When Is Plastic Surgery Performed On Children?

Many people do not think of children when they think about plastic surgery, but there are kids who get some type of surgical procedure to change their looks. In some cases, it is warranted, but in other cases, parents are criticized for their decision. Get an idea of some of the most common reasons parents might let their children get surgical treatment to change their appearance.

Some kids are born with defects that can be distracting or even humiliating. For example, they might not have fully formed ears, or maybe only one looks normal. There are a number of issues that might affect kids at a young age, and since they do not get any better with time, it may make sense to fix them early on. This can prevent some of the bullying and low self-esteem problems that people with appearance irregularities may experience. For this reason, some doctors are willing to perform plastic surgery on young patients.

Some patients are not born with appearance-related problems, but a traumatic accident causes them. For instance, a serious dog bite can change the face, leaving the child looking nothing like before. A car accident can have the same effect. In these instances, the at-fault party or their insurance provider may even pay for the plastic surgery since it is often considered a necessity. If they just want to look normal again, such children may desire surgical treatment of this kind.

Of course, there are parents who are okay with their children getting treatment simply to change their features so they look better. Most people frown on this, and few doctors would do it. However, some parents find a way around the typical rules. Their kids may end up getting treatment that makes their face more symmetrical, reduces the size of their nose, or even gets rid of excess fat. Though this practice is rare, the most likely people to do it are those whose career and reputation hinge on physical beauty. Therefore, beauty pageant contestants, actors, and models may get plastic surgery at a young age, especially when their parents are fine with it or even pressure them to do it.

It goes without saying that few people think plastic surgery for children is a positive thing. However, sometimes it is necessary, such as after trauma that changes the appearance. If you have any reason to think your child may benefit from surgical treatment to fix the appearance, you should try to find a surgeon with experience treating younger patients.