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Can a 17-year-old Have Rhinoplasty?

asked 2 years ago by paul488 in New York City
Latest answer by Richard W. Fleming, MD
Question viewed 1,534 times
Tags: age 17 or under, nose, deviated septum, fracture, self-esteem, teenager

I want to have rhinoplasty done to make my nose smaller and fix it up. When I was little, I had a severe accident on my dorsum. It altered the way my nose looks. Then at the age of 16, my nose was fractured while in boxing so now the left side is deviated internally and Ihave some breathing problems as a result. Also I simply hate the way my nose looks. It is causing me so much depression that I avoid going out at all costs and in school, I have severe limitations of interaction as a result.

14 answers to Can a 17-year-old Have Rhinoplasty?

Rhinoplasty can be done to help your breathing and fracture.

It should be an improvement functionally and cosmetically. But I agree with Dr. Beraka that it would be helpful for you to get psychologic help before.

Toby Mayer, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bevhills.com

17-year-olds can have Rhinoplasty

It is perefectly reasonable for a 17 yo male to proceed w/ cosmetic Rhinoplasty. Facial growth is complete by this time. Consult with a specilaist in Rhinoplasty for best outcomes. Dr. G.

Edward J. Gross, MD
Orlando Facial Plastic Surgeon

Psychology and rhinoplasty

First, you need to be done with contact sports like boxing before having a rhinoplasty. There's no point in fixing it if you are going to expose it to the risk of further injury. Secondly, rhinoplasty is a very delicate procedure and the results will most likely not change your life as you would imagine. It would be very wise to seek some professional counseling before considering surgery.

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty for 17-year-old male

It is appropriate and reasonable for a 17 y.o. male to have rhinoplasty surgery, especially when trauma has caused functional and psychological problems. Remember, surgery will only repair your nose, not cure your depression or improve your relationships.

Richard W. Fleming, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

17 year old can have rhinoplasty

Yes, it is possible for a 17-year-old young woman or man to have a rhinoplasty surgery and realign the nasal bones from a fracture. Septoplasty would most likely have to be performed at the same time since it has been fractured as well. Cosmetic rhinoplasty can be performed at the same time of correcting internal breathing and straightening of the nasal pyramid. Insurance will only pay for realignment of the nose and breathing problems and will not pay for any elective cosmetic surgery.... more

William Portuese, MD
Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.seattlefacial.com

Nasal surgery at 17 is reasonable

It’s not the physiological age, but rather the psychological maturity. Surgeons become increasingly concerned and uneasy the younger the patient. Originally this was due to a belief that surgery at a young age would somehow interfere with the future development and growth of the cartilage and hence the nose. Although many surgeons still believe this, studies have now shown this concern isn’t justified. So it’s back to the maturity of the patient as the deciding factor.... more

Oakley Smith, MD
Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.droakleysmithrhinoplasty.com

Rhinoplasty

Hello, 17 is the minimum recommended age for a male to undergo rhinoplasty. However, circumstances are unique in every situation, and I would really need to see photos and/or perform an examination to give you the best advice. If you wish, you may send any photos to Lisa, my patient care coordinator and I would be happy to give you my opinion. My contact info is listed in my profile. Thank you and best of luck. Dr. Nassif

Paul S. Nassif, MD
Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty Surgery may be performed in 17 year old patients without a depressed mood.

You should consult a board-certified, experienced Rhinoplasty Surgeon, with your parents, to get an idea of what to expect after surgery. Computer imaging is helpful in showing you what to expect, and to make sure you have realistic expectations. It's normal to want to repair your broken nose. It's not typical to be so depressed by the appearance of your nose that you avoid going to school. Please discuss your depressed feelings with your parents and pediatrician as soon as possible: i.e.... more

Eric M. Joseph, MD
West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.ericmjoseph.com

Rhinoplasty OK at age 17.

Hi. The face is fully grown at this age and it is fine to have a rhinoplasty. But you describe fairly serious psychological symptoms that need to be evaluated and treated before you have surgery.

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Most 17 year olds can get a rhinoplasty if they need one

By 17 most people are finished with their growth spurt, therefore, physically you are ready to have a nosejob. The main consideration in teens is when they are emotionally and psychologically ready to have this change. For teens who have thought out the process, extraordinary changes can take place in self esteem that often outweigh the physical changes, plus the improvement in breathing as well. I suggest you seek a rhinoplasty specialist to discuss your options for looking and breathing... more

Steven J. Pearlman, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty in a 17 year old

It sounds as if your nose may be crooked from trauma as well as perhaps other sports related injuries. I would recommend seeing a facial plastic surgeon who has experience in both the inside and outside of the nose to deal with the breathing issues that you may have as well. As far as age is concerned, typically we recommend that males wait until the age of 16 and females until the age of 15. However, I would recommend you wait to have definitive repair when you are done boxing. It would be... more

Scott Trimas, MD
Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

Rhinoplasty

Hi Paul, Yes you can have a rhinoplasty at this age. It sounds like you will need some internal work to fix your deviated septum and possibly other medical problems. Also you need to understand, that a rhinoplasty may correct the cosmetic deformity and improve your breathing which will help your self esteem but you may need to address your depression with a mental health professional. Best, Dr. S.

Oleh Slupchynskyj, MD
New York Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.facechange.org

You pose a number of questions

The age of 17 is usually fine for a rhinoplasty, but you need to have some emotional maturity. Do not expect a rhinoplasty, no matter how well performed to solve all of your emotional issues. I can usually fix the breathing and cosmetic problems, you need to deal with the emotional overlay. Also, at your age, you will need to have your parents involved as you need to be 18 to provide consent and you need financial support. A well trained plastic surgeon or ent can usually fix both the... more

William B. Rosenblatt, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

Nose job (rhinoplasty) for post traumatic deformity, breathing problems, and cosmesis.

Your nose presents some challenges over the traditional condition of a prominent hump and full tip. Your first step is to consult with a plastic surgeon to review the internal as well as the external anatomy. Steps for correcting your breathing must take into account your cosmetic goals. Sometimes these conflict.