I recently read a comment on Realself by a mother who described her feelings trying to calm her 9-year-old daughter who often comes back from school upset due mean remarks as to the shape of her ears. She asked if it makes sense to undergo plastic surgery at such a young age to pin her daughter’s ears.
I consulted New York parents with similar concerns. It seems that among the most common targets for school bullying are visible physical irregularities, including ears that appear to stick out or that are larger than average. Adults can understand that these physical traits are beyond a child’s control. Children, on the other hand, may not always grasp this concept and have a hard time accepting their perceived “flaws”. Bullying can negatively affect a child’s self-esteem and cause damage to their confidence and self-worth. Coping with bullying because of large or prominent ears is unnecessary, especially as an otoplasty can reduce the size and alter the shape of large ears.
What is an Otoplasty?
An otoplasty is essentially an “ear-pinning” surgery in which I will strategically re-design the look of your child’s ears to be more in line with the structure of his/ her face. The surgery can be performed on children as young as 5 years old (when the ears have achieved nearly adult size) and will give a balanced, natural looking result. In fact, I often advise patients who seek my help to undergo the surgery earlier rather than later in order to avoid harassment by their peers. An otoplasty can prevent issues that may occur if he or she is teased about the size, shape, and dimension of their ears.
Treatment Options for Large, Protruding Ears
As a surgeon, I take pride in being able to apply my expertise to the benefit of my young patients, thereby rebuilding their self-confidence. No one should be ashamed of their looks or feel self-conscious in public because of such a correctable condition. If you live in NYC or the tri-state area, call our office to schedule a consultation and discuss your child’s options. In some cases I would advise consulting with a psychologist as well, to ensure that a physical issue is at the core of the problem.
