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Unnatural Beauty
by Cindy Kuzma, 07.11.03
"You might do something you'll regret — and you can't get your old body parts back." |
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Teens aren't exactly banging down the doors of their local plastic surgeon, demanding nose jobs and liposuction. But some teens do consider plastic surgery as a way to improve their looks and their self-esteem. Here's the vital info on what kinds of procedures are out there — and what you should know before you decide to go under the knife.
The Love-Hate Relationship
Maren says she would never get plastic surgery, and here's why. When Maren was 14, she hated her red hair. But now that she's 18, she loves it. It makes her different, and people always compliment her on it. But what if she'd hated her nose instead of her hair and had gotten a nose job? She would've been stuck with that new smeller. "At that age, everyone is insecure about everything," Maren says. "You might do something you'll regret — and you can't get your old body parts back."
But Marcia, 19, has wanted breast implants since she was 16. "As long as your body is pretty much at the point where you've matured in growth, then I think it's cool to get something done to help with improvements to your body, not to mention your self-esteem," she says.
The Sharp Truth
Your friends might talk about plastic surgery, but chances are none of them has gone through with it. According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), about 10,500 teens got cosmetic surgery in 2001. Sounds like a lot, but that's out of 19 million American teens between the ages of 15 and 19.
Some of the most common plastic surgeries for teens are
- Rhinoplasty — otherwise known as a nose job. Doctors wait until noses are mostly done first, usually sometime after age 14 or 15.
- Breast reduction — bigger isn't always better. Sometimes large breasts hurt girls' shoulders or backs, and boys can develop extra-large breasts, too (it's called gynecomastia). Surgery can make them smaller once they're completely developed.
- Correction of breast asymmetry — girls younger than 18 can't get breast implants unless their breasts are really different sizes (asymmetrical) or they need reconstructive surgery after a disease or an accident.
- Lipoplasty — this is often called liposuction or just lipo. And yes, doctors really do stick a tube into your stomach, butt, or thighs and suck out extra fat!
And rest assured that cosmetic surgery is not just for the ladies. Guys get lipo and rhinoplasty too, and sometimes otoplasty, or ear surgery. Some even get implants in their calves and chests to make their muscles look bigger.
Paying for Plastic
Plastic surgery isn't cheap — the average rhinoplasty, for instance, will set you back about $3,500 — and it's a huge decision. If you're seriously thinking about it, consider these questions:
- Is the body part I want to change finished growing? If not, your surgery could be a bust — your results might change as your body grows.
- Am I really ready for this? Talk to your doctor and your parents about the surgery, especially the concept that it won't magically change your life.
- Is this the right surgeon? With your parents, check your plastic surgeon's credentials and experience.
- How long will it take to recover from surgery and what could go wrong? Like any surgery, plastic surgery is risky. Make sure you understand exactly what you're getting yourself into.
- Who's going to pay? Chances are, your insurance company (or your parents') won't cover it. Do you have a few extra thousand dollars saved up? If not, is it fair to ask your parents to shell out the big bucks because you're not happy with the size of your pecs?
Above all, experts say, make sure you have realistic expectations. Surgery probably won't make you look like a model or a movie star, it's unlikely to make you more popular or get you more dates, and it will definitely not change your life.
If a part of your body is really making your life difficult — for instance, if you have breasts that are so large that they cause you pain, or severe acne scars that make you embarrassed to even go outside — you might want to talk to your parents about surgery. But if you just wouldn't mind looking a little better, there are lots of ways to improve your body and your self-esteem that don't involve a scalpel or stitches. |
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