Plastic Surgery Procedures for Teenagers and Young Adults: A Report Card

School is back in session in Mississauga, Oakville & Brampton and a new trend has some students showing off their recent plastic surgery results rather than a new pair of shoes. With a growing number of teens and young adults seeking procedures from plastic surgeons, the question arises, “Are cosmetic procedures suitable for young patients?”

At my practice, I’ve found that there are procedures that do, in fact, benefit teens and young adults, while others are better suited for an older, post-grad patient. With a red pen in hand, I’ve graded 3 of the most popular procedures offered at my practice on how appropriate they are for teenagers and young adults.

Breast Reduction: A

Breast reduction boasts high satisfaction with young people and has seen a recent surge in popularity. Those burdened with large breasts at a young age commonly suffer from neck and shoulder pain, difficulty in finding clothes that fit, and low self-esteem. While it is possible that breasts may continue to grow in the coming years, this procedure can be performed on patients as young as 16. Breast reduction can lead to an improvement in self-esteem and overall quality of life, especially for young, active individuals.

Breast Augmentation: C

Breast Augmentation, while not frequently recommended for this age group, can be performed on older teenagers in rare cases. For those with undeveloped breasts, the procedure has a very high satisfaction rate, but once again, both psychological and physical maturity are factors to consider. A young woman should be finished growing before undergoing the procedure, at least 2 years after the onset of her menstrual cycle. The results of the procedure are often linked to higher self-esteem for women who are unlikely to achieve further breast growth.

Liposuction (and other body contouring procedures): D-

Liposuction is a procedure that targets stubborn pockets of fat. It is not a weight loss procedure. For overweight individuals seeking to lose weight or “tone up”, body contouring procedures are not the answer. Considering the fluctuations in height and weight that occur during adolescence and continue into young adulthood, in most cases, procedures like liposuction, tummy tuck, and non-surgical body contouring are typically more appropriate for an older, more physically mature patient.

Regardless of the procedure, the decision to undergo plastic surgery should always be made collectively by the patient, his or her parents, and the plastic surgeon. It is important that the individual seeking a procedure is mature enough both physically and emotionally to commit to surgery and the lasting effect it will have. In the end, I give being able to offer life-enhancing procedures to the committed young people and supportive families that enter my practice an A+.