My Ears Are Now Perfect, Thank You!

I have been putting off writing this for months as I know it will be quite long.. I had otoplasty (ears pinned back) and an ear reduction at the same time in Aug 2020. I had met Dr Stewart (Ken) online and in person prior to this to discuss my requirements. I have hated both the size and prominence of my ears since being a teenager. I was bullied. I didn’t realise there was anything wrong with them until I was told by others. It’s sad really, but kids can be horrible little gits. My left ear was by far the worst and I found out from Ken it was actually a good few cm longer than the right one. This bothered me most. The consultations were thorough and Ken was rigorous in checking this was going to benefit me psychologically as it’s quite an invasive procedure and obviously the reduction isn’t something you can easily reverse. I was in two minds about whether to do the combined procedure as the reduction seemed like a bigger risk than straightforward pinning back. I decided due to cost and travel and the fact that I didn’t in all honesty feel that simply pinning back would fix the issue, to have the combined surgery. His secretaries are brilliant and miles better than that of other ear specialist surgeons I had consulted with. Prompt and polite. Refine surgery were really great. Most importantly: he is in a league of his own when it comes to surgical skill. Totally unrivaled in my opinion and I’m very happy with my ears and that’s what matters most. I was actually recommended Ken by another otoplasty surgeon. I had it without a general anesthetic so that I could leave hospital quicker. I travelled from the North East to Stirling for the surgery and went home the same day. I had local anesthetic in both ears. I won’t lie it did hurt being injected there, but felt nothing after that pain-wise. Ken is amazing once you’re in surgery. I’ll say that I didn’t find his bedside manner in some of the consultations to be the most warming.. but I think this is to make sure you really definitely do want it done and are sure it’s the right decision. Once in the surgery room he chatted away and made sure I was comfortable and at ease. His colleagues were total professionals too and some of the nurses there were lovely to me before and after. The main thing is - he just knows what he is doing with a scalpel. I wasn’t sure what I was going to find once the bandages were removed. I won’t lie, the anxiety is real having it bandaged a few days and you wonder what they look like. Sleeping for the first few days is almost impossible. I needed the codeine I was given and took it all. There was quite a bit of blood for me because of the reduction part but it stayed within the layers of bandages. When I eventually did remove the bandages myself my ears looked close to my head but pretty perfect. This evened out after a few days and now they are just amazing. They were very very tender for weeks. I got my stitches removed about 10 days later I think, at my local GP. Ideally I’d recommend going back to see Ken if given the choice, and having him or an experienced surgical nurse remove them, as the local nurses where I am actually missed one or two of my tiny butterfly stitches and I had to go back and they were unpleasant. So go back to Stirling if you can post-op to have them removed properly by Ken or one of their nurses. Ken recommended a good scar gel too which has helped to minimize scars. I don’t think they’re even noticeable at the front and only two small lines at the back but they will probably fade even more yet. The COVID test posed a bit of a problem as I had to have a negative test before going into hospital so they posted one to me but it was a bit confusing as to when to send it to ensure it was processed but still within the narrow timeframe of my surgery. This is the only part that was a bit confusing as to what to do. I’d also say there was no check up or follow up consultation. Had there been, I would have had nothing but praise really. I only wish I’d done this years ago. Ken - a thousand thank yous! You’ve given me my confidence back. I can FINALLY wear my hair up again. First time since being about 13. I can swim and exercise without being full of shame. Talented isn’t the word. Thank you!