Voluntary cosmetic reconstructive surgery in teens

The Need to Consider the Potential Risks and Benefits of Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery in Teenagers

Cosmetic surgery or `aesthetic surgery ' is a procedure that is generally performed to improve the individual 's appearance , looks esthetics , and to gain an attractive image in school . Usually teenagers do not seem to be satisfied with their appearance and would further like to improve . It involves remodeling of the normal structures of the body . The procedure is performed electively and is generally not reimbursed by insurance (ASAPS , 2007 . They utilize several surgical techniques such

as cutting (incising ) and stitching (suturing ) tissues . Besides , several chemical substances , laser beans and specialized machines are also required during the surgery Reconstructive surgery is a procedure performed to repair tissues affected by disease , trauma , infection , birth defects , cancers , etc , so as to improve functioning appearance . Unlike , cosmetic surgery , the tissues operated upon in reconstructive surgery is abnormal . The procedures are usually covered by insurance . Reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery are types of plastic surgery procedures . The distinction between cosmetic surgery and reconstructive surgery is not clear cut and depends on the individual 's age , purpose of the surgery and the degree of the defect . For example , a facelift surgery can be performed to remove a cancerous tumor in a teenager (considered as a reconstructive surgery ) or to remove wrinkles in elders (considered as a cosmetic procedure . In the US , there has been a sudden increase in the demand for cosmetic surgery in teens . In the year 2003 , about 223 , 000 cosmetic operations were conducted on individuals below the age of 18 out of which one-fourth involved procedures to enable weight loss or to reshape the breasts (Zuckermann , D , 2005 . In this regard a very interesting thesis question would be Is it justified to perform cosmetic surgery in each and every case the teenage patient requests , or it necessary to evaluate the potential risks and benefits before the surgery

In every clinical situation , the physician should explain the benefits of the procedure and the risks involved . The individual should carefully weight the risks and the benefits , and only if the benefits outweigh the risks , the procedure should be performed . However teenagers are immature in understanding the risks involved with the surgery . They also have u expectations and feel that at any cost they should undergo surgery . They are often persuaded by television shows which demonstrate the benefits of being thin or having appealing breasts . The teenage may require informing the parents before undergoing plastic surgery . However , long-term studies are currently not available to demonstrate the ill-effects of such procedures Besides , parents may feel that no significant risk is involved and hence permit the procedure for the welfare of their offspring (Zuckermann , D 2005

Some individuals may be susceptible to bleed extensively during and even after the surgery . This may be due to several factors including deficiency of clotting factors , history of medical conditions , etc . In such circumstances , the individual may be advised to draw out blood and use it...