Is 15 Too Young to Have a Nose Surgery?

Updated on July 22, 2010
Y.C. asks from Orlando, FL
13 answers

The daughter of a friend just got her nose done as a Sweet Sixteen present. They say they did it now so she could be at her party total heal, and that the doctor say it takes around a year to see the final result.
When I ask her if she ask the doctors (more then one) if it was safe to do it at this early age, she told me that she did and the doctor said that at that age it was ok. I have to mention that the older brother of the girl is a doctor (I don't know his specialty).
The nose of the girl was big and the doctor did a good job, but doesn't her bones still growing at this age? Does anesthesia have the same risk in a grown up then in a child? Would you pay for your kid's nose job at this age if is that important for them?
What are you thoughts?
Mom of Teen, I am sorry if this wasn't clear enough. I think you maybe didn't read my whole question.
I am not asking to stop or give my opinion to her (is already done) I also NEVER said I was against or in favor, I ask because I was curious about what other moms think about it. That is why I ask, :What are you thoughts? Would you do it or not?

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So What Happened?

Thanks ladies, after talking to my friend I wasn't sure what I would I do on if I was on her shoes, My head tells me that is not a good idea because every surgery involves a risk and I should help her in being happy with who she is but my heart tells me that if her self esteem was being hurt because of it I would do allow it if it was safe. I think it would be a difficult decision for me and dad for sure would say no way.
Are boys any easier?

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J.C.

answers from New York on

If her nose was huge and it made her feel badly about herself, I'd let her fix it. Why not. When I was in high school in the 80s, all the girls (and guys) would come back from week long vacations with tape still on their noses.

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L.M.

answers from New York on

Unless there is a health issue there is absolutely no reason to have nose surgery. This child should wait until she is an adult, and then make the decission. I would never even consider paying for a nose job for a child. I wouldn't even give $10 towards it.

Does it matter how important it is to them? NO.

Here's the answer from my 15 yo daugher. What the H---? NO!!!!!!!!!! No kid that age should have that done.

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M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

I went to a rather "affluent" high school and the girls there, that had their noses done, received the nose job as a graduation gift, lol....Sweet sixteen was too early.

I don't know medically and specifically about the nose except that it is one of two things (the ears being the other) that continue to grow all your life.

Just my info :D

M.

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C.P.

answers from Provo on

I think a parent would probably just about do anything to help improve the self-esteem of a child. I would think that the doctors would know best about these concerns. I have known people that have gotten nose surgery for cosmetic reasons and then discovered that it made a world of difference in breathing and sleeping. Children have surgeries at all ages. The amount of anesthesia is determined by weight. I know that getting through the ruthlessness in high school is very hard and I would help my child any way I could.

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L.J.

answers from Chattanooga on

I'm a little confused...are you asking because YOUR 15 year old also wants hers done? If not, it's already done, so what do you hope to accomplish by getting opinions? If her doctor said it was okay, her brother who is a doctor thought it was okay & it was a family decision, then what is the problem? Not trying to be rude, but it seems like this really isn't any of your business. I apologize if I misunderstood the purpose of your question...

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R.S.

answers from San Antonio on

My husband and I discussed before we had kids how we would handle body issues with our kids if there was a "real" issues. My husband had huge ears that stuck straight out from his head...tons of teasing and flicking of his ears for years.

We decided that like we would pay to straighten teeth, correct knock knees (they run in my family), pin back huge ears...and I guess that would include allowing a child with a big, misshapen or really not so nice nose to have it surgically corrected. My daughter had a lazy eye and my husband was ready to jump on getting it fixed even before we realized we HAD to get it fixed or she would go blind in that eye.

I am not saying just give a kid surgery for any old thing...but if it is reducing their quality of life...then I see nothing wrong with "fixing" it.

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A.D.

answers from Norfolk on

I've learned that usually people who say "there's no reason unless its medically necessary" usually have really cute noses. Now, coming from someone who absolutely hates her nose--if I had the money, I would get a nose job in a heartbeat. If my daughter (who is due in 8 weeks) ends up having a nose just like mine, and she is as insecure about it as I have always been, AND we have the money for it--I will let her get one also when she is a teenager.

