Fifteen-year-old Renata, who has chosen to keep her last name and hometown private, recently made the controversial decision to have plastic surgery done on her nose in an attempt to stop her tormentors from bullying her, TODAY.com reports.
Renata was long labeled "the girl with the big nose," and the bullying had become so bad that she was terrified to go out in public, her parents having chosen to homeschool her years ago.
"I'm just afraid I'll never have any friends or anyone to be there for me," the teen told TODAY, adding that she thought having a nose job would boost her self-esteem and help put an end to the teasing.
As her mother could not afford the rhinoplasty operation, which can cost around $7,000 from a well-regarded surgeon, according to the Daily Mail, Renata sought out help from the Little Baby Face Foundation, an organization that provides free plastic surgery for children with birth defects.
According to the foundation's lead surgeon, Dr. Thomas Ramo, the group receives hundreds of emails each year from children requesting an operation.
"We can't go after the bully - but we can try and empower the children," Ramo told TODAY. After meeting with Renata, he agreed to perform the surgery as well as a cheek implant to "balance out her face," and his decision has not been without controversy.
"I dont think it's sending the wrong message - (Renata) still sees what she sees in the mirror and it has an affect on her self esteem and confidence regardless of what anyone says," said the teen's mother. "Parents crack children's teeth with braces to make their teeth straighter - they're still the same kid on the inside. Unfortunately people are judged on how they look."
Renata is now confident enough in her appearance to attend a new school next year.
"I think if (the bullies) see you getting the surgery to fix something that they teased you about it would make them feel bad and maybe it would change their mind about doing it," she told TODAY.
