Tag Archives: too old

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How young is too young to get eye surgery?

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Eye surgery with NYC plastic surgeonASK DOCTOR YAGODA

Question: How young is too young to get eye surgery? I’m only 28 but I’ve always had these dark circles under my eyes and my top eyelid is invisible with my eyes open. I live in the city so I’m very close to your New York office.

Answer: Unlike surgery to pin the ears back or to change the shape of the nose, there is no minimum age for eyelid surgery.  (Ear and nose surgery can be safely considered only after each has respectively reached its full adult size–for the ear it is after age six, and for the nose it is after puberty). Eyelid surgery can be done safely at any age.  But, rejuvenating the eye area does not necessarily require surgery!  Botox/Dysport, peels, lasers and fillers can rejuvenate the eye area non-surgically.  A full exam is necessary in order to assess skin elasticity and to evaluate the cause of bulging and dark circles in the lower eyelid.  Make sure that you consider all of your options before you commit to a surgery that you may not need!

Ask the Doctor

Too young or too old for rhinoplasty (nose job)?

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ASK DR. YAGODA

Dr. Michell Yagoda performs nose jobs in New York CityQuestion: At what age is too young or too old to get a rhinoplasty or nose job surgery? I’m 55 but I’m also asking for my daughter who still attends high school in New York City.

Answer: It is important that any teen considering rhinoplasty surgery has already completely gone through puberty.  This is because the nose doesn’t reach its full adult size until after puberty.  Plastic surgery prior to that stage will likely arrest the development of the nose and result in a nose that it too short or too small to be in harmony with the rest of the face.  In addition, it may result in incomplete development of sinus drainage and airflow pathways, causing functional impairment.  For adults, there is not a strict age limit, but unless they have had a recent nasal trauma that has changed the position and/or shape of the nose, I urge them to be wary of rhinoplasty! Most people are subconsciously attached to their nose and it is a defining part of their self image.  For this reason, I usually counsel people over 28 years of age against this plastic surgery procedure unless they had a recent trauma with a change in the shape and/or position of the nose; or if they always wanted a rhinoplasty but couldn’t afford it until now!  In NYC, most of the rhinoplasties I perform are on men and women between the ages of 17 and 26; men aged 38-52 who have been injured in a sports-related injury; and women of all ages who have had a traumatic fall or taxi accident.

Read more about the aging nose and the age limit for rhinoplasty.