What do you think of DC having their ears pinned back?

[LondonBus]

DD was born with very sticky out ears.

When the GP visited after she was born (home birth) she asked if I had any concerns. I didn't apart from the very obviously sticky out ears. I expected the GP to say something like "Oh, well, there's nothing medically wrong with her, don't worry." Instead it was suggested we had them pinned back when she was 5, "before the teasing starts."

DD is now 7, and has noticed her ears stick out, and says she wishes they were flat against her head. She has only said this when she has wet hair, and looks in the mirror. Other children have never said anything. She has a short bob, and her hair is never tied up.

I do wonder if she might like to have her hair tied up when she's older, though. She does look quite comical, if very cute when her ears can be seen.

I don't think I have the guts to put her through an operation though. DH feels the same way, although he suffered teasing about his ears as a child, and they are no way as prominent as DD's. It is something that does concern him. somehow, operating on a child for vanity reasons seems wrong. Would it be right if she we're being mercilessly teased?

What do other people think?

My cousins son had the op when he was 8. Made a huge difference to his level of confidence. And he was old enough to make the decision for himself.

It's just a random internet strangers opinion, but I'd do it. Really. It's not a big op, the NHS very, very rarely offers cosmetic ops and they do offer this one. And to me, that is quite telling in itself.

I think what's cute in a tiny can be significantly less cute in an older child or teen. It's a long haul till you get to adult-who-can-tell-other-bullies-where-to-get-off.

My friend had the op as an adult and was delighted with it. She wishes she could have had it done as a child and is a bit resentful of the way her parents brushed off her concerns about her ears.

I think if your dd is bringing the subject up herself then it would be reasonable to look into the options and weigh up the risks/benefits.

Agree with the others, if she wants it done then do it

I wad like you and decided to wait until my child was old enough to make that decision.

He's going to be 13 soon.

He was never teased and occasionally mentions them.

My dd4 has sticky out ears, we find it quite cute and endearing but if she wants to have them pinned back when she is older than I wouldn't stop her.

I had mine done at 10, it was my choice to have it done I became concious when I was about 9 so asked to have it done (I was pushed up the waiting list because I needed another urgent op at the same time and the same surgeon was doing it otherwise I would have been closer to 12 before it was done)

I have never regretted it, infact it was one of the best decision I have ever made. It was a tough few weeks but it all paid off and was well worth it.

Sirzy, you say it was a tough few weeks. Why was it tough? Did it really hurt?

The first night was painful as you would expect but beyond that it was more uncomfortable and the bandaging was very heavy (although mine was heavier due to the other operation and some of my pain was from that too).

I was back in school within a week though, but had to avoid sports for a few weeks longer. I had to wear bandages at night for a few weeks too to protect them.

(it was close on 20 years ago I had it done though so memories are hazy!)

I had mine pinned back at about 5/6 I think. I had started being teased and had the nickname 'dumbo' so my mum decided for me. Glad she did because I didn't have to make the decision for myself after experiencing harsher bullying at Primary or Secondary school.

I remember having a turban like bandage round my head for six weeks

DC had at age 8. Couldn't get on NHS in our area tho. It isn't actually a very small op and first 24 hours quite miserable. After that completely fine and very happy had done. Best to have before they can think too much about getting an op but are able to talk through.

However no swimming for a while and bandages on tightly, then hairband to hold them back for weeks as much as possible (to get best chance of lasting result). Good to time in hols cos of bandage. Hairband easier for girl maybe?

I think it's key that she makes the decision. I have similar worries about my DD's partial underbite (bigger op though!). I'm more worried that she might think I thought she wasn't good enough, or pretty enough, than I could ever be about her teeth.

I had the op, about 29 years ago. I was 8 at the time.
I was bullied at school for it. I love my ears now, but my dd1 has my ears. If she gets bullied at school like I did, and he wanted it done then I'd let her. But, if it was an image thing, and no one has bullied her, I wouldn't let her. Because its her own self image iygwim.

Funnily enough, the girl that bullied me the worst shovels horse shit for a living. Nice.

Happy, I had the turban too. My mum has a photo of me with it on, with a tuft of hair sticking out.

I had it done when I was 11, I'm 43 now. It was painful, but worth it as I was teased.

My daughter is 5, she has my ears, but no one has ever said anything and she is oblivious.

BUT if she wanted it done when she's a little older, I'd let her.

I hAd the op - at 30! The surgeon found it very comical and sAid his normal patients were 6. My kids will both need it too, it's not s big deal, not painful and I wish I'd had it done sooner as would have felt so much more confident as a teen without the sticky out ears!!

Jealous of all you lot having it done as kids!!
But I can remember the detail, it definitely wasn't that bad! Not painful. One week with a bandage around my head. Didn't leave the house that week.
I'd actually completely forgotten I'd had that op until I saw this thread!

If your dd wants it done then do it.
If not, then don't.

My DP had his done privately when he was in his late 20s, he ended up getting into debt to have it done,he says he wishes his parents had let him have it done when he was younger as it really affected his confidence, his 2 siblings are the same and they've never had it done, I think in your situation I'd probably let her have the op when she's older, maybe about 10.

I had it done when I was 7, I didn't know my ear stuck out.
I remember I had to wear a turban for weeks.

Hmm I wanted it done when I was a child and my mum said we would wait until I was a little bit older to see if I still felt the same. I have to say I grew into them after a while and I really don't mind my ears at all.
My beaky nose on the other hand...

I worn a turban for one week only....

Both my Dad (aged 8) and sister aged about 10 have had this done.

Sister had hers after her lovely class mates nicknamed her FA cup.

If my Dad had his way (bloody stubborn mother) she would have had it done years earlier.

I don't remember her being sore afterwards and I was old enough/ involved enough to have done so had she been sore.