Cosmetic Surgery Questions

I have a couple questions regarding cosmetic surgery.

1. I had upper jaw surgery in February and ever since my nose has no long matched my face. It is noticeably off center, and it stands out from my face much less than it did before. I know the surgery did not cause it to become off center, as it made the rest of my face more symmetrical, but in order to make my nose match my now symmetrical face the results will have me looking much more youthful and slightly feminine. (Which occurred once already from the jaw surgery) I do not mind this, but then again, I am only 19. People guess my age as between 15 and 16, and I take it as a compliment. If I do go through with the procedure, will my face continue to mature? I have heard that once your nose has been surgically altered it will no longer grow. I worry about being 40 and having the same face I do now… plus a few wrinkles. Boy would THAT look unnatural…
2. I also was wondering about jaw contouring. My mandible is very straight on one side but for some reason has a rounded area on one side near my chin which does nothing except make my face slightly more off balance. My jaw line is quite prominent and therefore it has been pointed out more times than I care for. I have never heard of anyone actually having their jawline shaved down to create symmetry and I was wondering if it is an actual procedure… and how much something like that might cost financially and in healing time.

Thank you for your time

1. By the age of fifteen or sixteen your nose has effectively stopped growing. It sounds like you have likely lost projection of your tip and or bridge area. These areas can be improved or corrected using reconstructive techniques including the possibilities of bone and/or cartilage grafts. I do not expect your nose to grow any further at the age of nineteen.
2. It may be possible for a maxillofacial surgeon to refine your jaw contour. This would depend upon the thickness of your jaw bone in the area to be recontoured, and the possible proximity of sensory nerves responsible for sensation in the area of your lower lip and chin. The surgical team that worked on your previous jaw surgery would probably be best equipped to advise you.

Answers supplied by cosmetic surgeon Jon A. Perlman MD, FACS