Common Reasons For Why Some Children And Teenagers Are Having Plastic Surgery
Plastic surgery is often seen as something that is offered to adults alone. While having plastic surgery performed can be a major, life-altering decision, there are many situations in which it is justified and appropriate to have your child undergo plastic surgery.
Plastic Surgery Might Reduce Bullying
One of the most common problems that children face when they suffer from physical deformities is relentless teasing and bullying. For example, a child might have a cleft lip or a deformed ear repaired. Since bullying can have lasting damage on a child, plastic surgery might be justified. However, it is important that your child ultimately decide whether he or she will have the surgery performed while being fully informed about the risks.
Plastic Surgery Can Heal The Past
If your child has undergone a traumatic event that has lead to his or her face being damaged, it may be justified to have your child undergo plastic surgery. By doing this, your child will not have a constant reminder of an experience that may be as emotionally scarring as it is physically scarring.
Plastic Surgery May Give Your Child A Self-Esteem Boost
Cosmetic surgery is a different area of plastic surgery from restorative surgery. Cosmetic plastic surgery is used to improve the appearance of the patient with the purpose of improving the patient's self-esteem. There are many teenagers and pre-teens who would love to have cosmetic surgery to improve their appearances, but the permission of a parent is required in order for someone under 18 to go forward with the procedure. Some forms of plastic surgery are not allowed until the patient is 18 or older, such as breast augmentation. Rhinoplasty is only performed on children who are 13 or older. Breast reduction is performed on girls who have breasts so large that they cause back pain. Other forms of plastic surgery that children can usually have performed at any age include liposuction and otoplasty.
There are many children and teenagers who have realistic goals and who understand what they can expect from the procedure. They initiate the request for plastic surgery, rather than having the procedure initiated by a parent. But while they may initiate the discussion over plastic surgery, you can play a role in deciding whether your child will ultimately decide whether the procedure is right for him or her and you can also make sure that your child performs adequate research into the procedure. For more information, talk to doctors at facilities like Shriners Hospitals for Children – Cincinnati.