More teens seek plastic surgery; parents, take care
The "before" and "after" drawings are rudimentary, the wiggly lines and stick-figure depictions typical of a child's untrained hand. But there is power in the expression.
In the first sketch, the round-faced boy calls himself "Sad Scott," his ears portrayed as giant balloons floating out from each side of his head. In the "after" drawing, completed post-surgery, the ears are non-distinct nubs, the tears are gone, and the sun smiles overhead. He is now "Glad Scott."
Every year, hundreds of thousands of children go under the knife in what has long been considered an adult undertaking —cosmetic surgery. Like their adult counterparts, they're seeking transformative escape from a host of imperfections, some perceived, some truly challenging.
This blooming trend, especially among 13- to 19-year-olds, is so common in 21st century America that one noted reconstructive and cosmetic specialist says plastic surgery for teens "is becoming mainstream."
In the first sketch, the round-faced boy calls himself "Sad Scott," his ears portrayed as giant balloons floating out from each side of his head. In the "after" drawing, completed post-surgery, the ears are non-distinct nubs, the tears are gone, and the sun smiles overhead. He is now "Glad Scott."
Every year, hundreds of thousands of children go under the knife in what has long been considered an adult undertaking —cosmetic surgery. Like their adult counterparts, they're seeking transformative escape from a host of imperfections, some perceived, some truly challenging.
This blooming trend, especially among 13- to 19-year-olds, is so common in 21st century America that one noted reconstructive and cosmetic specialist says plastic surgery for teens "is becoming mainstream."
"In 2008 alone, nearly 300,000 teens underwent aesthetic plastic surgery," said Dr. Frederick N. Lukash, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York and the spokesman for the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. "Those numbers are rising, and for every teen that underwent plastic surgery, 10 more are online right now researching the procedure they've been thinking about during every gym session, sleepover party or prom."
There is both dread and hope in that growing reality — dread for the kids who mistakenly believe plastic surgery can "cure" more deep-seated insecurities, hope for the many who have real deformities that surgery can forever erase.
It's the former that has therapists like Fran Sherman worried.
"Plastic surgery for teens is becoming mainstream, and it's scary," said Sherman, a licensed psychotherapist in Royal Palm Beach who specializes in adolescents. "Do I believe plastic surgery is a bad thing? No. But 16-year-olds don't need breast enhancement surgery."
Adults do not corner the market in the unrealistic search for perfection. Many teens, especially girls overly influenced by beauty's bony depiction in airbrushed fashion photos, define their self-worth, and others', in physical terms. Add the inherently awkward stage of adolescence, and the need for peer approval, and the stage is set for time-honored struggles with self-image.
Through this warped looking glass, imperfections can seem intolerable, and fixable — a belief too often enabled by indulgent parents. In some circles, giving breast enhancements, nose jobs andliposuction as high school graduation and birthday gifts is both practical and chic.
But for young patients who want to fit some Hollywood standard, not legitimately address a disfiguring abnormality, Sherman says surgery will do little to build confidence. Instead, it may only teach them to turn to quick fixes for superficial concerns while the real problems continue to fester below the surface.
"We as a society have to do better at building our kids' self-esteem. It has to come from within, from the inside out," she said. "You're not going to get secure looking for a Band-Aid."
But Sherman and Lukash agree there are plenty of times when plastic surgery is the right choice for teens.
In fact, Lukash believes unnecessary procedures represent a small percentage of teen plastic surgeries. More typical are kids like Sad Scott, a former patient whose protruding ears significantly impaired his ability to feel "normal" among his peers.
After surgery, the boy's outlook on life was instantly brighter, as seen in the "before" and "after" drawings Lukash had him sketch out as a way to prepare him — for surgery and after.
"My life became easier because of a very simple procedure," Scott wrote his doctor years later. "I could have lived my life with big ears, but I didn't have to. The fact that I was able to become so comfortable gave me the freedom to be a very open person."
Lukash's 30 years of treating children like Scott, and collecting their thoughts and artistic expressions, inspired him to write "The Safe and Sane Guide to Teenage Plastic Surgery" to help teens and parents navigate the difficult question of when surgery is appropriate.
The answer: It depends — on the child, his reasons for wanting surgery, whether he understands the risks involved, whether his concerns will be addressed by surgery, and so much more.
"Plastic surgery is not a panacea for teen angst," Lukash said.
But for legitimate physical abnormalities that affect the way the child feels and is treated by others — unusually large breasts on boys or girls, cleft lip, scar damage, ears that stick out, even an excessively large nose — surgery may prove life-altering.
Key to ensuring a successful outcome is seeking out board-certified surgeons who are not going to take every dollar that walks in the door, but who will take the time to honestly weigh whether surgery is the healthiest option.
"I'm not a slave," said board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Shuter of Jupiter, who refuses to perform procedures on teens as graduation or birthday gifts. "When someone comes into the office, they're interviewing me, but I'm also interviewing them."
