Otoplasty?

LegacyUser

Otoplasty is plastic surgery for protruding (big)ears.

Im 26 years old and one constant in my life is that ive always had big ears which
i spent the most part of my life being tortured about,when i was in my early teens i begged my parents to let me have this surgery,but they wouldn't go for it.
For years after i became an adult i just kind of forgot about it,although i knew it was probably one of the first things people were thinking when they met me.
Has anyone ever had this surgery?(Or any plastic surgery),are you happy you had it etc?.
Id be a bit embarrassed having this surgery at 26(im Male) and have no idea how id even start.

spurious

unreg5543 wrote:

For years after i became an adult i just kind of forgot about it,although i knew it was probably one of the first things people were thinking when they met me.

I think you'll find it's probably not, you know.
Most adults are not bothered about that sort of thing and if they notice your ears, so what?

That said, it's really about how you perceive these things yourself. It's a relatively simple operation as far as I know (having taught some young people who have had it done) and your doctor will be able to arrange it.

In one case, I had a student whose ears looked much worse afterwards as they had been 'overdone' and now looked like they were permanently pressed into the side of his head, so it's not a guaranteed solution.

smiley666

Before you consider the surgery could you leave your hair grow slightly, then go to a good hairdresser that would style it in a manner which would make them seem to protrude less?.

I’ve never had cosmetic surgery but I’d certainly consider it if there were areas of my body that were having a negative effect on me as a person, my confidence, self esteem etc. Surgery for the right reasons is not a bad thing.

Google cosmetic surgery companies both in this country and abroad. Alternatively get your hands on the golden pages. They would surely be listed there.

Why would you feel embarrassed about having the surgery though? I’d imagine the staff at these places would be trained to be professional at all times and I’m quite sure the doctors would only love to see you come to them. (Surgery isn’t cheap… I’d smile nicely at somebody willing to give me a few thousand euros for an hours work). If the embarrassment was due to other people knowing take a weeks holidays after the surgery and stay indoors, alternatively wait until nearer the winter so you could wear a hat to disguise any bandages you may have to wear.


However you state “For years after I became an adult I just kind of forgot about it”….. “I’m sure it’s the first thing people think about when they meet me”

Why would you consider surgery because of what somebody else thinks? Do you know anyone that has the perfect body or personality? We all come with flaws of some kind or another. They are what make us unique.

To be honest I feel you may just be conscious because of the teasing you got as a child. I certainly don’t take any notice of peoples ears. And I don’t know of any decent people that do either. Believe me, if there are individuals in this world that are bothered by your ears they are most certainly not worth your time.

That said, your young (26) you’ve a lot of living to do yet and if this is something that makes you truly unhappy then I’d say go ahead and have it.

LegacyUser

'hey, i know you have become very self-conscious of your ears, but they are part of who you are. i know one girl who had it done, but i have to admit i've gotten used to my nice big ears. used to leave me really embarassed, and i used to aslways have my hair down, but they are my ears. heck, i've been called an elf over it before! but sure, if it's not them getting your confidence down, i'm sure your mind would think of something else. no one is perfect and we have to appreciate our flaws! don't let your ears get you down; be proud of them '

frobisher

I know a dude with ears that really, really stick out alot and are also about as long as I've ever come across. He's also one of the coolest guys I know. He talks about having big ears and laughs openly. One time I was in a bar with a freind who used to go out with this guy and some others. He came along and she introduced him by saying "This is such-and-such and he's living proof that everyone with big ears is deadly." Everyone laughed including him. Maybe he wasn't like that in his teens, I've never asked, but he's 100% cool with it now. You should consider changing your view on it. If I felt like you do I'd at the very least make myself go to counselling about it before going under the knife.

Boston

You don't dislike them yourself but hate how other people think about you as a result of them? Are you going spend your entire life changing just to please other people, and where would it stop? When people first meet me they think "dodgy fuker", I've been told this several times. It a combinations of my stature and accent, but I'd never change it, its part of who I am.

twanda

I know where you are coming from, OP.

