Plastic surgery and the adolescent breast: preliminary patient counseling.

摘要

Teenagers are now more frequently requesting plastic surgery on their breasts. The "perfect breast," depicted by the media and advertisers, affects a teenager's perception of her own breasts at a time of heightened vulnerability. During puberty, a teenager experiences rapid and major changes in her appearance and may be displeased with some elements of her new body. Fifty-four percent of American females ages 12-23 years report being unhappy with their bodies. The combination of poor self image, low self esteem, and rapid physical change can cause teens to explore surgical intervention. Four percent of cosmetic plastic surgery is performed on patients 18 years and younger; a significant portion of these surgeries are performed on the breast.