PLASTIC SURGERY

Q: Our 16-year old daughter really wants plastic surgery but we think she’s too young. What do you think? A: I hear this question often because more teens are getting plastic surgery than ever. The latest American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) 2017 study says teens had 229,000 cosmetic procedures performed in the U.S., which is up 11% in just one year! This growth has caused the ASPS to issue some endorsements for this age group, and to recommend the best ages to perform surgery for noses (rhinoplasty), ears (otoplasty) and cleft lips, as well as breast reductions for young men and women. The general feeling is that serious concerns in these areas likely will not lessen as children become adults, and ignoring these situations could even cause emotional harm. This ASPS study also says that other surgeries require closer consideration. There is no question that many concerns are being fueled by social media. “The average millennial takes over 25,000 selfies in their lifetime, which is astronomical and one of the major reasons for the selfesteem issues in this age group,” the report said. One of the problems is that the unprofessional taking of selfies often does not represent how their face or body typically appears. Some teens keep looking at one unflattering photo and convince themselves they need plastic surgery. They don’t yet have the wisdom or experience to really evaluate if they should have a concern. Your loving and empathetic parental involvement is crucial. If your teenager is this serious, I suggest a family consultation in my office, to help your child understand all the important details, including reasons why she may or may not have the indications and the maturity to have plastic surgery. Dr. Paul Vanek M.D., F.A.C.S. Vanek Plastic Surgery 9485 Mentor Ave #100 Mentor, OH 44060 440-205-5750 www.MentorPlasticSurgery.com Accepting new patients for non-intrusive and surgical cosmetic and reconstructive solutions