If you have obesity or diabetes, you may be at greater risk of complications. All surgeries, including cosmetic procedures, carry risks. Complications can include problems with wound healing, blood clots, and infections. Smoking also increases risks and slows healing. The most common procedures teens choose include nose reshaping, ear surgery, treating acne and acne scars, and breast reduction.
All surgical procedures carry risks. Plastic and reconstructive surgery procedures are often complex. They can alter sensitive structures close to major organs or delicate tissues. Cosmetic procedures can make significant changes to areas of the body that would otherwise be healthy. A continuous effort to produce quality peer-reviewed basic and clinical anatomical and clinical research, together with technical improvements, will serve to improve safety in cosmetic surgery.
Do your research, know the risks, and trust a board-certified plastic surgeon to perform your cosmetic or reconstructive surgery. With the advent of the super-wet technique instead of tumescent liposuction and the appropriate training of board-certified plastic surgeons, the mortality rate was dramatically reduced and liposuction is now considered to be one of the safest cosmetic procedures performed. The terms “reconstructive plastic surgery” and “cosmetic surgery” may seem similar, but they represent different types of procedures. Girls who want to enlarge their breasts for aesthetic reasons should generally be at least 18 years old because saline implants are only approved for women over 18. While health insurance covers many reconstructive surgeries, the cost of cosmetic procedures almost always comes straight out of the patient's pocket.
A plastic surgeon, dermatologist, otolaryngologist (ear, nose and throat specialist), or others can perform cosmetic surgery on you. There are different types of plastic surgery, including reconstructive surgery, birth defect repair, cosmetic surgery, and more. Procedures and healing times vary, so it's recommended that you research what your particular procedure involves and whether the surgery is reconstructive or aesthetic. Despite being informed and prepared, you may be surprised at the bruises and swelling that appear after cosmetic surgery.
But what if you undergo cosmetic surgery just to change your appearance? Is this a good idea for teenagers? As with everything, there are right and wrong reasons to have surgery. Teens who undergo cosmetic procedures, such as otoplasty (surgery to fix ears that stick out backwards) or dermabrasion (a procedure that can help soften or camouflage severe acne scars) are sometimes more comfortable with their appearance after the procedure. For example, breast enlargement surgery is considered a purely cosmetic procedure and is rarely covered by insurance.
