Can you have rhinoplasty if you are 15?

Rhinoplasty Choices: If you're young enough that you're still growing significantly, it probably isn't the best idea. I generally ask my patients if their shoe size has been stable for at least a year. If you have a significant deformity and are ok with the idea that the nose may grow and change after you recover from surgery it may be reasonable to proceed. The decision should be made between you and your surgeon.

Not advised: 15 is still too young for boys and girls to have a rhinopasty. The face is still growing and changing and will do so for a few years. It is uncommon to perform rhinoplasty in girls before age 17 and boys before 18. Sometimes limited internal nose surgery will be done to open blocked nasal passages at that age but any cosmetic nose surgery should be delayed until you are older.

Delay if possible: Best to wait a few years if it is possible. Boys stop growing around age 17 and girls around 16. It is best to avoid surgery until that time to prevent future growth of the nose from distorting the surgery results. If there are severe functional problems, i sometimes make exceptions, but for a cosmetic change, i will always have my patients wait.

Age for Rhinoplasty: There are certain standards that are used to determine age appropriateness for rhinoplasty. For women typically we wait until age 16. For men 17 is preferred. Since the concerns relate mostly to damaging growth centers, it is less of an issue when a patient has a larger nose. If you are very developed for 15 then it may be possible. Each case is unique.

Depends on maturity: Rhinoplasty can be done in a 15 year old if they are both physically and emotionally mature enough. An experienced surgeon can give you advice in a consultation.

16 yr average age: The age at which rhinoplasty can be performed has to do with the time at which nasal growth is complete. If surgery is performed too early, the growth centers of the nose can be disturbed and the nose might not develop fully. Nasal growth is usually complete around 16 years old, on average. Another necessity is that, until you are 18 years old, your parents should be involved in the consultation.

Age for rhinoplasty: Generally, you want to wait until the growth/height has slowed to less than 1" prior year. Usually, 15-16 girls, 17-18 boys.

Better to wait: It is generally recommended that girls be at least 16 and boys at least 17 before a rhinoplasty. This depends on both physical and emotional maturity.

A little too early: The safe answer for rhinoplasty is always 18 years old. This assures that your development is complete and you wont have any growth problems or subsequent deformities.

Rhinoplasty @15: 15 is right at borderline. The rule of thumb is to do it once puberty growth is done.