Bullied Teen’s Story Highlights Benefits of Rhinoplasty in Patients of All Ages

A news story about a 13-year-old rhinoplasty patient caught my attention recently.  The young girl had broken her nose twice when she was younger and suffered from low self-esteem and bullying on the internet.  Now entering high school with a new nose, the girl feels much more confident in her appearance and says she is more likely to ignore the taunts of her peers.

The decision was not easy for her parents who knew that being teased was part of middle and high school, but wanted their daughter to remember her youth not by the teasing she received both in-person and online, but in a more positive light.

Teenage rhinoplasty is more common than one might think.  According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, over 35,000 rhinoplasties were performed on patients 13-19 years old in 2010.  Whether for cosmetic or reconstructive purposes, nose surgery can help boost self-confidence and remedy breathing problems caused by issues like a deviated septum.  In fact, several of my spotlight patients have been under the age of 18.

Even though there are many potential benefits to teenage rhinoplasty, there are still important factors that everyone involved (parent, patient, and doctor) must take into consideration.  The teen’s emotional and physical maturity, the reasons for wanting to undergo cosmetic surgery, and the patient’s expectations are all elements that should be discussed before surgery.

Before I take on any patient, I like to discuss all these factors with the teen and the parent as well as get to know them personally.  Because the nose is both an aesthetic and functioning facial feature, board certified surgeons must specialize in nose reshaping in order to maintain mastery of the silhouette while maintaining adequate breathing pathways.  Also, as teens grow older their facial features change so it’s important the facial maturation be complete so as to not impede with nose surgery results.

Whether you’re considering rhinoplasty because of a breathing problem or a cosmetic issue, I recommend you schedule a consultation for more information on how rhinoplasty (nose reshaping) surgery works and how it could benefit you.  You can also connect with us on Facebook and Twitter for more news and updates.