‘I could not even laugh’: Bheki Ndamase on the price and pain of his body transformation

Content creator and influencer Bheki Ndamase, also known as FriBheki or Dear Bheki, revealed his recent body transformation journey in a TikTok live stream. The procedure he underwent included liposuction (lipo-360) and a second procedure (mamaplasty) to address gynecomastia, a condition he has lived with his entire life. Ndamase explained that the surgery was not just about aesthetics, but also meant to motivate him to get back to the gym and stop hiding his insecurities behind baggy clothes.

Finding the right practice took some effort. Ndamase shared that the first quote he received from a practice in western Johannesburg was R90,000, which he found too expensive. He then received an offer from a surgeon in Turkey, who recommended a gastric sleeve, but it was too drastic for his desired outcome. He eventually settled on Asteria Aesthetics in Pretoria East, after researching the facility and reading its reviews.

Asteria Aesthetics, founded in 2019 by Resa Kahn, provides clinic infrastructure, reception, and administrative support to independent, HPCSA-registered medical practitioners. Ndamase's procedure cost him less than R50,000, but he emphasized that the price can vary depending on the body parts being addressed. His consultation with Dr. Chané Stofberg in September included a seven-day window to decide whether to proceed with the surgery.

Recovery was challenging for Ndamase. Four days post-op, he shared that he removed 2.5kg of belly fat and rated his pain eight out of 10. Sitting down was particularly painful, and he found the recovery garments, known as fajas, itchy. He eventually found a more affordable option online. Ndamase advised anyone considering the surgery to have someone around to take care of them in the days following the procedure and mentioned the importance of scar treatment.