And he has no problem turning business away if he decides surgery is a bad idea.
Of course, not all plastic surgeons are so judicious. The Food and Drug Administration has limited the use of breast implants in girls younger than 18, but plenty of doctors ignore those guidelines. Cutting patients open, under anesthesia, is risky under the best of circumstances. Taking such risks unnecessarily, especially on children, smacks of irresponsibility.
Even if surgery is the answer, going under the knife is not child's play. The parents of West Boca 18-year-old Stephanie Kubela know that all too well. The pretty high school cheerleader sought surgery to correct inverted nipples and breast asymmetry in 2008, but died on the operating table of a raregenetic disorder, malignant hyperthermia, that was triggered by the anesthesia.
So if you're wondering whether plastic surgery is right for your child, the answer is not simple. It's going to take a lot of research, and thought. You better start now.
There is both dread and hope in that growing reality — dread for the kids who mistakenly believe plastic surgery can "cure" more deep-seated insecurities, hope for the many who have real deformities that surgery can forever erase.
It's the former that has therapists like Fran Sherman worried.
"Plastic surgery for teens is becoming mainstream, and it's scary," said Sherman, a licensed psychotherapist in Royal Palm Beach who specializes in adolescents. "Do I believe plastic surgery is a bad thing? No. But 16-year-olds don't need breast enhancement surgery."
Adults do not corner the market in the unrealistic search for perfection. Many teens, especially girls overly influenced by beauty's bony depiction in airbrushed fashion photos, define their self-worth, and others', in physical terms. Add the inherently awkward stage of adolescence, and the need for peer approval, and the stage is set for time-honored struggles with self-image.
Through this warped looking glass, imperfections can seem intolerable, and fixable — a belief too often enabled by indulgent parents. In some circles, giving breast enhancements, nose jobs andliposuction as high school graduation and birthday gifts is both practical and chic.
But for young patients who want to fit some Hollywood standard, not legitimately address a disfiguring abnormality, Sherman says surgery will do little to build confidence. Instead, it may only teach them to turn to quick fixes for superficial concerns while the real problems continue to fester below the surface.
"We as a society have to do better at building our kids' self-esteem. It has to come from within, from the inside out," she said. "You're not going to get secure looking for a Band-Aid."
But Sherman and Lukash agree there are plenty of times when plastic surgery is the right choice for teens.
In fact, Lukash believes unnecessary procedures represent a small percentage of teen plastic surgeries. More typical are kids like Sad Scott, a former patient whose protruding ears significantly impaired his ability to feel "normal" among his peers.
After surgery, the boy's outlook on life was instantly brighter, as seen in the "before" and "after" drawings Lukash had him sketch out as a way to prepare him — for surgery and after.
"My life became easier because of a very simple procedure," Scott wrote his doctor years later. "I could have lived my life with big ears, but I didn't have to. The fact that I was able to become so comfortable gave me the freedom to be a very open person."
Lukash's 30 years of treating children like Scott, and collecting their thoughts and artistic expressions, inspired him to write "The Safe and Sane Guide to Teenage Plastic Surgery" to help teens and parents navigate the difficult question of when surgery is appropriate.
The answer: It depends — on the child, his reasons for wanting surgery, whether he understands the risks involved, whether his concerns will be addressed by surgery, and so much more.
"Plastic surgery is not a panacea for teen angst," Lukash said.
But for legitimate physical abnormalities that affect the way the child feels and is treated by others — unusually large breasts on boys or girls, cleft lip, scar damage, ears that stick out, even an excessively large nose — surgery may prove life-altering.
Key to ensuring a successful outcome is seeking out board-certified surgeons who are not going to take every dollar that walks in the door, but who will take the time to honestly weigh whether surgery is the healthiest option.
"I'm not a slave," said board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Shuter of Jupiter, who refuses to perform procedures on teens as graduation or birthday gifts. "When someone comes into the office, they're interviewing me, but I'm also interviewing them."
And he has no problem turning business away if he decides surgery is a bad idea.
Of course, not all plastic surgeons are so judicious. The Food and Drug Administration has limited the use of breast implants in girls younger than 18, but plenty of doctors ignore those guidelines. Cutting patients open, under anesthesia, is risky under the best of circumstances. Taking such risks unnecessarily, especially on children, smacks of irresponsibility.
Even if surgery is the answer, going under the knife is not child's play. The parents of West Boca 18-year-old Stephanie Kubela know that all too well. The pretty high school cheerleader sought surgery to correct inverted nipples and breast asymmetry in 2008, but died on the operating table of a raregenetic disorder, malignant hyperthermia, that was triggered by the anesthesia.
So if you're wondering whether plastic surgery is right for your child, the answer is not simple. It's going to take a lot of research, and thought. You better start now.
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