From C-sections to confidence: Inside Nozipho Ntshangase's bold surgery journey

News24

3 days ago

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Former reality star Nozipho Ntshangase made headlines for her choice to undergo a tummy tuck following years of struggling with post-pregnancy body changes.
She shared her experience online, advocating for aligning self-love with health and confidence.
Her surgeon, Professor Chrysis Sofianos, illuminated the growing demand for cosmetic surgery among women of colour in South Africa.
Former reality television star turned podcast host Nozipho Ntshangase has been a sustained trending topic on social media for the past week. First, for her choice to get cosmetic surgery, then, for her stepdaughter's decision to issue a public statement about Ntshangase family affairs, since her father's decision to take a second wife.
This part of their family life was the focus of much of her time on the second season of The Mommy Club. In early June, her husband Zola married a young woman named Misokuhle, and the couple marked their union with professional photos and videos from their big day, which they shared online.
Weeks thereafter, Zola's daughter Kholwani (popularly known as Coco) posted an Instagram story of herself posing with her father's new wife, set to Bucie's song Easy To Love.
Fans of the show took the picture and song choice as a dig at Nozipho and had a spirited public debate about the goings on in the Ntshangase household.
@coco_ntshangase/Instagram
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Among the people weighing in on the conversation was Real Housewives of Durban (RHOD) friend to the show, Ameigh Thompson.
She shared her belief that a child who is not biologically yours will always feel a sense of loyalty to their biological parent, no matter how toxic they are.
'Stop bending backwards for kids y'all didn't birth. I learned the hard way,' she posted.
She also remarked about Coco's song choice, stating her belief that the teen knew exactly what she was doing when she chose it. Coco retaliated by directly messaging Thompson, insulting and threatening her before issuing a lengthy statement explaining the choice her siblings took to embrace their new mother.
Through it all, Nozipho remained silent, choosing to post only about her surgery. In an about-turn from her time on The Mommy Club, she has shied away from publicly commenting on her husband's second marriage. When contacted for comment by News24 at the time, she said 'no comment.'
While Coco was dealing with public scrutiny, Nozipho teased an upcoming cosmetic surgery procedure on her Instagram stories last week. She followed it up with a one-week update about her recovery journey, opening up about everything from regular bowel movements to how much pain she's in.
Noting her motivation to choose this type of treatment in a statement, she said: 'After my last three children, I struggled to love my body. Despite staying active and living healthily, my confidence took a knock. I finally chose to do the outer and inner work on myself.'
Professor Chrysis Sofianos, a surgeon specialised in advanced body contouring work and natural-looking outcomes, operated on Nozipho and spoke about changing perceptions about cosmetic surgery among South African women of colour.
'Cosmetic surgery is less about vanity and more about feeling at home in your own skin again,' he said.
'It's often an important investment in self-worth, confidence, and acceptance. And tummy tucks, especially post-pregnancy or after weight loss, are one of the most powerful tools we have in body restoration.'
A four-time c-section mom of five
A tummy tuck, also known as abdominoplasty, is a surgical procedure that removes excess skin and fat from the abdomen while tightening weakened or separated abdominal muscles. The result is a smoother, firmer, and more contoured silhouette that restores not only shape but often posture and core strength, too.
Sofianos performs two primary types of tummy tucks in his practice.
Mini tummy tuck: This procedure is ideal for patients with minimal skin laxity below the belly button. It requires a smaller incision and offers faster recovery.
Full tummy tuck: This procedure is best suited for those with excess skin across the entire abdomen. It is often paired with muscle repair and repositioning of the belly button using a natural technique.
In most cases, surgeons combine the procedure with targeted liposuction, which sculpts the waist, flanks, and surrounding areas for a balanced, contoured result. This is what Nozipho got.
After delivering four of her five children by C-section, the mom of five has rated her post-op pain as moderate.
'I don't know what the fuss was about. A lot of people scared me, but Google did the most scarring... the 4x C-sections have made me a pain-tolerant momma. Out of 10, I can honestly say the pain level has been a 3. But to be fair, I'm taking those painkillers religiously,' she wrote.
She lists the fluid drains, compression socks and sleeping upright as her major downsides but reports being happy with her overall results.
She is not the only celebrity who has taken this route, joining RHOD stars like Nonkanyiso Conco and Jojo Robinson and celebrities like Lesedi Matsunyane and Simphiwe Ngema.
Nozipho's comments have been flooded with queries for curious moms who might want to go down the same route, and Sofianos cautions:
'It's not a one-size-fits-all procedure. We tailor each approach to the patient's anatomy and goals, whether that includes muscle tightening, skin removal, or lipo-sculpting.'
Additionally, it's not just post-pregnancy moms experiencing abdominal separation (rectus diastasis) or loose skin who seek out this procedure. People who have undergone significant weight loss, people dealing with genetic skin laxity or stubborn abdominal fat and those seeking a firmer, more defined waistline after years of diet and fitness with limited visible results also consider an abdominoplasty and liposuction as an option.
'It's important to understand that tummy tucks are not weight-loss procedures – they are often the only effective solution for a very specific issue: loose, stretched skin.'
The professor also says no cream, exercise, or diet can tighten severely stretched abdominal skin. Therefore, surgery becomes the only definitive option when the skin has lost elasticity due to pregnancy, weight changes, or ageing.
'I see so many women who've done everything right. They've lost the weight, they've trained consistently, and underneath the skin is a beautiful six-pack. But the skin has been stretched beyond its ability to retract. In those cases, a tummy tuck is simply the only way to remove that excess skin and reveal the body they've worked so hard for.'
Misconceptions persist
Through his practice, the doctor has noticed that several misconceptions about cosmetic surgery still hold women back from exploring their options despite growing awareness, particularly within African communities.
'More and more African women, especially urban professionals and mothers, are turning to aesthetic surgery as part of their self-care journey,' he says.
Regarding the belief that cosmetic surgery is only for Western beauty ideals, Sofianos says patients aren't trying to conform anymore. 'They're refining, restoring, and celebrating their own features.'
Concerns also extend to the healing process and what this means for skin when factors like scarring, melanin production, and keloid formation are considered.
'The key is understanding different skin anatomies and healing patterns. Every patient deserves a surgeon who respects and adapts to their unique physiology.'