Perhaps you’ve fantasized about getting plastic surgery. Or maybe you’re even serious about it, to the point that you’re talking to your mom and dad.
You’re not alone in your interest in plastic surgery. The number of teens getting plastic surgery is on the rise, with an increase in procedures such as tummy tucks, liposuction, breast augmentation, nose reshaping, and breast lifts. And there is definitely a place for reconstructive surgery to correct cleft lips and palates, as well as surgery for extremely prominent deformities. But when it comes to elective cosmetic surgery on healthy teens who are unhappy with their looks, and want to “look normal,” much caution is needed, experts say.
How much do looks matter to you? Take this body image quiz and find out.
Developing Bodies
The teen-age body is still maturing. For girls, for example, growth continues even up to the ages of 18 to 21, and sometimes even beyond. Females can continue to gain weight and develop as well. So though you might feel like an ideal candidate for breast augmentation or liposuction, your body is still undergoing changes, and believe it or not, you might decide later that your body shape is just fine. In fact, some people regret having surgery in their teens, feeling as if their bodies would have been better off without surgery. It is not known, either, what the long-term risks are of getting plastic surgery in a developing teen.
Experts say that if you have unrealistic expectations and you have low self-esteem or no friends, cosmetic surgery is almost definitely not the right answer.
Serious Business
Corrective surgery is rarely covered by health insurance, although it depends on the situation and the condition. Plastic surgery can cost thousands of dollars, which is a huge monetary investment, but more importantly, you’re putting yourself at risk for infection, scarring, and other complications. Ads may make it seem simple – “Affordable liposuction. Boost your body confidence” – but it’s easy to focus on exaggerated benefits and ignore the risks. We focus on the “cosmetic” part but not the “surgery.” Liposuction, for example, has potentially serious risks as tissue or nerve damage, blood clots, and excessive fluid loss that can lead to shock or death. One 18-year-old Pennsylvania girl recently died from a likely pulmonary embolism after liposuction. “Don’t assume that the body is always accommodating when subjected to invasive procedures,” says Dr. Roberto Olivardia, a body image expert from Harvard Medical School. At the same time, there are good reasons for some teens to pursue cosmetic surgery in certain instances, such as those that affect self-esteem to such a degree that a consultation is in order.
Screening
Reputable plastic surgeons will use psychological testing to carefully screen potential patients to find out why they want to undergo surgery. Some possible reasons for plastic surgery: “ I want to please my boyfriend or girlfriend;” “My clothes will fit better;” or, the most often heard rationale: “I want to fit in.” Although these reasons may seem reasonable now, are they really sound arguments for undergoing such grave medical procedures? On the other hand, if a girl suffers from severe back and neck pain and her physician recommends considering breast reduction, this might be something she would want to consider. Both the Food and Drug Administration and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons advise that young women under 18 not get breast implants for purely cosmetic reasons.
Body Acceptance
Is confidence and happiness really linked to getting rid of a big nose, heavy thighs, or acne scars? It really depends on the situation. Almost everyone—adults and teens alike—feel self-conscious about an imperfect body feature and wishes there was something they could change about it. Much of this body dissatisfaction can change with age and acceptance. Getting liposuction, for example, might seem like a good solution, especially for a teen who’s struggled and struggled to lose weight, but with little success. But even liposuction candidates are often asked to lose weight before the surgery is conducted. And if parents and friends don’t see a problem (“You look fine”), then it’s very possible that that perception is correct. On the other hand, being teased for years for a hook nose or Mickey Mouse ears? Well, having cosmetic surgery may just be the remedy needed before venturing into the adult world – provided the decision is made at the right age and with thoughtful discussion by family and health provider.
But for the majority of teens: Don’t fall into the perfection trap created by a society obsessed with looks. “Keep in mind that what is hot today may not be tomorrow. If you undergo a cosmetic procedure, you cannot undo it, or at least undo it without risk,” says Olivardia. An endless parade of thin, but curvy beauties can make anyone feel inadequate, but heed the old saying: beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Think of yourself as beautiful—and you probably will be.
This article was reviewed by BodiMojo expert Roberto Olivardia, Ph.D.
