Plastic surgeon Dr Mukami Gathariki/HANDOUT
In a country where plastic surgery is still widely misunderstood and, at times, stigmatized, one of Kenya’s leading plastic surgeons, Dr. Mukami Gathariki, is pioneering a bold new path—plastic surgery advocacy.
Mukami has taken up the challenge to educate Kenyans on the benefit of aesthetic surgery in turning their lives around.
Reflecting on her experiences working as a plastic surgeon, Mukami recalls working with people from diverse backgrounds in the country.
“There is never a dull day in the plastic surgery world. I have the pleasure of interacting with individuals from diverse backgrounds and assist them achieve their hearts’ desires through aesthetic surgery and for others, getting back what they had lost or something close to what they had before that accident or the devastating cancer diagnosis,” she said.
In particular, she remembers meeting a young client, Azuri Neema, and how she passionately clung to her dreams of enhancing her beauty.
“Azuri came in to our clinic, at the Nairobi Sculpt Aesthetic Centre, for a consultation. She was clutching tightly to a photo of a certain celebrity,” recalls the surgeon who works at the Wamalwa Kijana County Referral Hospital in Trans-Nzoia County.
The meeting revealed the beauty and challenges of working in the industry.
“I could feel her anxiety through the air as she sat directly opposite me explaining the type of procedure she desired. She was not aware that the celebrity’s features did not align with her own since they were from different cultural identities,” she says.
Cultural identity, explains Mukami, is an important aspect in determining the success of plastic surgery procedures.
“I took my time gently explaining that each ethnic group had their features which made them unique. We could still, however, start with what they have and improve on it,” she reflects on her interaction with Azuri.
“I could feel her anxiety melting away, her shoulders easing up and her eyes gleaming with excitement. She finally understood what could be done in a safe and calm environment.”
While safe and successful plastic surgery depends on the skill of the surgeon, it goes beyond professional expertise.
“As I look back on my interaction with Azuri, I am also reminded of my role as a plastic surgeon beyond the operating room. My responsibility is to understand the cultural, emotional and personal context that shape each client’s goal,” she says.
Advocating for inclusivity in the availability and access to plastic surgery services, Mukami insists that everyone has a right to it.
She
says: “Every so often society’s perspective of beauty has been predictable and
standard. Leaving some clients from diverse backgrounds feeling like their
unique identifies do not belong. I am recommitting to changing that narrative
by prioritizing inclusivity as a cornerstone of customer service.”
Mukami was one of the surgeons who attended the Kenya Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (KSPRAS) annual scientific conference held in the month of August in Mombasa this year.
According to Prof. Ferdinand Nangole, KSPRAS President, the conference aimed to reconnect, reflect, and renew the stakeholders’ shared commitment to excellence in plastic, reconstructive, and aesthetic surgery.
“The future of our profession lies in our willingness to embrace change, share knowledge across disciplines, and push the boundaries of what’s possible—for the ultimate benefit of our patients,” he said.
Mukami emphasises the need for plastic surgeons to put clients first.
“Just recently, customer service week gives me and other plastic surgeons the time to reflect on what it means to really put our clients first. It is deeply personal, as it reminds me that I have the privilege to walk with them through a deeply personal transformation. Plastic surgery requires one to give themselves fully: physically, psychologically and mentally to the process,” says Mukami.
The Fellow in Global Plastic Surgery with SHARE programme of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons adds that plastic surgery is about creating a safe space.
“Everyone needs to feel seen, heard, and celebrated for who they really are,” she says.
Asked what she is doing to ensure that she and her colleagues are making inclusivity in the practice a reality, she states: “We have tailored consultation frameworks, allowing our clients to express their goals in ways that resonate with their cultural or personal values by asking questions such as What does beauty mean to you?’”
Mukami explains that they also have a website, NairobiSculpt.com, on which they showcase diverse body types, skin tones and even gender identities. At the same time, her team is composed of plastic surgeons equipped with skills in different subspecialties.
“Ours is a group center, we are five plastic surgeons in total and each has specialized in something different. This enables us to offer a wide range of procedures,” she explains.
“When clients feel that their unique identities are honored, the impact on their satisfaction is transformative. A consultation that respects a client’s cultural background fosters trust allowing them to feel more confident before the procedure. This trust reduces post-surgery dissatisfaction as clients know their expected outcomes align with their personal vision.”
