Q. What do you think about the trend for teenage girls obtaining plastic surgery (breast reduction/augmentation, rhinoplasty)?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
The decision to undergo plastic surgery is a very personal one, and teenage girls should only make that choice if they are certain it’s the right one for them. Plastic surgery is a big step and usually has permanent consequences that can lead to physical, emotional, and financial ramifications.
Although the trend of teenage girls undergoing plastic surgery may be growing in popularity, there are potential risks we must consider before making such a decision. The most common risks associated with cosmetic procedures include bleeding and infection from the surgical site; nerve damage or changes which could result in loss of sensation; asymmetry or an unnatural look due to uneven features; adverse reactions to anesthesia; scarring; and an inability to proceed with further corrective surgeries if needed.
In addition, psychological impacts of plastic surgery cannot be overlooked. Many teenagers often overestimate their recovery time or underestimate their ability to cope with post-operative pain– both of which can contribute heavily to negative self-image issues or depression related to unrealistic expectations on results. Teens should make sure they’re not seeking out these procedures as an easy fix for deeper issues like low self-esteem or body image problems resulting from bullying/trauma prior to doing anything so drastic as a plastic surgery procedure.
Plastic surgeons should also evaluate candidates thoroughly beforehand by factoring in age (teens must meet certain age requirements depending on the procedure), mental health history (to ensure patients understand what they’re getting into before signing up), weight/apple size (extreme weight fluctuations can cause complications during healing process) and other medical records requested by their provider prior proceeding with any type of cosmetic work.
At the end of the day, it is important for teens considering this procedure think about whether going under the knife will really help them reach their desired outcomes without causing more harm than good down line – both physically & emotionally speaking!