Age Considerations and Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty, otherwise known as simply a "nose job," is one of the most popular types of plastic surgery performed in the United States every year. In 2007 over 151,000 were performed.

Understanding Rhinoplasty

Rhinoplasty is a type of surgery that can reshape the nose and can give it a more appealing appearance. The procedure can also be a way to improve breathing problems. Having a nose surgery can reduce the size of a large nose, straighten a crooked nose, eliminate ridges on the nose, and alter the look of an enlarged or hanging tip.

Some people decide to have nasal surgery in order to make their nose look more symmetrical, while others look to it as a means of correcting a birth defect or the result of a traumatic event (such as a fire or car accident). Still others who suffer breathing problems due to a deviated septum look to a nose job to bring relief.

The majority of rhinoplasties (approximately 92%) are performed on individuals who range in age from 19 to 64. This leads us to a very important question when considering this type of plastic surgery: can you be too young or too old to have rhinoplasty?

Too Young for Rhinoplasty

Having a rhinoplasty for teenagers should not be undertaken on a young patient until the individual has reached physical maturity, which occurs when they have stopped growing completely. Physical maturity is not the same for both sexes. On average, a girl reaches physical maturity by age 15 and a boy by age 18, but this can vary slightly from person to person.

If rhinoplasty is performed on a nose that has not stopped growing, then the shape could change significantly following the surgery - creating a result that is not what the patient desires. It is better to finish growing and then make a decision about whether your nose appeals to you and is proportional with the rest of your face or not. Each patient must be evaluated on an individual basis to determine if their growth and development is sufficient to undergo a teenage rhinoplasty.

The only exception to this rule for young people is if the rhinoplasty needs to be done for corrective purposes, as opposed to for cosmetic reasons. If a young person has a structural defect and requires a rhinoplasty to breathe better, then the surgery can be performed, even though the nose may not have finished growing. The same can be said if a child or youth has suffered a traumatic injury to the nose. In these instances the surgeon will discuss the situation thoroughly with the patient and the patient's parents, making them aware that the continued growth of the nose following the surgery might require a second surgery in the future.

Too Old for Rhinoplasty

There is no such thing as "too old" to have a Los Angeles nose job, as long as the patient is in good health, both in terms of their physical health as well as their mental state. Those who suffer from active diseases or chronic conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma or diabetes do not make good candidates for rhinoplasty.

It is also important that the surgeon feels comfortable that the patient is realistic about what having the surgery will do for his or her life (and also what it will not do). If the surgeon feels that the person is realistic and will have little if any problems coping with the postsurgical healing and recovery period, then he will agree to perform the surgery.

Older individuals do tend to take longer to heal than younger people, and their skin tends to be less elastic. On the other hand, they have the life experience and maturity to weather the recovery period and follow all of the doctor's instructions.

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Beverly Hills, CA 90210
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Rodeo Drive Rhinoplasty provides expert male rhinoplasty. Our Beverly Hills cosmetic surgeon specializes in all nose surgery including ethnic rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty. Please contact us for more information about septoplasty, breathing surgery, and snoring surgery. We also provide expert care for other plastic surgery procedures such as Mommy Makeover and Beverly Hills liposuction. Photos show an actual patient who underwent nose surgery, results may vary.