The rate of plastic surgery operations has greatly increased among women in the Gaza Strip despite the difficult economic situation and strict cultural traditions and norms.

Jala al-Talmis, plastic surgery and laser specialist and director of the Plastic Surgery Center in Gaza, told Al-Monitor, “The growing demand for plastic surgery and laser sessions among women in Gaza is mostly limited to cosmetic aspects such as tummy tuck surgery, liposuction, rhinoplasty, removal of hair, birthmarks, tattoos, scars and breast augmentation. They also go for correcting congenital deformities such as cleft lip, protruding ears, wrinkles, burns and injuries. The modifications are not as major as those happening in other countries.”

As for the limited number of cosmetic clinics in the Gaza Strip, Talmis noted, “The first reason is a lack of understanding of what plastic surgery is among the general public. This is because the field of cosmetic surgery is very broad. The second reason is that plastic surgery is similar to art and talent, so not every person can do it. I chose it because I love it like a painter who loves his art.”  

Talmis does not perform any surgical intervention or carry out any cosmetic procedures until the patient is advised of what it involves exactly.