucks and a Brazilian butt lift – a procedure where fat is removed in certain areas and placed in the bum to enhance shape and size.

"Meanwhile, our male patients come in for gynaecomastia (male breast enlargement), liposuction on the stomach and skincare. There is a big demand for liposuction, because as you know, SA men tend to have big bellies,” he said.

Does he ever just say no to a potential patient? Monaisa laughed, and said: “Oh, yes. When someone has a psychiatric condition I say no. When they expect to undergo surgery without any scarring, or when they have unrealistic expectations. For instance, someone might come in, and they’re really overweight but say they want me to make them look like Ayanda Thabethe (media personality). That is when I politely decline”.

So how did a young man who grew up in far-flung Itsoseng  in North West end up in the leafy enclave that is the Netcare Pinehaven Hospital in Krugersdorp on the West Rand?

“While studying medicine at the University of Cape Town two things happened. We were studying the anatomy of the hand, and I was immediately fascinated – how are we able to pick up a cup, play the piano and so on. And who fixes it if something goes wrong. That is where my interactions with Dr Elias Ndobe, the then head of department began. I found him to be knowledgeable and humble, and while UCT produces a lot of surgeons, my interest in plastic surgery was piqued,” Monaisa said.

“Professor Ndobe became my mentor. I am still to this day inspired by his combination of surgical skill and humility. He played a big part in my career path and even now, when I encounter a challenging situation, I think of how he would handle it. As the head of plastic surgery at Wits Medical School, he is still my boss.”

Monaisa, who over the years has held positions ranging from running an HIV clinic at the height of the epidemic, to consulting for a pharmaceutical organisation, credits Ndobe with promoting plastic surgery among black medical professionals.

“There are about 14 black plastic surgeons in the country and, maybe eight or nine graduated from Prof Ndobe's institutions in the last three years. He is purposefully transforming the speciality. Five years ago, there were six of us in the country,” he said.

With regard to his work at Bara, Monaisa and his team perform cleft lip and palate surgeries, as well as correct hand differences in children. “It is a privileged way to earn a living. Witnessing the happiness and changing people’s life is a gift”.    

Through his Smile Artists Africa non-profit, the award-winning surgeon, who also loves art, is rallying behind breast cancer survivors, whose life-saving surgeries have left them without one or both of their breasts.

Alongside artist and entrepreneur Azael Langa, the two have  raised more than R300,000 through an auction of 17 works of art from artists such as  i Greatjoy Ndlovu, Olwethu de Vos, and Zwelethu Machepha and Langa.

“I got involved after witnessing the incredible impact that breast reconstruction had on people’s quality of life. I learnt about a lady who after having her cancer removed, was left without a breast. She then saved money and paid for the reconstruction herself because she did not have medical aid. You must remember this procedure costs about R120,000. I decided to do something about it,” Monaisa said.

While the surgery changed the lady in question’s life to the point where she recently got married, Monaisa said a host of other women, particularly those from areas that are far from big cities, continue to suffer.

“Women in provinces such as North West, Northern Cape and Mpumalanga often can’t access the help because they are either poor or there are no surgeons that can do the reconstruction for them. The aim of the organisation is to help with that and help them feel feminine again and improve their quality of life. It felt important to me and makes me feel I have found my purpose.”