Teenage Rhinoplasty

Conveniently located to serve the areas of New Jersey and New York

What Is A Nose Job?

Teenage Rhinoplasty Short Hills NJ

The nose job, or rhinoplasty, is the most common cosmetic surgery done in teens. As of 2012, the American Society of Plastic Surgery (ASPS) indicated that plastic surgery among the young is on the rise with the number of teenage patients receiving treatments today at more than five times the number it was fifteen years ago.

Teenage Rhinoplasty Explained

Along with the insecurities and fears that are so common in adolescence, having a “bad nose” can make some teens particularly self-conscious and unhappy about their appearance. More than almost any other age group, teenagers are subjected to the pressure of their peers. Physical appearance plays a key role in how confident teenagers may feel in the social world at large. For many teens, a nose that is too large or misshapen can be the source of teasing, embarrassment, and discomfort. Teenage rhinoplasty helps correct the appearance of the nose while maintaining the proportional balance of a younger face, providing emotional support to this extremely sensitive age group.

Reasons To Opt For Teenage Rhinoplasty?

Some parents may feel conflicted about allowing their child to undergo plastic surgery, wondering if it sends them the wrong message. Deciding to undergo rhinoplasty is an extremely personal decision that ultimately comes down to whether or not you will be saving your child more emotional scarring by allowing him or her undergo the procedure. Confidence during adolescence is essential for normal emotional and social development.

Procedure

  • Correction of a large nasal hump
  • Correction of nasal deviation
  • Narrowing of a wide nasal bridge
  • Correction of a droopy tip
  • Restoration of nasal symmetry
  • Boosting child’s confidence and self-esteem
  • Improvement in breathing at the same time

Timing

Teenage rhinoplasty should typically be performed on girls and boys 15 years or older. Waiting until this age ensures that their nose and other facial features have finished growing. What’s more important is that the teenager is making a mature decision to consider rhinoplasty and has thought carefully about the motivations and consequences.

Downtime

There is typically a 7-10 days healing period after rhinoplasty, which may require your child to miss time in school. Your teen will also have to avoid certain activities like contact sports and P.E. classes for two months. If this is a concern, you may wish to schedule your teen’s rhinoplasty during the summer to ensure she/he receives adequate healing time.

You can find most of the answers to your questions about rhinoplasty surgery on our website under “Rhinoplasty FAQ.

It has been our experience that, surprisingly, many friends or classmates of our teenage rhinoplasty patients do not realize that the patient had a nose job. Most may think he or she just “looks great”, had a haircut or a nice tan, and are not able to figure out what really is different. Some close friends, who may know about the surgery, do not usually make a big deal about it. And let’s face it- some of them probably wish they could have the surgery themselves too! In fact, some friends of our teen rhinoplasty patients come to our office after they see the results. More importantly, our teen patients are usually the ones who notice the difference in their appearance and feel a boost in self-confidence.

In Dr. Ovchinsky’s experience, teens like to take advantage of the summer and winter breaks to undergo surgery, so advance planning is important. We would be delighted to see you at a consultation in our office and to have an opportunity to create the nose you have always dreamed of!

Contact

Schedule your appointment with us today to learn more about the teenage rhinoplasty procedure.

FAQ

What do I need to avoid before surgery?

If you are on “blood thinners,” you will be asked to stop them approximately one week prior to surgery. We also ask that you avoid certain over-the-counter medications. If you are taking some herbal supplements, you should stop those as well as they may contain blood thinning substances. Also, you have to completely quit smoking at least two weeks before surgery.

What about my daily medications before surgery?

You will have a preoperative appointment well in advance of your surgery when we will review all mediations with you. If you are on “blood thinners,” you will be asked to stop them approximately one week prior to surgery. We also ask that you avoid certain over-the-counter medications. You may continue taking most routine medications up until the morning of surgery with a small sip of water.

What happens after surgery?

You will go to the recovery room for a few hours until you are fully recovered from anesthesia. Once you are stable you will be taken home (or to a hotel) by your family member or a friend. You will want to stay relaxed for the first few days. You will need to keep your head elevated when in bed to help with faster resolution of swelling. You should begin to start walking, eating, and using the restroom the day after surgery. Your activity can slowly increase each day but it will take up to 2 weeks before you start to feel like your old self again. You should avoid any strenuous activity for 4 weeks. You will need to take medication prescribed to you by Dr. Ovchinsky, which usually include antibiotics, pain medicine, antibiotic ointment for the incisions, and occasionally anti-nausea medications.

Are there any dietary restrictions following surgery?

No. Patients can eat whatever they want. Advance your diet from liquids (fruit juice, milk shake, etc.) to soft food (pudding, macaroni and cheese, mashed potatoes and gravy, oatmeal, pasta) to solids as tolerated. To prevent dehydration, please drink as much juices and nutritional fluid as possible.

When will my stitches be taken out?

Stitches are normally removed five to six days after your surgery.

How soon will I be able to exercise?

Dr. Ovchinsky recommends that patients do not return to exercise for three weeks after their procedure.

When will I be able to see the results?

You may see the difference right away, and more so once the swelling goes down within the first one to two weeks. As with any surgical procedure, it takes anywhere from 6 to 12 months for the results to become final.

What is special about the way Dr. Ovchinsky does the surgery?

Dr. Ovchinsky tailors his surgical technique to an individual patient rather than using the same “run of the mill” surgery on everybody. The technique he uses causes minimal pain, has natural results, and is long-lasting. The vast majority of patients are quite surprised afterward at how little discomfort they have and how quickly they return to normal activity. Most patients have minimal bruising. Finally, with Dr. Ovchinsky technique and attention to details during skin closure, scars are typically minimal and are often difficult to see once they have fully matured.