Bullying and Plastic Surgery

It’s that time of year again – back to school. What was once an exciting time for friends to reunite after summer vacation has become a time of dread. Why? Because of bullying. Unfortunately, in-school bullying and cyberbullying are on the rise. Children and young adults now have so many social outlets both offline and on the Internet to pick on others about physical appearance that bullying is becoming an epidemic.
The statistics for bullying in schools and online are staggering. According to a 2012 survey, 32% of teens say they have been the target of some range of online menacing, and 33% of younger teenage girls (ages 12-13) say that “people are mostly unkind” to one another on social media networks. [1]
Additionally, an astounding 41% of girls ages 15-17 report being bullied in some form, be it online or offline – that’s more than any other age or gender group. For girls this age, physical appearance is a very sensitive topic, and is most often the target of bullying.
Going through the physical changes associated with puberty is challenging, especially for young ladies. Girls are more likely than boys to be the victims of bullying; they are bullied for looking different, and it is happening at a fragile age.
Young girls now are turning to plastic surgery procedures to alter their looks and, hopefully, stave off the bullying. In 2007, 90,000 teens had cosmetic surgery, and the numbers are growing every year.[2] If you are considering plastic surgery as a solution to bullying, make sure that you consider it very carefully.
As a general rule, plastic surgeons will want young patients to work out internal issues with self esteem and self worth before having any work done. It is always recommended to get prior psychological counseling if you are hoping to end bullying by making permanent changes to your physical appearance. This way, your surgeon will know that you are mature enough to be making the right decisions for your future.
Currently the most popular cosmetic procedures for teenagers are rhinoplasty, breast reductions, breast augmentations, ear tucks, and Botox. For most procedures, surgeons will recommend waiting until you are 18 years old to properly assess your adult body when it’s finished growing. For breast enhancements or reductions, doctors will wait at least 2 years after the first menstrual cycle so the adult breasts have had a chance to grow and settle. Make sure that you check with your surgeon about any age restrictions or concerns before having a procedure at a young age.
Cost can be a huge deterrent for young people wanting cosmetic procedures. There are resources that can help. The “Little Baby Face Foundation” can help children and young adults with facial deformities to finance corrective surgeries. If think this is not something you would qualify for, a plastic surgery loan may be the best option for you. Our site offers detailed information on the cost of breast augmentation and reduction. Our partner sites offer the latest information on the cost of rhinoplasty, Botox, and liposuction.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of bullying offline or online, please contact one of these resources to get help:

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