Mrs Obasanjo's death is being investigated

Although the cause of her death is being investigated, it draws attention to the dangers of going under the surgeon's knife - no matter the reason.

The demand for cosmetic surgery has spread to Africa and is no longer just the preserve of the rich and famous.

South Africa is now one of the world's top destinations for those in search of a cheap tummy tuck, breast enhancement or facelift.

What do you make of cosmetic surgery - is the final outcome ever worth the risk? Is there anything wrong with people wanting to improve their looks - or is it vanity gone mad? Would you ever consider it if you had the money and if you have - was it worth it? Or would the constraints of some African societies stop you?

A selection of your views are published below and were broadcast on the BBC's Focus on Africa programme on Saturday 29 October 2005 at 1700 GMT.

This debate is now closed. Thank you for your comments.

I think it is a case of people creating problem for themselves. Life is interesting with challenges, while trying to meet out goals and achieve our dreams; trying to go through school, getting a job, paying your rent, getting married, feeding your family. When these challenges cease to exist for most rich people they create problems for themselves hence worrying about how they look even though they already look very good with all the money they have. Working class people should be thankful of the challenges that come their way because when they are absent you start worrying about very odd things.
Omoruyi O, Nottingham, UK

It is not worth the risk at all. After all you are created by God, why the surgery? For what?
Isa Abdullahi, Nigeria

Plastic surgery does not increase African women beauty but rather alters it Bimbo Balogun, Lagos

Plastic surgery is unAfrican. African women are the most beautiful on earth. They are naturally beautiful. So plastic surgery does not increase African women beauty but rather alters it. Beauty surgery is another form of cultural colonialism which we African should reject. Where are our traditional African beauty ingredients like "Laali", "Coral beads" etc.
Bimbo Balogun, Lagos, Nigeria

Vanity upon vanity, so the scriptures say! If it's corrective surgery, aimed at rectifying congenital deformities, yes; but where its aim is simply to "improve" one's looks or "slow down" the aging process, then the answer is a definite no! We must learn to accept certain natural facts of life: we must look our real selves and age, despite man's vain wish always to look different.

There are other crying areas where the few fortunate rich Africans can apply their excess resources: they can use start by educating children not only of their extended family members - the backbone of the African family system - but increasingly the children of the entire community they originate from.
Abdulai Musa, Lagos, Nigeria

Instead of spending the money on plastic surgery to look slimmer, why not hire a fitness instructor and dietician first? The effects will probably last longer.
Sena Amos, Lagos, Nigeria

There is nothing really wrong with going for a cosmetic surgery, it depends on what one is trying to correct. But no matter what, good or bad going to the extreme is a big problem. Love yourself. It all begins from there.
Ruth, Lagos, Nigeria

True Africans will not go in for any form of surgery. A pig remains a pig even in white coats. I think the idea of Africans going under the surgeon's knife is one of those negative ideas borrowed from the West. Like democracy and other things borrowed from the west, Africans have always added an African touch to it, which in turns has a devastating effect on the population
Morfaw L Rene, Southern Cameroonian in Belgium

Why will somebody go for cosmetic surgery? God, that created individuals differently, knows why I love the way I look. I am proud I am black, and black is beauty. There is nothing wrong in taking good care of one's body, but not to the extent of wanting to change one's natural look. If I had money to spend on surgery, I would prefer to help the poor with such money.
Tony Dbanjl, Jos, Nigeria

It's like committing the biggest copyright fraud against their creator.
Sajin, Nigerian in Ethiopia

There is nothing wrong with people especially women trying to improve their looks but we have to always remember that everything taken in excess has a negative impact on our health that may cost our lives prematurely. Though a woman has to always strive to care about her beauty as a way to keep on attracting the husband so that he can't be tempted to have an affair with other women, they have to always remember that it's not only their beauty that can stop a man from going out but factors like their behaviour, character, how they show affection to the husband etc also count and they have not to forget that any excess in trying to improve their looks confound them to prostitute. However, the constraints of some African societies can't and will never stop me from doing what I believe is right though, whether we like it or not we are directly or indirectly accountable to society. As rich as one can be we have to always remember that if we rush into things as if we've never seen them or as if we are going to finish them, we are endangering ourselves.
Kapinga Ntumba, Harare, Zimbabwe

Your grey hair and wrinkled face portrays the wisdom of age and no doubt carries respect in Africa Willie Etim Willie, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria

Human beings should be proud of their looks, God has a purpose for making you look the way you are. Attainment of advanced age should be a thing of joy to people. Your grey hair and wrinkled face portrays the wisdom of age and no doubt carries respect in Africa.
Willie Etim Willie, Akwa Ibom, Nigeria