1 mom found this helpful
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S.S.

answers from Cincinnati on

Girls grow faster than boys, and most girls are done growing (height that is which equals bone length) by 16. also the nose is mostly cartilige and I believe only has three bones in it which wont be growing at this point anyway. I wouldn't do it for my teenage because I dont think girl that age can really know what she wants (most teens are unhappy with something about themselves) and its our differences that make us cute (example did you know that modeling staff wanted cindy crawford to remove her mole when she was starting out. but medically its safe

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J.L.

answers from Dallas on

Ummm.... I personally think she is way to young to have surgery of that sort... First off she has not finished developing yet so who know what the outcome will be as an adult... Me as a parent would never sign for anything like that for a 15 year old child. Maybe your daughter has a low self-esteem and need to talk to someone. She should also know that she is a very beautiful person on the inside and out... Your daughter may just wanna get the surgery to follow her friend.... You probably have done this already... I hope!!!!, but you should sit down and talk to your daughter about certain issues and risk, i mean their are alot of risks you and your child should know about.. The surgeon will tell you what you wanna hear... not whats most impotant!!!! Money talks, if you know what i mean!!!!! Bottom line is i honestly don't feel your 15 year old should have any say in this perticular issue, this is a situation where you call the shots and the line gets draws ASAP... You know whats best for your child better than she knows whats better for herself... GOOD LUCK!!!!!

1 mom found this helpful

L.A.

answers from Austin on

Back in the day.. Most of the girls that had their noses "done" did them the summer right after graduation..

The surgery has improved so much since there, I would just make an appt to speak with a really good surgeon.. It is worth the money.

1 mom found this helpful

B.C.

answers from Norfolk on

It depends. If anyone has a child who has what they (parents and child) feel is a disfigurement, then most would say it makes sense to try plastic surgery to correct the problem. The problem is defining the line between changing a look more for fashions sake rather than for a problem that the child (and/or parents) feel is something that is intolerable. It's different for everyone. Some people will spend lots of money on braces to straighten teeth. Kids are wearing contacts younger than ever to cut back on wearing glasses.. Lasik can not be done before the eyes mature (between 18 - 21 yrs old). Still other parents will pay for laser hair removal (for legs, under arms, bikini line, etc) as a graduation present (or wedding present) for a daughter. Others have their kids ears adjusted so they don't stick out so much. Some people seem to get addicted to plastic surgery, fixing and altering one thing after another. I'd have a hard time thinking a boob job for a teenager was something that is necessary.

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R.J.

answers from Seattle on

I know a lot of girls who had a choice between nose job or car at 16, and the other as a grad gift... but I worked with horses... the girls came from affluent families. ((lol... *actually* the girls who had to choose "which first" either came from quote unquote -as in bs- "poor" families (OMG you have to SHARE your jet??? Like, soooo uncool) OR from families that were trying to teach planning and moderation)).

The nose and chin continue to grow throughout your life... so there really IS no "okay, now that they've stopped growing" once you pass puberty. The don't grow a lot, but it's noticeable. Think of how old women are DRAWN. In part, that's because of the continued skeletal growth, and in part because the flacid muscles and skin pull down from those areas accentuating them.

Personally.... IF IF IF (If we had the $, and if it was important to her, & if the doctors okayed it) I'd be down as a parent to help facilitate it as long as I could set aside any of my own ego surrounding "my baby". Which would be hard. My son is simply the most gorgeous creature I've ever seen, and I know that is at least 1/2 bias.

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A.M.

answers from College Station on

Where I went to school at least once a year a girl came in with her nose done. They always said they had broke it or something, but if you saw their noses and heard how they complained you would think different. My mom was in school with a girl who had little boobs (mind you this was when she was 16 and I dont know much about it) but the next year she came back with fake ones. Her body grew and she ended up having to have surgery bc her boobs were way to big within a year or so. I know this doesnt seem to fit but my point is parents will do what it takes to make kids happy. One of my friends in HS admitted she hated her nose and for her 16 birthday daddy paid for it. She was so proud and when the thing was taken off her nose it really made a diffrence.

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