As summer winds to an end and kids return to school, many of us begin looking towards the end of the year. Before long, the holidays will be upon us. Perhaps you’re already making your list of who’s been naughty and who’s been nice, with kids clamoring for every toy they see, from dolls and trucks, to iPads and even a rhinoplasty.
Though the subject may remain taboo among traditionalists, rhinoplasty is the most common plastic surgery performed among teens. As growing individuals, a teen’s self-worth will evolve over time. Parents may instill good values such as mental strength in their children, only to find that our society may have contributed to their son’s or daughter’s perception of his or her looks, and often negatively so. If a teen feels the need to improve the nose over an extended period of time, consultation with an experienced rhinoplasty surgeon.
The month of December is one of the busiest times for rhinoplasty surgeons. The holiday break is often used for the recovery after surgery. The young patient has adequate downtime to heal and grow comfortable with the newly improved nose. In addition, some parents may find that the gift of self-esteem is far greater than any gadgets or material items they could have given their child.
Because the nose must be fully developed before it is operated on, girls should be at least 15 years of age, while boys should be 16 to undergo a rhinoplasty. This is about when the nose has reached the size it will remain throughout one’s adult life. These are general guidelines and age may vary among patients. The teen should also be mentally mature enough to understand what to expect from the surgery, including any risks or complications that may arise.
Only the parents of a teen wishing to undergo a rhinoplasty can determine what is best for their son or daughter. At an adult age, the youth can make a more informed decision and cover the cost of his or her own surgery; however, disliking the look of one’s own face can drastically compromise the self-esteem, especially during the formative teenage years. Dr. Bustillo speaks extensively with both parents and teen patients at his South Florida office to prepare for the procedure and determine if the patient is mentally and physically ready for surgery. The aesthetic goals between the parent and teen may vary, and it is the role of the doctor to explain what look would best suit the patient. The benefits to receiving a rhinoplasty during the teenage years are immediate improvement of the feature, the return to healthy self-esteem, and a generous amount of time available for healing.
Dr. Bustillo holds a dual board certification with the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. His professional accomplishments include four prestigious memberships, published book chapters, and numerous peer-reviewed journal articles. Call Dr. Bustillo at his Coral Gables, Florida plastic surgery practice to set up a consultation for you and your teen today at (305) 663-3380.