In recent months, a few news stories have prompted patients interested in liposuction in Sacramento, CA to ask me about the safety of performing liposuction for young women and men under the age of 18. Generally I discourage liposuction for patients under 18, but in some cases it can be a valid option for a teen to regain a slimmer body and maintain a more positive self-image.
When a young adult comes to my office to explore options for liposuction, I am more likely to support their desire and continue with the consultation process if they present with an abnormality, such as larger fatty deposits brought on by hormone level changes, or another factor that makes plastic surgery more of a reconstructive than a cosmetic procedure.
Teen Cosmetic Surgery Motivations
Sometimes parents and teens in Sacramento who believe liposuction is right for them will not explore their options simply because they think patients must be over 18 years old. While I do not perform many liposuction procedures for younger patients, if a teen does come to my office interested in the procedure, my focus is more on the maturity and motivations of that individual. A patient needs to understand the procedure and the risks involved to make an educated decision. Motivation inspired by fashion, friends, boyfriends, or parents would discourage me from performing surgery. During the consultation, I take the time to make sure my patients make choices that in the end will contribute to their general wellbeing.
Procedures such as liposuction can help adults maintain a positive outlook and enhance self-esteem, and some teens can also benefit from the procedure. However, if I can see that a teen is considering liposuction to resolve deeper psychological and emotional insecurities, or to cope with peer pressure, I encourage them to find a way to address these emotions first. If they return to my office and I feel confident that they are considering a procedure for the right reasons, then I am much more likely to schedule them for surgery.
Other Limitations of Liposuction in Sacramento, CA
Liposuction, especially for teens, is not a method for weight loss, although it can be a good choice for adults and for some teens who are already working to maintain their weight through diet and exercise. I educate my patents to make sure that any teen who receives this type of surgery is not just looking to drop a few pounds. Liposuction is about enhancing the body contour, not seeing a smaller number on the bathroom scale.
At my Sacramento liposuction practice, I also work with my patients to make sure that anyone considering liposuction holds realistic expectations about the surgery and its results. Because teens are still in the process of developing their bodies and lives, these factors are particularly important for them to consider. For teens to be good candidates for this type of plastic surgery, they need to be able to weigh these factors in a mature manner.
The Role of Parents
Particularly for minors, parental involvement in medical decisions is extremely important, and all surgeries performed for individuals under the age of 18 require parental consent. Beyond signing off on their consent, parents need to be involved in the decision-making process to help their young adult understand their options and take responsibility for making smart choices. Also, parents often provide a critical care-giving role during the recovery period. An actively-engaged parent is important to overall surgical success.
At the same time, it’s important for parents not to pressure their teen either for or against cosmetic surgery. From what I’ve seen, the experience is more satisfying when a family works together and discusses their reservations openly. When a teen considering liposuction in Sacramento, CA appears to be pressured by his or her parents to achieve a certain look for whatever reason, that sends up a red flag to me that this patient is not going to be able to make a decision about plastic surgery that they will be happy with for years to come.
Ultimately, liposuction can be a good choice for some patients under the age of 18 only when they meet particular criteria. Careful screening by the surgeon is needed to ensure that each patient considering this kind of procedure has the proper level of maturity and the right motivations.
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