Liposuction for Teens: Our Opinion

 
A People Magazine article "Too Young for Lipo?" (November 15, 2006) featured the “success story” of liposuction in an obese teenager.

After 2 “brutal” surgeries which left her family with $25,000 debt, the teen is 60 pounds lighter and has now adopted healthier eating habits. Comments by Plastic Surgery leadership in the same article strongly condemn the practice of teenage liposuction!

From technical perspective any cosmetic procedure can be done on any aged individual and often with dramatic results. However, from a psychological, social, developmental and ethical perspective this type of surgery in a teenager is ill-advised.

Emotional maturity and stability as well as physical maturity are extremely important factors in the teenager who seeks surgery to improve self-esteem. Teens tend to be emotionally labile, and very sensitive to peer pressure making decisions regarding major elective surgery subject to moods, social situations, and peer remarks. The decision to undergo elective cosmetic surgery should be made by a mature, emotionally stable individual, who understands the ramifications of surgery.

There is no data on the physical or emotional effects of liposuction on the adolescent, who has a developing body, that is constantly changing under the influence of genetics, hormones and growth. This fact makes cases like this a risky experiment.

Liposuction is a body contouring operation, not weight reduction surgery. In treating obesity with liposuction, surgeons are treating the symptom not the disease. Childhood obesity is occurring in epidemic proportions in the U.S. To suggest liposuction in child as an alternative to lifestyle changes (diet and exercise) is a dangerous precedent.

Read our opinion about who is a good candidate and what is the best
procedure for liposuction in Dallas - "Promises and Pitfalls: Liposuction".

 
Back to top

Our Dallas Plastic Surgeons' Bios  +  About Us  +  Cosmetic Surgery Procedures
Promises & Pitfalls  +  Am I A Candidate?  +  Before & After Photos  +  Skin Care
Patient Forms  +  Contact Us  +  Office Locations  +  What's New  +  Home  +  Sitemap

© Copyright 1999-2009 North Dallas Plastic Surgery. All rights reserved.