If you are paying any attention to the national media, you know that bullying has become a very common part of growing up.  We are hearing tragic stories of children and teens all over the country taking their lives because they can not live in the shadows of their shame any longer.  We all know that kids can be cruel, but it seems that this has reached epidemic proportions.

In Denver, Colorado, at my plastic and reconstructive surgery practice, I have seen many children and adolescents who complain about being teased and bullied because of the way they look.  Some of the most common complaints are: ears that stick out, a nose that is too big, and bad facial acne.  Other problems have included early development of extremely large breasts, obvious asymmetry of the breasts of girls/teens, and enlargement of breasts (gynecomastia) in boys/teens.

Before one thinks about getting plastic surgery to correct these problems, it is important to make sure that the child and his/her parents are well-educated about the pros and cons of surgery.  If there is any sense that the child might have a psychological issue, then I refer them for psychological evaluation before proceeding forth with surgery.  Fixing a perceived external defect without treating any internal strife is a recipe for disaster.

If, however, the child and parents have healthy motivations, what can be done about these various conditions?

In Denver, Colorado, at Shah Aesthetic Surgery, there are multiple options to handle each concern:

EARS THAT STICK OUT:

The most effective procedure for ears that stick out too much is called an otoplasty or ear pinning operation.  This is a very successful operation in my hands.  Patients seek out our Denver-based clinic for ear improvement.  Children really notice the differences in those around them after about the age of 6 years old.  This is a common time to fix the ears.  If you want more information on otoplasty in Denver, Colorado, I suggest you contact us at drshah@drmanishshah.com.

A NOSE THAT’S TOO BIG:

When a nose appears too big for the face, it can be a target for taunting and bullying.  The most effective procedure for reducing or shaping a nose that doesn’t harmonize with the face is a rhinoplasty or nose reshaping surgery.  As the only Denver, Colorado based member of The Rhinoplasty Society, rhinoplasty or nose reshaping surgery is a common and successful procedure in my hands.  I have seen life changing results and significant improvements in self-esteem after this procedure.  Using very specialized approaches, I am able to reduce and re-apportion the size of the nose to better fit the surrounding facial features.  It can take more than a year to realize the final results, but the wait is usually worth it.  If you would like more information on rhinoplasty or nose reshaping in Denver, Colorado please contact us at drshah@drmanishshah.com.

BAD ACNE

There are a lot of causes for acne.  When we treat acne at our Denver, Colorado plastic surgery practice, we take a multi-faceted approach to the problem.  We work on acne suppression with topical and oral medication along with good skin care and use of chemical peels.  If there are any scars that need to be improved, we used laser, chemical peels and good skin care from companies like SkinMedica to help reduce the visibility of the old scars.  For more information about the care of acne in Denver, Colorado, I would suggest you contact us at drshah@drmanishshah.com.  No one likes to be called “Pizza Face!!”

BEING YOUNG WITH LARGE BREASTS

Being young with large breasts can be a curse.  Not only can it affect athletic activities, it can bring unwanted and salacious attention.  In my Denver, Colorado plastic surgery practice, breast reduction surgery is very helpful in managing this problem.  It is important to note that these patients may need a second breast reduction later in life after breast feeding a baby.  That being said, making breasts smaller so they weigh less and fit better into today’s clothes, is a win-win situation.  If you would like more information on breast reduction surgery in Denver, Colorado, please contact us at drshah@drmanishshah.com.

HAVING BREASTS THAT ARE VERY DIFFERENT IN APPEARANCE

Another problem that children and teens can face is congenital asymmetry of the breasts in girls/teens or gynecomastia in boys/teens.  These kids have a hard time either finding bras, bathing suit tops that fit and look normal to their peers, or they have a hard time taking their shirts off in the locker room and pool areas. For girls/teens, breast enlargement or augmentation surgeries can be performed with or without breast reduction surgeries to even out the breasts in clothes.  For boys, liposuction and/or resection of glandular breast tissue is used to reduce the chest size and create a more masculine looking chest.  For more information about breast reduction or gynecomastia procedures in Denver, Colorado please contact us at drshah@drmanishshah.com.

I hope that this information can help you and your child find some sense of peace in this ever more critical world.

If you would like, please visit us at www.drmanishshah.com to see all that we provide to the Greater Denver area, and beyond.

Warmest regards,

Manish H. Shah, MD, FACS

For patients in Denver, Colorado breast augmentation or enlargement is a very personal decision.  With our athletic population making the decision on the type of breast implant to choose can be difficult.  Here are some thoughts about the two available implant types and their pros and cons so that you can make an intelligent choice.

Saline breast implants have a silicone rubber shell that is quite sturdy.  Most patients can expect between ten and fifteen years of duration before implant rupture or breakage becomes more likely.  Saline implants are filled with salt water that has the same makeup as the salt water in our bodies.  Saline implants are adjustable and can be used in situations where a woman’s breasts are slightly different sizes. Because of the implant shell design rippling at the edge of the implant is possible.  It can sometimes be felt and even seen. Saline implants have to be overfilled by 10-20% to decrease this rippling and decrease the risk of capsular contracture (scar formation around the implant.)  These implants are great in women who already have thicker breast tissue or are afraid of silicone implants.  I recommend placement under the muscle for these implants.  When a saline implant ruptures it looks like a deflated ball on your chest.

Silicone breast implants tend to look and feel more realistic.  They have the same durable silicone rubber shell. Duration is similar to saline implants.  They come in set sizes so it is harder to compensate for slight differences in breast size.  The inside of the implant is filled with a gel material that is thick and more cohesive like a gummy bear or gel toothpaste.  Rippling is not a common problem with silicone implants because of the way they are manufactured.  The FDA is requiring that all women who have silicone gel implants placed after December 2006 have an MRI of the breast at 3,5,7, and 9 years after implantation to check for leaks.  When a silicone implant leaks it is frankly more difficult to tell.  I typically recommend that silicone gel implants be placed under the pectoralis muscle.  This implant however is my implant of choice in women who need the implant placed above the muscle (eg. body builders, fitness competitors, martial artists, gym rats, etc.)

I hope this helps those seeking answers to the question “saline vs. silicone?”

If you have any questions or would like to obtain a free consultation for breast enlargement in Denver, Colorado give us a call at (303) 708-8234.  Or, visit us on the web at www.drmanishshah.com.