my 5 year old daughter has prominent ears and I would like to know if surgery is the way to go at this age?

Question

She has only had one comment made to her once at nursery before the school holidays but I have noticed her being observed by other adults. I don't want to put her through torture but I don't want her picked on at school and feeling very self concious about them. I think she is the cutest thing going and so does her Daddy but we are biased! Has anyone any experience of this and how did it go.

Answer 1

My 8 year old has no cartlage in her ears which means she didnt develope a fold either. Which makes her look like her ears are huge. There really not that big they just like as if they are. The only way to mak them look normal is to "tack" them. Honestly they dont bother her that much, and yes kids have made comments but because she knows why there the way they are she just tells them and it curbs anymore poking fun. She asked her ear specialist one day why her ears were so big and she gives kids the same explination he gave to her. I think you should leave it up to your child. If you do the surgery now shes young enough to not really remember it. If you wait till she is a teen ager she will feel like plastic surgery is the answer to everything. So my honest advice is now or never.

Answer 2

I would rather her come to me with this problem, then have her shave. Shaving just increases the growth in the hairs. It like stubble on a mans face. He shaves in the morning, and by the evening her already has stubble appearing. Shaving, as you said waste time, and in the long run is more uncomfortable than waxing. I hope that when my daughter is around that age, she won't even bother shaving, because if you wax from the start of your hair removing days, the longer it takes for the hair to grow back. I can go for months w/o waxing because I've waxed since 14. I feel, as a mom that 13 is a bit young for a bikini wax, but, I wouldn't want my child to unhappy with her appearance, or self conscious about anything. Try asking your mom can you go to a salon and get waxed. Even show her your post. I would let my daughter get the bikini wax, just for the summer time, though. Ask your mom can you get it done for the summer time so you can wear you swim suits. Good luck.

Answer 3

My friends son had prominent ears (he didn't have the fold) and she didn't know what to do - have the op or not. In the end she went for it and had it done at the age of 5, purely for the fact that people can be cruel and she thought being such a young age that he would get over the operation a lot quicker. The boy is now a happy 10 year old and non the wiser about the operation.

Answer 4

I am astounded at some of the replies you have received, it is a shame to me that people obviously have not read what you have typed properly....had they done so they would have not been so swift as to judge. I don't think they can perform surgery this young but only because she is still growing. Maybe a way to help is to do something with her hair to try and disguise her ears. Don't let her have them pierced as that only draws attention. Adults are so cruel and unfortunately their children see this and imitate them. I would ask your GP first and then ask advice from a beauty therapist. They know some wonderful tricks to hide our less attractive points. Just keep telling her what a beautiful child she is and what a wonderful blessing she is. It will be more of a problem for her as she gets older. I really wish you every luck that you find a solution so that she doesn't have to have this one thing to dread about herself.

Answer 5

My best friend has prominent ears and I doubt her parents ever considered surgery. She just never tucks her hair behind her ears. I don't think I'd put my child through surgery unless it was a life threatening emergency. Your daughter can decide later in life if she wants this procedure. You should focus your energy on helping her build a positive self image so she can blow off those little comments we all hear as kids. Keep telling her she's the cutest girl ever and don't let it bother you that others notice her ears. She'll pick up on your attitude about it.

Answer 6

If by prominent, you mean they stick out on the sides, I have heard of this in the past about other small children with this issue. You might ask your pediatrician about the concerns you are having and feeling for her self esteem. I believe some people have tried to tape the ears down on the sides with clear tape, but am not sure if this technique is short term from day to day or long-term. You might ask your pediatrician if he/she has heard of this technique and if it or anything like it might work, since your child still has a long ways to grow and what seems like prominet ears now might become very normal looking ears as an adult. Thank you.

Answer 7

You have to be kidding....right???

You'd actually consider doing this to a 5 y.o who hasn't even fully developed physically yet.

Is the problem really her ears or is it YOUR vanity that's bruised because you produced a child that is not absolutely perfect in the physical sense.

If you are really that concerned about "prominent ears" PLEASE consult a doctor to find out what is within normal parameters and what is not, and if there is a REAL problem, beyond your perception that they are too large.

I hope my being a bit harsh to you is making you think a little because that is exactly what you need to do.

Putting any child, especially a 5 year old, through purely cosmetic surgery like this would be is absolutely ludicrous.

Answer 8

I had very prominent ears as a child.

My head has grown into them somewhat, but I was teased at school and it probably has shaped my character to a certain extent. I came through that time with a very strong view that I wasn't going to change my appearance to suit stupid nasty people. I am me and they fxxx off if they don't like it!

However, recently I got talking to an acquaintance who told me that he also had prominent ears as a young man - he had them pinned back and he said it was the best thing he ever did because it gave him a strength of self confidence that he never had before.

All I can conclude from this is that you need to give your beautiful daughter time to grow up and make her own mind up. Try not to give her any indication that you have a point of view at all, but love and support her in whatever she wants to do.

Answer 9

Since all children develop at different paces, it is not wise to consider plastic surgery during childhood for cosmetic reasons. For medical reasons, it would be important. Are her ears a medical symptom, such as in Fragile X Syndrome? In many disorders, these are just symptoms and do not need to be remedied.

It is also important to instill the practise of having healthy self esteem at an early age, particularly in girls (who tend to suffer more from depression, anoerexia, body dysmorphic disorders), all of which are mental health illnesses that can lead to suicide and other detrimental situations.

You may want to consider the message that you would be conveying to your young child about their "outward appearances" before setting out on the "plastic surgery to combat others' comments" journey.

Answer 10

She will grow into them eventually. I wouldn't worry too much. It is great that you are concerned for her but plastic surgery will only be teaching her all the wrong things. How far, as parents, do we take our childrens happiness? Is it OK that we buy our teenagers breast implants to boost their self esteem? Or how about a nose job for sweet sixteen because she's sensitive about her nose. Really how far as parents do we take this? Honestly, all the teasing and all of the hardships we endure make us who we are. Without the teasing and hardships most of us would be so far up our own butts that nothing would get accomplished. The best thing we can do as a parent is to instill love and strength in our children. You have the best of intentions really, but at what expense? Good Luck & God Bless!