Teen Plastic Surgery
From rhinoplasty to breast augmentation, teenagers are gaining self-confidence with cosmetic procedures.
Is teen plastic surgery right for you? Speak today with NYC plastic surgeon Dr. Preminger.
Plastic surgery for teens
Self-confidence can be very transformational to a teenager’s life and open the door to opportunity. The right cosmetic procedure performed on the right patient at the right time can greatly impact a young person’s physical and emotional development. Dr. B. Aviva Preminger requires a consultation prior to surgery where she assesses the physical and emotional maturity of teenagers requesting surgery. She is renowned for being particularly “real” with her youngest patients — discussing not only the risks and recovery, but also what expectations can be reasonably expected. In 2015, more than 226,000 cosmetic procedures were performed on the 13-19 demographic, including 65,000 surgeries.
Breast implants and reduction surgery
More than half of teens seeking breast surgery (52%) are looking to enhance the size of their bust line. Summer vacation is one of the most popular times for teen breast augmentation procedures.
When a 17-year-old senior decided to boost her bust from an A to a C cup, she told NY Daily News: “I don’t plan to tell anyone. People go through so many changes at my age, anyway, they may not notice. I just feel so much happier now, more comfortable in my own skin.”
While teen breast implants are popular, there are also many congenital and developmental deformities that can be corrected through breast surgery, including:
- Severe asymmetry (15%)
- Absent breast tissue due to Poland’s Syndrome (12%) or Micromastia (9%)
- Tubular breast deformity (10%)
Breast reduction surgery can help teen girls who:
- Feel self-conscious about being larger on top than her peers
- Have trouble playing sports
- Suffer from back pain
- Cannot find clothing that fits well
More than 50% of boys will develop slightly enlarged breast buds at some point during their puberty years. Most cases will resolve within a year or two, but the 10% of boys suffering from persistent gynecomastia in their later teens may opt to have their condition corrected surgically.
Plastic surgery and teenagers: special considerations
Patient selection is crucial, no matter the age. Generally, patients old and young should be free from bleeding disorders and unmanaged health issues such as diabetes, high blood pressure or cholesterol, heart or lung disease, autoimmune disorders, obesity, severe allergies, and body dysmorphic disorder. Psychological issues can also rule out some candidates for plastic surgery.
Studies show that self-image tends to increase in the late teens and early twenties, regardless of whether or not a person has had surgery – just due to increases in brain maturity. So teen patients really have to ask themselves if a particular physical condition is something that causes deep unhappiness on a daily basis — or if it’s something that can be put off a little longer.
To learn more about the plastic surgery procedures offered by Dr. Preminger, we invite you to schedule a private consultation by calling (212) 706-1900 or contacting us online.