Hot Topic (6/26): Cosmetic surgery for children?

[Cafe GroupAdmin]

 From USA TODAY:  (Click link for full story)

By Mary Brophy Marcus, USA TODAY

A decade or two ago, life was simpler for teens who didn't like their looks. Girls pushed socks under their sweaters, and awkward, acne-faced boys hid behind shaggy bangs. And for better or worse, kids grew out of or adapted to their bodies. These days, more youngsters are altering the body parts that give them angst by going under the knife or laser or lipo tube to get the look they want.

According to the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, 160,283 children 18 and under had cosmetic interventions in 2008. The figure was even higher in 2007, tallying 205,119, but industry experts say a slowing economy probably forced the numbers down in 2008. In 2000, the number was just 145,094.

 

Those under 18 who opt for such procedures are not only children with cleft palates or disfiguring birthmarks. Some children are having more controversial procedures, such as "Asian eye" surgery to widen the appearance of eyes in people of Asian descent. But for the most part, these are otherwise healthy kids looking to improve an awkward but functional feature, such as a large nose or small breasts, says Donn Chatham, a plastic surgeon in Louisville and president of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.

"The kids I see, their desire is almost uniformly to be normal, non-deviant. Kids don't want to stand out in a negative way," says Gerald Pitman, a plastic surgeon in New York City.

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Your reaction?

Under what circumstances, if any, would you consider getting cosmetic surgery for your child?

[tericared]

I would only do it for a medical emergency... 

[Saavebrit]

UNDER NO circumstances!

I'm quite one to talk with goofy lolly pop thumbs, overly grown lips at age 12, dark hairy arms and legs, and the list goes on as I am now a mother of two with stretch marks...

    Invest in your kids!!! highlight things other than looks or a pretty dress or braids.. I was sooooo insecure as a child because my mother would tell me, I was silly for being insecure and how beautiful I am, but she never told me I was smart or a wonderful artist, or great at soccer. I had to convince myself of those things all my life, and am still not content with my looks......but am still instilling the importance of my other talents! getting made fun of isn't horribly life altering, what is most important is that  you make sure its not family members doing most of the insult.......I was horribly teased by my brothers and sisters, free to do so w/ a single working mother. If your family is strong and supportive, theres nothing your child can't accomplish, or be proud or secure about, including themselves. An insult from a school friend won't scar them like that of a insecure sibling....

[EscVelocity]

Newborn boy's get cosmetic surgery everyday.

[MawagaMom]

I am already planning to have work done of my daughter.

She is 14 and has a DD chest and they are still growing.  She has no back problems right now but she hates the way she looks and has been sexually harassed for years now. 

Her birth mother is a EEE so we know where it all comes from.  And yes this is considered completely elective and we will do it when she is ready which won't be a few years at least.

[rocklovinggirl]

You are so right!

I only think it should be done for something that is out of the norm like cleft lip or a health issue but minor things like my nose is too big, deal with it!

Quoting EscVelocity:

Newborn boy's get cosmetic surgery everyday.

[PamR]

For some kind of disfigurement that made life difficult for the child, I might do it. Breast enhancement, etc. - no.

[Talee]

 Do braces count? I can't afford those anyway...

I wouldnt do anything cosmetic unless it was for something completely disfiguring...

[stormcris]

For anything that would actually improve my childs quality of life such as corrective cosmetic surgery. This would include breast reduction if needed, or any other surgery that would improve function or prevent future problem...a nose job or breast enhancement or anything that is just for looks would not be considered.

[eaglemama2]

Exactly!    I don't think girls should consider having breast enhancements until they are done having kids, or they are done gowing, lol.  They are still growing and to do just for the hell of it is completely uneccesary, IMO.

Quoting stormcris:

For anything that would actually improve my childs quality of life such as corrective cosmetic surgery. This would include breast reduction if needed, or any other surgery that would improve function or prevent future problem...a nose job or breast enhancement or anything that is just for looks would not be considered.

[christina0607]

The article is quite misleading isn't it? It doesn't say what these proceedures are, there are a million proceedures that would be considered plastic surgery.

My daughter will be one of those kids. She is 9 mo and with in the next 2 years she will have cosmetic surgery on her jaw. Her upper and lower jaws are crooked. Is this something that she could live with...certainly, but should she? As she gets older it will become worse...why would any mother put her child trough that?