The Student Room Group

Getting ears pinned back?

Ok so for as long as I can remember my ears have stuck out a lot more than I would like which has affected my confidence greatly. Today I got a haircut and realized it was so short that it kind of exaggerated my ears. I've been thinking about it ever since and even decided not to go out tonight because of it.

So I decided to look up surgery that would 'pin back' my ears and I found 'otoplasty'. It looks fairly quick (1 week recovery time) and I do not care about the pain that would come with it. I've also heard that you can get it done on the NHS for free if it is causing psychological pain however if I can't get it done on the NHS I have no problem with getting a job and saving up.

The only problems I have is that I don't know how to tell my parents about it as I have never spoke about anything like this before. I think it will be really embarrassing and I'm not sure how they react.

So my questions to you are 1/ how should I go about telling my parents? 2/ How would I go about arranging the actual surgery?

Thank you and sorry for the long post

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Reply 1
I honestly don't think you should worry about your ears like that. How old are you? I always felt the same way you did until this year I realised its not as bad as I was making it, so if I were you i'd wait. You don't want to take any unnecessary risks.
Reply 2
Original post by AishaTara
I honestly don't think you should worry about your ears like that. How old are you? I always felt the same way you did until this year I realised its not as bad as I was making it, so if I were you i'd wait. You don't want to take any unnecessary risks.


I'm 16, I know what you're saying but I can't see any negatives of getting this done
Reply 3
My friend got it done but her dad's a private surgeon so he did it for free :smile:
Reply 4
I know what you mean about talking to parents. You fear that they will think your suggestions are silly teenage angst and publicly laugh it off........and this is exactly what they do :mad:
Reply 5
Original post by Podcaster
I know what you mean about talking to parents. You fear that they will think your suggestions are silly teenage angst and publicly laugh it off........and this is exactly what they do :mad:


this is exactly what I'm worried about
Reply 6
Book an appointment with your local GP :smile:

After you've discussed the cost and other implications you could talk to your parents, and then they'll know you have maturely considered it.
Reply 7
Original post by Blothom
Book an appointment with your local GP :smile:

After you've discussed the cost and other implications you could talk to your parents, and then they'll know you have maturely considered it.


I know this is going to sound so stupid, but is my GP just my local doctor?
Original post by physicshelpme
I know this is going to sound so stupid, but is my GP just my local doctor?


Yes
Reply 9
Original post by Normandy114
Yes


Is he the person who would decide whether I get this on the NHS rather than paying for it privately?
Original post by physicshelpme
Is he the person who would decide whether I get this on the NHS rather than paying for it privately?


Possibly, I'm no expert so I'm not sure, but if NHS funding is dependant upon psychological pain they may refer you on to a psychiatrist, or they may be able to tell themselves. I'm not sure tbh.
Reply 11
Original post by physicshelpme
Is he the person who would decide whether I get this on the NHS rather than paying for it privately?


They'll advise you about that sort of thing and let you know if there is any possibility of that. Though if you don't genuinely believe you are deeply psychologically affected by your ears then it might be quite cheeky to try and get it on the NHS - like benefit fraud. But certainly see what the doctor says. :smile:
Original post by Blothom
They'll advise you about that sort of thing and let you know if there is any possibility of that. Though if you don't genuinely believe you are deeply psychologically affected by your ears then it might be quite cheeky to try and get it on the NHS - like benefit fraud. But certainly see what the doctor says. :smile:


yea I completely understand that, however there's no harm in trying
(edited 11 years ago)
Original post by physicshelpme
I'm 16, I know what you're saying but I can't see any negatives of getting this done


my friend had it done and he has scar lines and he says that infact his ears dont look so normal as you can tell theyve been tampered with. I'd wait another year or 2, its common at 16 to be super paranoid about your appearance, if by 18 you havent changed your mind then go for it.
Original post by AishaTara
my friend had it done and he has scar lines and he says that infact his ears dont look so normal as you can tell theyve been tampered with. I'd wait another year or 2, its common at 16 to be super paranoid about your appearance, if by 18 you havent changed your mind then go for it.


Possibly because it was done too "tight". My sister had her ear pinned back because it stuck out considerably and she became weary of it around the age of 9. I had no idea whatsoever she'd had it pinned back as it looks just as normal as her other ear (on which she did not need the surgery). My mum said she's got a hairline scar behind her ear which, obviously due to hair, you can't see at all.
I'd recommend it. Definitely go to your doctor and see what they have to say and it's possible that they may suggest private surgery but if they don't then maybe ask? They might look up a few local private places for you and you can take it from there if you like.
I've had this done, I didn't even ask for it, I had quite bad ear injuries that needed surgery and in the hospital in a meeting with the surgeon he said "your ears stick out quite a bit too, we'll sort that out". Cheek!

But they look better anyway. It will drive you mad having the bandage on for 10 days though. Getting it off and washing your hair is orgasmic x 10.
Original post by Alix23
My friend got it done but her dad's a private surgeon so he did it for free :smile:


That's highly unethical on his part :eek:
If you're only 16, you should definitely wait till you've physically matured... say till the age of 23. If it's still a problem then, then do it.
Original post by physicshelpme
Ok so for as long as I can remember my ears have stuck out a lot more than I would like which has affected my confidence greatly. Today I got a haircut and realized it was so short that it kind of exaggerated my ears. I've been thinking about it ever since and even decided not to go out tonight because of it.

So I decided to look up surgery that would 'pin back' my ears and I found 'otoplasty'. It looks fairly quick (1 week recovery time) and I do not care about the pain that would come with it. I've also heard that you can get it done on the NHS for free if it is causing psychological pain however if I can't get it done on the NHS I have no problem with getting a job and saving up.

The only problems I have is that I don't know how to tell my parents about it as I have never spoke about anything like this before. I think it will be really embarrassing and I'm not sure how they react.

So my questions to you are 1/ how should I go about telling my parents? 2/ How would I go about arranging the actual surgery?

Thank you and sorry for the long post


Book an appointment with your GP and talk to them about it. They will refer you to the specialist you need to see. Also, young people are more likely to get 'cosmetic' procedures on the NHS. Privately you are looking at around 2500 to 3000 pounds.

As for your parents, ask what they think about your ears and then see if they would support you in getting them surgically altered.

Just a note, although recovery isn't as long as 'major' surgery. All surgery requires an anaesthetic which can be dangerous.
Reply 19
If I were you, I'd wait. At 16, most people are super-paranoid about their appearance and very self-conscious, so IMO it's not a great time to make decisions about cosmetic surgery. When I was 16, I was convinced I wanted rhinoplasty and a boob job, but now I can see the two are both ricidulous and unnecessary :rolleyes:

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