I had terrible teeth when I was younger. I too begged my parents when I was in my teens to do something about it, but they just said I was lovely the way I was yada yada... Fast forward about ten years, and at the age of 27 I went and got braces myself. I didn't care how old I was, I just wanted to finally do something about it, and I have to say now that two small years of orthodontics has changed my quality of life for the better. I am more confident and happy in myself now. I would have done it sooner if I had have known.

I am sure there are a lot of people who will say that is very shallow of me and I should have loved myself the way I was, but when you are unhappy with something for years it can really get you down.

What I'm trying to say OP is that -in my opinion- if you are really unhappy about your ears then you should go ahead and change it - you are never too old.

Good luck.

LegacyUser

I've had it done 3 weeks ago. Had it done under local (cheaper) although i absolutely hate needles etc and told doctor this before. Was in and out in the same day, bandage round head for first night then took it off during day and wear it at night only now for another couple of weeks. Surgery wasn't bad, not enjoyable for me who hates the needles but they talked to me the whole way through etc so wouldn't be bad for someone who doesn't care. One has come out a bit though surgeon reckons they look fine, I disagree so have to leave it a few months to heal but he will do it again free of charge to fix it if i still feel the same. They are not flat against head, surgeon made sure of this. Still numb and tender at moment and haven't worn my hair up outside yet as being careful especially in the work i do but they do look better, take some adjusting. Don't realise till you do it what a difference it can make changing yourself! Oh and no one ever commented on my ears before (did wear my hair out all the time though) but i just hated them, parents didnt want me to do it years ago, so this time i just did it without telling anyone, only the bf who i live with knew and still is the only person who knows at the moment. Till I have it sorted think it is easier to make a decision u'reself and get on with it then have everyone telling you what to do and making you unsure. I had worried about them since my late teens and just never had the guts to do it, wish i had so long ago, now at least i can wear my hair up to go to the gym or for a run and can get on with things without wondering is someone looking at my ears! [By the way, in Australia this surgery is subsidised by the government and not considered cosmetic as it is corrective, it is hardly like getting a boob job or actual cosmetic procedures to change u'reself].

LegacyUser

I had it done when I was 18. I am 25 now. My left ear used to protrude more than my right ear so I got the left ear pinned back.

I'm glad I did it as it bothered me very much. You'd be surprised how common this procedure is! A lot of people get it done as kids - did you know Brad Pitt had it done?! Anyway I hope you are happy mate. Take care.

twix14

Hi Girluser. Am very interested in your experience. Like you, I am a 28 year old female and have wanted this surgery since I realised it was available, well over 12 years now. Never really discussed it with my family as the cost would have been a major factor and they would just deem it competely unnecessary. Having big ears has literally taken over my life. I stopped playing sport because of them, wear my hair down as much as possible and walk with my head down, I'm sure you relate. If possible could you tell me where you got it done, how much it cost, where you badly bruised etc. Really trying to gather as much info as possible. Thank you.

LegacyUser

I had this operation done, I hated my ears they tormented me all my life!I look so much better now. Its no big deal, its not that exp but be aware it can fail and need to be redone. I had it done with local first and the needles were brutal,about 5 around each ear!!Go general and its much less stressful- I think I'l have to have mine redone,I think they are starting to stretch out again, the skin naturally comes looser at the back over time. But overall, it was vital to my happiness,I wish Id had it done as a child.Only you know what you need to be happy.

The Recliner

1antoinne wrote: »

I had this operation done, I hated my ears they tormented me all my life!I look so much better now. Its no big deal, its not that exp but be aware it can fail and need to be redone. I had it done with local first and the needles were brutal,about 5 around each ear!!Go general and its much less stressful- I think I'l have to have mine redone,I think they are starting to stretch out again, the skin naturally comes looser at the back over time. But overall, it was vital to my happiness,I wish Id had it done as a child.Only you know what you need to be happy.

Hi

Your advice on your experience is appreciated

However the last post in this thread was over 2 years ago so I would assume the original poster has long since made their decision so I am locking this thread

Lots of people drag up old threads through searches but we need to bear in mind that requests for advice usually have a limited lifespam