What are the risks of a teen having a nose job surgery?

Question:
My 15 year-old-daughter has been asking for a nose job. I, however, do not feel that it is appropriate for someone her age to have such a serious cosmetic procedure. What are the risks of a teen having this kind of surgery?

Answer:
Your question is one that is debated on many levels.  Nose jobs all come with a list of potential complications.  Fortunately, complications following nose jobs are usually limited.  The need for revision of the nose job is what I would consider the greatest potential complication, but, the issues that need to be corrected are usually minor and correctable.  The real question you seem to be posing is whether or not it is appropriate for a 15 year old girl to have a nose job.  Physically your daughter is likely mature enough to undergo rhinoplasty surgery without any issues related to her age as women are generally physically matured by age 15. 

In terms of your concern with your daughters self image and her desire for a nose job, that is an entirely personal issue for her.   During my nose job consults I am very aware of the desires and motivation of patients who are seeking cosmetic surgery and especially young individuals who are looking to have rhinoplasty.  Believe me when I tell you that in the proper individual the transformation in their self-esteem following rhinoplasty is astounding.  The appearance of a nose can have such a dramatic impact on an individual in both positive and negative ways.  I love performing rhinoplasty on young individuals who are suitable candidates for the surgery on both an appearance and emotional level because of how good these individuals feel about themselves after their surgery.  In the right individual, and this is not everyone who seeks my services, rhinoplasty is life transforming.

Posted by Dr. Philip Schoenfeld