According to the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ISAPS), Colombia is one of the ten countries where plastic and aesthetic surgeries are performed the most, and ranks third after Mexico and Thailand among those who accept the most foreigners for this purpose. The most popular surgeries are rhinoplasty, but what are the risks if performed at a young age?

Famous model Tatiana Murillo, who won the title of Colombian Barbie with her numerous surgeries in the past days, created an event on social networks by accepting that her 12-year-old daughter Sofia had a rhinoplasty.

According to the Mayo Clinic, rhinoplasty is a surgery that changes the shape of the nose. The reason for rhinoplasty may be to change the appearance of the nose, improve breathing, or both.

The upper part of the nose structure is bone, and the lower part is cartilage. Rhinoplasty can replace bone, cartilage, skin, or all three. The surgeon will consider factors such as facial features, nasal skin, and what the patient wants to change.

This is often one of the most demanded aesthetic procedures among adolescents. However, the surgeon will only be able to continue if the adolescent’s nose is fully developed.

Girls usually reach full growth between the ages of 14 and 16, while boys may take longer. If an attempt is made to reshape the nose before full growth is achieved, the remaining growth will essentially spoil the new appearance.

Risks of rhinoplasty at a young age

In these procedures, it is common for the patient to stay in bed with their head above chest level after surgery to reduce bleeding and swelling. The nose may become blocked due to swelling or splints placed in the nose during surgery.

Sofía, who also has her own Instagram profile with the user @sofiavelezmurillo on this subject, said that the process took about an hour and a half and she spent several days without sleep due to pain.

“I’m miraculously alive. It’s such a pain, but it’s amazing how one nose can change your entire face,” she said.

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