08.11.08
Nose Jobs - Five Things to Consider Before Your Teen Has One
My son is not getting a nose job any time soon. Sure, he does want rhinoplasty to fix his nose, which I think looks just fine but NO, it’s not happening. Why? Well besides the fact that he’s only 14, has broken it twice (once traveling head first down a water slide and the other time colliding with his brother’s head as they were boxing) and is still immature in physical and mental growth, it’s incredibly expensive.
The cost of medical and dental insurance for our family of 5 per year is $4000. That does not include out of pocket co pays, prescription and over the counter drugs, gas, tolls, parking, medical supplies and emergency room fees (which are pretty high when you have 3 boys).
Just for kicks, I asked a friend of mine at NewImage.com for the average cost of rhinoplasty. The rhionplasty surgery itself is roughly $4500 plus operating room fees and anesthesia. Since my son recently broke his nose we know that anesthesia for 80 minutes was $1800. So, I’m thinking a round about figure is roughly between $8000 - $10,000 when you factor in all of the above, plus follow up doctor visits and other miscellaneous costs that we never think of when we’re planning. Let’s not even get into the down time and recovery period.
So what’s a boy to do when he isn’t happy with his nose?
- Stop acting reckless - continuing to break your nose is not going to get you a free nose job by insurance standards. It’s just going to get you one messed up nose leaving you longing for your original less crooked one.
- Mature - This is perhaps the toughest one. Start taking responsibility for your body and actions. Think about the consequences before you enter into a situation. Boxing your brother? Did you ever see what a boxer’s nose looks like???? With 3 boys I sometimes think this is an impossibility.
- Grow Up - Our plastic surgeon told us that boys need to be at least 16 before he will even consider plastic surgery. Besides taking into account points 1 and 2 above, their noses are still growing (my son just loved to hear this) and having plastic surgery too early could really harm a child’s nose in the long run.
- Self Confidence - Ok, I know I’m his mom but I feel my son is a pretty good looking kid and doesn’t need any work done to his face at all. He needs to stop focusing on his weaknesses and work on his strengths. I keep telling him when you are self confident you are beautiful but he’s a teen and it’s going to take a while for this to sink in (again see points 1 and 2 above).
- Get a Job!- If you really feel after all of these steps that you cannot live another minute with your nose, then sorry kid but you’re going to have to cough up some money for it. Your twin brothers are doing a countdown to their new RockBand drums. Well, start a countdown to your nose job. We’re willing to pay for some of it as a combined birthday/holiday gift but we’re not footing the whole thing.
Any one else have a young teen in the same situation? What do you advise?
Stumble it!
Valerie said,
August 11, 2008 at 11:43 am
You can always tell him that a broken nose gives his face character. Hey, it could work!
beth said,
August 11, 2008 at 12:00 pm
Why don’t you tell him that some girls think that guys shouldn’t get nose jobs. So he may miss out on that perfect girl!
CreditMom said,
August 11, 2008 at 12:02 pm
Tried that one…he’s not buying….but he’s still pretty immature….another reason to wait!
CreditMom said,
August 11, 2008 at 12:02 pm
I think if he hears it from the girls themselves he might get it. But when he hears it from me, he says you have to say that because you’re my mom.
Rosie : ) said,
August 12, 2008 at 1:13 pm
If his problem is a body issue more than anything, a nose job won’t help him.
I have no teen in that area, but in general terms, and thinking back to when I was a teen, your body is your body, and body image is a tricky thing. I never liked my round butt. Back in my day…er a few years ago, it wasn’t very popular to have round butts. Every model had flat butt cheeks. When JLo came out with her round butt, as well as Beyonce, suddenly every teenage boy wanted a girl “with junk in her trunk”.
Wow, I soo wish I could have been in that generation. {lol}
My hubby loves me the way I am, and thinks I am beatuiful, but I still don’t believe it. I still hate the belly flab (having seven kids can do that, I know!) and the round (and a bit bigger) butt. Although, I have to admit that my previously flat-chested appearance has altered after having all those kids, and nursing them. I now am curvaceous and better proportioned. Doesn’t mean I like it, though. And I know that personally, if I got surgery, I would still be unhappy. It’s a criticism thing, and it won’t go away with the scalpel of a surgeon.
It’s a tough world, because even boys are bombarded with body images that are so called “perfect” (air-brush anyone?). Boys that age go through much of the same similar body-image issues (I’m thinking of my 14 y.o. brother here) and they are not satisfied with much of it. My brother is very cute.. yes I know, I’m biased.
But he does have alot of girls calling to talk to him, inviting him to the movies (too young!, eek!) and going on mountain bike trips in groups. He is well-liked and I think some girls think he’s cute. But, he doesn’t like himself, thinks his nose is too big, his lips are too small… whatever…It doesn’t matter. It’s a body image thing again.
I am struggling with this myself. My oldest is a girl, on the edge of teenagehood (OMGOSH!) and I want her to have a healthy body-image. I just hope I have your strength to know what’s right and what’s wrong. These are the moments that are not all-roses as parents, and I hope you can tell us more about it, to help us out.
CreditMom said,
August 14, 2008 at 11:51 pm
Hi Rosie:)
Thanks for your comments. I agree….if a child has body image issues, nose surgery isn’t going to work. Yesterday we told him exactly what is involved (graphically) in nose job surgery. Then we discussed recovery. AND, then we discussed how lucky he is to have what he has…let’s see what happens….he still has a few years!
Emily said,
November 23, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I need a nose job badly! And Im 14 :(:( It ruins my life! Its horrible!
I hate the way I look, I need to change everything..But my nose the most!!!