Although rhinoplasty is fairly safe, the procedure isn't for everyone. There are certain things that can disqualify you from being a good candidate for this cosmetic surgery. Here are two things that may stand in your way of getting a nose job and what you can possibly do to overcome them.
You Are Too Young or Too Old
The first thing the cosmetic surgeon will look at is your age, and he or she will likely reject your case if you fall outside of the acceptable age range. Unless there is a compelling medical reason, a cosmetic surgeon will not perform rhinoplasty on anyone younger than 14 (for girls) or 15 (for boys), though this will vary depending on the patient. That's because the nose is still continuing to grow, and doctors want to wait until the face settles before making any changes; otherwise, the results may be marred by the continued maturation process.
On the other end of the age spectrum, doctors may refuse to work on patients who are over 60. The concern here is that many people in this age group have medical conditions or take medications that negatively impact the healing process, which increases the risk of complications. Additionally, it may be more difficult to achieve the aesthetic the patient wants due to the aging process.
However, if you're fairly healthy with no issues that may slow down healing times or cause other problems, the doctor may go ahead with the surgery as long as you have realistic expectations about the outcome.
It Appears You Have Body Dysmorphic Disorder
Body dysmorphic disorder (BDD) is a mental health condition where a person has persistent and intrusive thoughts about perceived imperfections in their appearance. Everyone has negative thoughts about how they look every once in a while. The difference is that in someone with BDD, the flaws are magnified to an extreme degree, which causes the person severe emotional distress and leads to an inability to function in daily life.
A person with BDD may pursue unnecessary cosmetic surgery to correct perceived flaws. In fact, it's not unusual for people with this condition to undergo multiple surgeries in pursuit of their idea of perfection. Thus, if your medical history suggests you may be suffering from this condition, the cosmetic surgeon may decline to do the surgery to avoid aggravating your existing mental health issues.
If the doctor voices this concern, you may have to prove you're mentally healthy to convince him or her to proceed, which may involve undergoing a psychiatric evaluation.
To learn about other things that may make you unfit for rhinoplasty or to schedule a consultation, contact a doctor like William M. Parell, MD, PSC.
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