I'm 15 yrs old. How can I make my nose smaller? (photo)

Question

I'm 15. My nose is huge. I get bullied a lot, and I can't afford a nose job. Is there any other way I can make my nose smaller? I'm depressed.

John Michael Thomassen, MD · Answer

Unfortunately your best option is a rhinoplasty and it being a cosmetic procedure, insurance will not cover the cost.  Discuss this with our parents and maybe visit a local board certified plastic surgeon with your parents to see if there are any financing options.  Best wishes, and finally, do not let bullies get you down.  You are beautiful on the inside and that is all that matters.

Holger Gassner, MD, FACS · Answer

Rhinoplasty in young patinets is a very important and frequently debated issue. Most experts agree that one should wait before proceeding with rhinoplasty until 17 or 18 years of age. Otherwise the risk of growth disturbances outweigh the benefits of cosmetic improvement. Exceptions may include noses that cause important breathing problems when the surgical procedure does not interfere significantly with important growth centers. So the good news is that there is a procedure available to reduce the size of your nose and to improve its shape, but you should be patient and wait until at least your 17th birthday.

Garrett H. Bennett, MD · Answer

Girls should wait until at least 16 for nasal surgery if possible and boys to at least 18. Insurance will only help pay for breathing issues. Your parents will need to sign-off on any procedure until you are 18. The only way to make your nose smaller would be for you to grow more or to surgically reduce the size of the nose. Sometimes surgical training programs will perform rhinoplasty at a considerable discount. The residents or fellows are supervised by board certified attendings. For a purely cosmetic nose you could see a general plastic surgeon or a facial plastic surgeon. If you have breathing concerns you would want to see someone also board certified in otolaryngology. Be careful not to make your nose too small so it doesn't fit your face or breathe correctly.

Jeffrey Zwiren, MD · Answer

If asked, what feature would you most like to change the answer is overwhelmingly a rhinoplasty.  At 15 you may be a little young to consider surgery but if you have the backing of your parents it is not unreasonable.

I'm 15 yrs old. How can I make my nose smaller? (photo)

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