I think there are some cases where minor plastic surgery may be used to correct some deformities. Medical science has advanced to a level where some of these procedures are now regarded as routine. What people need to realise however is that beauty is often a reward for a long term investment of looking after oneself. Paying attention to one's diet, reducing or abstaining from alcohol and smoking, having proper rest and doing proper exercise are some of those things that could be done to enjoy better health and BEAUTY in latter years. If these are taken aboard, need for unnecessary cosmetic procedures will be cut down. It's only natural for people to want to benefit from current medical expertise, but neglecting oneself so that a tummy tuck or other preventable operations are needed in the future is something over which you have a degree of control.
Layi, UK

The problem with some of us is that we lack self confidence. Some Africans don't value themselves. It's about time we recognise our attributes and make the most of them rather than dwelling on imperfections. Believing in ourselves and feeling good about the way we look will help us to automatically send off some positive signals about who we really are.
ANWAR SADAT ISSAH, TAKORADI, GHANA

There is nothing wrong in someone trying to look good, we have lots of patients undergoing surgery to correct different kind of abnormalities like cleft pallet and face deformation due to accidents of all sorts. What you consider normal or abnormal is down to an individual's moral ethic.
Ade Abegundewilliams, London

I admire the beautiful and their looks, I wish I could posses the many good features that would make the world turn my way, but then I will never trade my life and looks under the disguise of cosmetic surgery however unattractive I am.
Michael Kayongo, Brisbane, Australia

The final outcome is worth the risk because when successful, it boosts the confidence of the individual of question, improves the looks etc. Personally, I would only under go if my body (or a part of it) is disfigured due to an accident. If it is question of improving looks, then count me out. However, I wouldn't criticise those who under go plastic surgery because we all live in a free world.
Alex Ashu, The Hague, The Netherlands

There is nothing wrong for someone to improve their looks through surgery be it cosmetic or whatever, so far as one can afford it. Gone were the days when such services were limited to the western world only, African are in for the show as we are rich.
Tunde Onibode, Lagos, Nigeria

Plastic surgery to me as an African is uncanny, weird and ungodly. The price is not worth the risk. Some of us can no longer recognise the legend Michael Jackson because of cosmetic surgery.
Eze Collins, Kano, Nigeria

Cosmetic surgery has been a miracle for those of us mutilated by disease or accidents, and crucial for the millions of us born with defects or serious problems that affect their ability to lead happy, productive lives. But like any good thing, a little goes a long way. Humans have always gone too far when no limits exist. The current craze for "perfection" and eternal youth is not only illusory, it indicates to what extent humanity is losing touch with itself, with its inherent qualities of growth, maturity, wisdom, and compassion.
Maha Ayoub, Tunis, Tunisia

Those who go for cosmetic enhancement are mostly women. The signal I am getting is that men are treating women as mere objects to be looked at as beautiful. Women, don't allow yourselves to be fooled.
Leon Nyerere, Sudanese living in Canada.

Undergoing plastic surgery is denial of what you are. It is proof of a feeling of inferiority: "I am not good enough because of how I look". It is a curse for the rich. A poor African would worry more about what gets on his table rather than the shape of his/her nose. The affluent Africans, like Westerners have nothing to worry about, so they can afford to worry about their looks. Money is like water; when there is too much of it, it starts looking for the smallest crack to flow out.
Anonymous

I want to look my age regardless what. Since when is getting old become a crime?
Mesfin, Eritrean in Oakland, USA

I support cosmetic surgery. If you have the resources (money) and want to look good, it is fine with me. People need to look attractive.
Alvin Kennedy, Greenville, INDIANA, USA

If one feels comfortable with a plastic face and plastic breasts let them have their way. The firms providing these services must make sure the people know the consequences though.
Joel Chiutsi, Keswick, Canada

I am really surprised that Africans are doing plastic surgery. As an African I believe we are pretty and that real beauty can from your heart.
Yusuf, Somalian in London, UK

I strongly agree that looking good is a good business in feminine world, but I wouldn't have gone under the knife for the sake of looking good! It's dangerous and if survived might have future side effects.
Florence Attah, Lagos, Nigeria.

In addition to believing that minor and non-risky cosmetic surgery may be justifiable, other situations like accidental or disfigurement and biological abnormalities may also justify the procedure. However, the idea of engaging in cosmetic surgery at an advanced age in order to look like a sweet sixteen is suicidal and unwise. Having said that, I do believe in the right of individuals to take whatever risks they wish with their lives, subject to nuisance and threat to one's neighbours, provided they are aware and prepared for the consequences.
Majek Adega, Toronto, Canada

I feel plastic surgery is meant for those who are deformed either by accident or any other natural mishap.
Victor, Lagos, Nigeria

All of us have become victims of modernisation. And, us women have to go through the daily stresses of society, Hollywood etc, defining how we should look. I think women should learn to be comfortable in their own skin, celebrate their bodies, looks, for what they are because the minute one changes oneself, the cycle begins and in the process one loses ones being and soul!
Neo, New York, New York, USA