Plastic Surgery: Discussing The Procedures With Teens

While the number of teens receiving plastic surgery is rising, parents should exercise caution. Here are some things for parents and teens to consider.

With the tabloids reporting so many Hollywood starlets having nose jobs and breast augmentation procedures done, it's no surprise to have kids and teens asking questions about plastic surgery. And the number of children under 18 choosing to get work done is on the rise.

However, not all of this work is done to simply change a patient's appearance. Trained surgeons perform both cosmetic procedures as well as reconstructive surgeries to correct birth defects and fix injuries that were the result of traumatic accidents.

While adults often seen plastic surgery as a way to differentiate themselves, children are more often looking for a way to fit in. They seek to correct a physical characteristic that sets them apart. The most common procedures performed on teens are to reshape noses, pin back ears that stick out, smooth out acne scars or to reduce large breasts.

Teens and parents should discuss and understand the full extent of the potential complications, the healing process required and the scarring that will result. It's usually recommended that any non-surgical alternatives are exhausted before turning to surgical fixes. Many doctors will not perform certain plastic surgery procedures on teens until they are certain that the particular part of the body has finished growing.

Surprisingly, this varies widely. For example, the ears are usually fully developed when children as young as five years old but the nose can continue to develop until a person is about 16. The chin may not fully mature until the age of 21. The exception to this rule may be a breast reduction for a girl who is experiencing physical pain and breathing problems related to overly large breasts.

If a child is serious about wanting plastic surgery, they need to spend plenty of time talking to their parents and doctor. It's important for adults to establish that a teen is emotionally stable and understands the limitations of the surgical treatment. One procedure may improve one aspect of how they look but will not change their overall appearance.

It will not guarantee that they will get more dates or be more popular. If there is any question about a teen's emotional maturity, it might be a good idea for them to visit a therapist prior to undergoing surgery. It's also particularly important to research and interview doctors thoroughly. Families should find a surgeon with whom they comfortable enough with to share openly regarding both their goals and concerns related to the procedure.

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