Teenage RhinoplastyPlastic Surgery in Latham, New York

The teenage years can be difficult to navigate, even in the best of times.

Self-image can be a tricky thing, especially during and around adolescence when bodies are changing, and the opinion of peers is given significant weight.

Teenage girls who are unhappy with the way they look may feel insecure, which can cause them to have social problems.

Remember there is no wrong way for a nose to look, and many people with a nose that may be considered too large, asymmetrical, or out of proportion with the rest of the face are still confident in their appearance.

Other young people may not be satisfied with the look or function of their nose due to its natural development, trauma experienced at some point (such as a blow to the face by a stray soccer ball), or a combination of the two.

Plastic surgery is an intensely personal and serious decision.

Anyone considering teenage rhinoplasty should fully explore the reasons behind the desire for a cosmetic change, as well as the risks and benefits associated with the procedure.

Since teenage rhinoplasty is, by its very nature, intended for minors, the process must involve a legal guardian responsible for approving decisions.

Teenage rhinoplasty surgeries include the same procedures available in adult-oriented rhinoplasty to correct a nasal hump, large nose, saddle nose, crooked nose, crooked tip or nasal base, pinched tip, or drooping nose.

In some cases, the cosmetic issue may be linked to an underlying structural problem that impedes proper breathing.

Nose surgery to address breathing issues is known as septoplasty, and may be performed concurrently or separately from cosmetic nose surgery.

Teenage Rhinoplasty Consultation

A plastic surgery consultation is a chance for prospective patients to meet with a plastic surgeon and learn about their experience, their surgical plan, and previous patient results.

It is always important to select a surgeon with considerable experience in nasal surgery, but for teenage rhinoplasty, it is vital to choose a doctor who has extensively worked with young people and is familiar with their unique needs and demands — as well as facial anatomy.

During the consultation, Dr. Williams uses digital imaging to show patients what their surgical results could look like, by editing a photo of the patient to reflect the effects of teenage rhinoplasty.

Teenage Rhinoplasty Surgery

A surgeon performing teenage rhinoplasty (or any nasal surgery) should aim to provide natural-looking results that enhance the patient’s facial aesthetics, not radically depart from them for a dramatically noticeable change.

Dr. Williams primarily performs surgeries using the closed rhinoplasty technique, which avoids external incisions and sutures.

This technique leads to invisible scars since they are on the interior of the nose instead of the exterior skin.

He prefers the closed technique because working internally allows any resulting scars to remain hidden inside the nose.

Teenage Rhinoplasty Recovery

Rhinoplasty requires time for recovery for recuperation and recovery afterward, and rhinoplasty for teenage patients is no exception.

During the first few weeks, patients should take great care to avoid contact sports and other activities that may lead to a physical blow to the nose.

With the nose left alone to heal, visible swelling should go down in a matter of weeks, while healing for the entire structure, inside and out, could take up to a year.

The Plastic Surgery Center at Williams will provide aftercare instructions and be available for patients with questions that arise throughout the healing process.

As with all surgeries, there is a small risk of post-procedure infection or bleeding.