Venezuelan culture highlights physical beauty with much importance, almost to the point of being described as beauty-obsessed. Venezuelan women and men take pride in the steps they take for beauty maintenance, one of which is plastic surgery. In particular, breast implants are so in demand in the country that there is now a shortage of breast implant supply, specifically brand-name ones.
Venezuelan news reports have confirmed that women are reaching a point of desperation that they and their doctors are considering implants that are the wrong size or those made in China, which is lower in terms of quality and can pose hazardous. consequences.
For years, Venezuela has enjoyed easy and convenient access to breast implants that are approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration. However, this has become impossible due to the restrictive currency regulations which have deprived local businesses in the importation of foreign goods.
Ramon Zapata, president of the Society of Plastic Surgeons in Venezuela, sums it up to one statement: "The women are complaining." According to him, Venezuelan women are very concerned of their self esteem, stirring panic. It is affecting the psyche of image-conscious Venezuelan women.
Analysis has shown that Venezuela ranks number one in terms of the country with the highest plastic surgery rates. In 2013 alone, over 85,000 implants were performed, as confirmed by the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery.
The frenzy for breast implants was evident during anti-government street rallies in spring this year. Protests against currency devaluation and food shortages were side by side with anti-breast implant price hikes.
According to surgeon Daniel Slobodianik, Venezuela reeks of a culture that says, "I want to be more beautiful than you." He added that even women who live in slums get implants.
Dr. Miguel Useche, also a surgeon, admits that some women are more frustrated because they have spent years saving money for the operation, only to be told that they must wait longer. This seems unbearable for a number of Venezuelan women, he said.