Teenage Rhinoplasty: What to Know

Most facial plastic surgeries are intended to correct the damage caused by aging, but rhinoplasty makes changes for patients of nearly any age. The results of plastic surgery can last a lifetime, even when performed on younger patients, sometimes in their teenage years. If you are considering rhinoplasty at a younger age, keep these tips in mind as you go through the process.

Make Sure Your Nose Has Matured

Before any facial plastic surgeon will be willing to make changes to your nose, it should have fully matured and stopped growing. An immature nose can have unpredictable results following surgery and may leave you very unsatisfied. This can waste your time, your money, and leave you frustrated, perhaps in need of a revision rhinoplasty. Many facial plastic surgeons agree that young male patients should wait until the age of 17, while young female patients could be ready for rhinoplasty by age 16. To determine whether your nose is fully matured and is ready for rhinoplasty surgery, consult with a facial plastic surgeon who provides this procedure to younger patients.

Understand Your Reason for Rhinoplasty

While most patients of rhinoplasty surgery have a clear understanding of your reasons to seek the procedure, it is especially important that teenage patients make the right choice for themselves. In many cases of young rhinoplasty surgeries, the patient may opt to make changes to his or her nose to avoid bullying at school, many young people face pressures to fit a beauty ideal and blend in with the crowd, avoiding all unwanted attention for being different or unusual. Bullying can cause emotional and psychological trauma for young men and women, so it is understandable that they would be willing to do whatever it takes to avoid further confrontations. Still, jumping to surgery is the only option can also pose risks for these young people and rhinoplasty may not be the best choice.

Talk about why you want to change the appearance of your nose and be sure that it is the right choice for you, your facial plastic surgeon can help you to determine what changes are best for you as well as what types of procedures could bring you the most benefits.

Keep Your Parents And Loved Ones Involved

Even young patients who are able to pay for their own surgeries and opt for surgery without parental consent should keep their families and friends involved in the process. Before and after your surgery, keep your family in the loop so that they can provide the support you need as you go through the rhinoplasty process. Especially during you recovery, you’ll be grateful to have their help.Rhinoplasty can be a very emotional process for any patient, so you will want to involve those you care about in your journey. Remember that it is not a sign of weakness to rely on those around you for support. In fact, it shows your maturity and understanding of the life changes you are making through surgery.

Make Sure Your Expectations Are Realistic

The first step toward rhinoplasty is a consultation between you and your facial plastic surgeon, where you will be asked to provide your complete medical history and any conditions you may have that could prevent healing. Your surgeon will take the time to examine your nose and measure your facial features before making his or her own recommendations. Ultimately, you will work with your facial plastic surgeon to achieve the most natural-looking results possible. You should be prepared to talk about the features of your nose that you would like to change and what results you hope to achieve. Keep in mind that your surgeon is an expert in his or her field and has the experience needed to provide you with the best outcome possible.

Waiting Could Be the Right Choice

For some patients, it may be wise to wait before making life-long changes to the nose. Younger patients who have immature noses or who are not clear on what results they hope to achieve may often benefit from taking more time before surgery. While you may feel the pressure to act quickly, doing so can leave you with unsatisfactory results. It is always better to take the time to think about your decision and be sure that you are totally committed to the rhinoplasty process.

Is It Time for Rhinoplasty?

If you’re ready to begin the rhinoplasty process at any age, it’s time to speak with an expert on the subject. Consult with a facial plastic surgeryto achieve your best results. Dr. Andrew Frankel is board certified in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, as well as Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Ear Nose and Throat). He is exceptionally well trained in the field of nasal surgery and has been recognized for his original research regarding vasculature to the nose and rhinoplasty’s effect on it. Schedule your appointment today with a world-renowned facial plastic surgeon to guarantee your best rhinoplasty results. Contact Dr. Frankel’s office, located at 201 Lasky Drive in Beverly Hills, CA, by calling (310) 552-2173.