Did you know that even children could be the recipients of plastic surgery? While there are a number of situations that send a child into the world of cosmetic surgery, the goal is always to adjust a child's appearance to more closely match up with his or her peers.
Different experts have differing opinions of the difference between elective and necessary procedures and it continues to be a debate in the world of aesthetics.
Birth Defect When a child is born with a physical defect, there are solutions available to help them regain function in these parts of the body.
In certain cases, it is necessary to undergo plastic surgery in order to fix the issue.
One of the most common examples of children needing a cosmetic adjustment is a cleft palate.
This procedure makes this area of the body more functional and adds to a person's appearance.
While not necessarily a birth defect, a birthmark can also be a source of problems for a child.
In this case a plastic surgeon can help to diminish the look of the mark or remove it completely.
Because a child is underage, the parents are required to sign paperwork authorizing these procedures.
It is easy to understand that children experiencing these issues want to be able to fit in with their peers and remove any type of negative attention they may receive.
Trauma When a young child suffers a trauma that affects his or her appearance, plastic surgery can offer solutions.
Much like a birth defect, parents are the key individuals with the power to make these decisions.
In younger children, it may not be possible to ask whether or not the child wants to make a change.
But after an accident, an older child may be able to communicate the type of changes he or she would like to see.
In these situations, there are often other surgeons involved in the process of plastic surgery to make sure things go smoothly in the traumatized area.
Bullying There are times when cosmetic changes are fueled by peer pressure or even bullying.
In these situations a child feels that he or she does not fit in socially and is ridiculed because of appearance.
For most doctors, there is no black and white answer to whether or not the procedure should be performed.
It is up to the child, the parents, and the surgeon to decide if this is the right course of action.
Many offices require different types of evaluations to ensure that this is a valid concern.
Other times procedures are postponed to give a child more opportunity to finish growing.
Then, the surgeon revisits the situation.