Cosmetic Surgery Popular Gift for Graduates

The demand for plastic surgery among teens has swelled in the last few years—and has even become a popular graduation present, according to Crain’s New York Business.

In 2009,  8,199 U.S. teenagers aged 18 and 19 had breast enlargements—more than triple the number in 2001, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Furthermore, the increase came during the height of the recession, at a time when there was a drop in the overall number of plastic surgeries.

While teens now make up just 2 percent of all cosmetic surgery patients in the United States, their numbers are growing, most likely in part because of press coverage of celebrities’ bodies and more openness about plastic surgery in U.S. culture.

“In the past few years, I’ve seen more younger people doing more plastic surgery than ever before,” says Dr. Andrew Jacono, a plastic and reconstructive surgeon in New York City. “There’s a lot of pressure on young people to look a certain way, and when kids go away to college, it’s a chance to start all over.”

Popular procedures for teens include nose jobs, liposuction treatments and breast augmentations. “Breast surgery is at the top of the list for graduates now,” says Manhattan plastic surgeon Dr. Mauro Romita.

Stephanie Michelle, who just graduated from the University of Buffalo, originally wanted a nose job for her high school graduation present; her parents said no. Now that she’s graduated college, they’ve agreed and the family is researching doctors.

“This is the perfect time to do it,” says Ms. Michelle. “I am going to be on my own and moving to the city and becoming an adult.” Read the full article, “Pomp and rhinoplasty honor grads,” at Crain’s New York Business.