If you're new to the Perfect Yourself Cosmetic Surgery blog, you may want to subscribe to our RSS feed, Follow Us on Twitter or our Facebook Fan page. Thanks for visiting!
What is a parent to do? Their child is convinced that, if only they could fix their physical flaws, life would be perfect. But, as it is, their nose is too big. Or their breasts are too small. Or their ears stick out. Or their thighs are too fat…And because they are young and insecure and believe a beautiful body is the most important thing on earth, they are willing to undergo any pain and risk to achieve their goal.
Plastic surgery for teenagers is a growth industry. Last year, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) just fewer than 220,000 cosmetic plastic surgery procedures were performed on people age 13-19. And it’s not just in the U.S. that young people are opting to enhance their looks by going “under the knife” – increasing numbers of teenagers in Australia, parts of Asia, and Britain are also reported to be seeking cosmetic surgery.
For American teenagers who are over 18, the decision to have work done is between them and their plastic surgeon. The under-18s need parental permission, however, and – in almost every case – parental cash. As many parents have found, it can be very hard when a beloved child is in real distress and begging for help to change the shape of their nose or the size of their breasts.
Today’s teenagers are bombarded with images of perfect people as never before. Because of air-brushing, glossy magazine stars are impossibly idealized – every human bump and sag and spot smoothed away. Moreover, plastic surgery now has widespread acceptance, indeed approval. Very few would be embarrassed to admit to a nose job or breast enhancement.
However, there is a significant difference between the young person wanting a prettier nose or a bigger bosom, than the young person who suffers agonies of self-hatred because of what they see as a deformity. A sensitive teenager can experience real anguish and negative body image for reasons that an adult might not understand. It is therefore important to listen to a child who repeatedly expresses loathing of their looks, or who has an extreme desire to hide their body away.
Common teenage “hates” include large or misshapen noses, assymetrical breasts, ears that stick out, and in young males, obvious breast tissue.
At present, the most common procedures for young people in the U.S. include:
• Rhinoplasty – nose re-shaping
• Otoplasty – protruding ear correction
• Correction of Breast Assymetry
• Breast Augmentation
• Breast reduction
• Gynecomastia (Male Breast Reduction)
The ASPS advises that both the physical and emotional maturity of any teenager must be evaluated before any decisions are made about surgery. The ASPS states:
• While parental support is essential, the teenager's own desire for plastic surgery must be clearly expressed and repeated over a period of time.
• The young person must appreciate both the benefits and limitations of plastic surgery, avoiding unrealistic expectations about life changes that will occur as a result of the procedure.
• The teenager is mature enough to cope with the discomfort of surgery, and the temporary disfigurement. Plastic surgery is not recommended for teenagers prone to mood swings and erratic behaviour, or who are being treated for clinical depression or mental illness.
The major point to remember in all cases, however, is that individual cases must be carefully evaluated under the guidance of a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. These surgeons will have graduated from an accredited medical school and have completed at least six years of surgical training, with at least three years of plastic surgery.
No surgery is risk free, but parents can ensure their child is in the hands of an accredited practitioner. The surgeon will ensure that information to be discussed with the parents or guardians, as well as the patient, includes the details of the surgery, the benefits, possible consequences and side effects of the operation, and the potential risks and adverse outcomes.
Related posts:
