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Advanced Facial Plastic Surgery Center
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Question: Has anyone with Down's Syndrome used the advances of cosmetic surgery center to correct the facial markings of DS?
I was wondering if anyone has used cosmetic surgery to correct the facial trademarks of Down's Syndrome. This would not only allow the natural features of the individual to come through, but it might also eliminate the discrimination and stereotyping that often accompanies DS.
So can anyone in the group help me please?
Answer: Are you referring to the almond-shaped and upward-slanting eyes, the rather flat facial profile, the unusually-shaped ears, the small, flat-bridged nose, and protruding tongue? I've never heard of anyone with this disorder resorting to cosmetic surgery to improve ones appearance. There are numerous surgical procedures, however, to alter almond-shaped eyes, ear shape, etc. But the young men and women that I have encountered are not self-conscious of their appearance--even those that are high-functioning, independent and productive.
P.S. -- You sparked my interest in looking further into this subject and this is part of what I found:
Facial Reconstruction in those with Down's
The immediate goal of reconstructive surgery is to improve the appearance of the face. Surgical procedures used toward this goal include partial resection of the tongue, correction of the down-turned lip, lifting of the nasal bridge, removal of fat from the neck, placing implants in the zygomatic bones (cheeks), removing the epicanthal folds and making the palpebral fissures more horizontal. Several studies have been published by surgeons showing approval by parents of the results of plastic surgery. However, one of these studies also showed that independent raters found no improvement in appearance.
The purpose of the surgery, however, is not merely to improve appearance but to improve social acceptance of people with Down syndrome. One study has suggested that people with Down syndrome are subject to decreased acceptance by their peers on the basis of facial features alone. The argument on behalf of facial reconstruction states that as parental expectations for school achievement and job opportunities increase, that modifying the face (along with the conventional therapies) can increase the opportunities for success in society.
It does appear to be true that, after facial reconstruction, parents have been pleased with the resulting change of appearance of their child. However, studies have not demonstrated any significant impact of the change in facial appearance on the children's social functioning. Further, some studies have disputed the notion that the appearance of children with Down syndrome has a deleterious affect on how they are perceived.
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