POSTED UNDER Ear Surgery Reviews
Otoplasty age 11
UPDATED FROM ChiChiBella
From low self confidence to no self confidence
ChiChiBellaOctober 7, 2018
I had an otoplasty at age 11 with Dr Barnett. Unfortunately the results on my right ear left me still unable to wear my hair back due to an something gone wrong with either the surgery or healing leaving my ear looking very unnatural. Basically I was teased at school because of it and this procedure did nothing for my self confidence.
I'm currently researching my options to remedy this. See my photos on my profile...
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Replies (2)
October 14, 2020
Thanks, yes, I agree, 11 is quite young and I guess research for a reputable surgeon was not done.
I haven’t done anything with my ears, like Alessandra, so even If one young person sees this and reconsiders surgery then it’s worth it!
I haven’t done anything with my ears, like Alessandra, so even If one young person sees this and reconsiders surgery then it’s worth it!
ORIGINAL POST
Botched Otoplasty
ChiChiBellaOctober 4, 2018
I had otoplasty aged 11, which I totally regret. So basically my whole life I have never felt confident tying my hair back. Dr Barnett totally disfigured my right ear. I would have rather kept my protruding ears.
This is the biggest regret of my life and I wonder often whether the cartilage can be reshaped to a less alien-like appearance since.
I'm pretty easy going and forgiving with my expectations but my right ear has caused me so much insecurity over the years I get angry with myself for ever asking my mum to organise it for me as a child.
This is the biggest regret of my life and I wonder often whether the cartilage can be reshaped to a less alien-like appearance since.
I'm pretty easy going and forgiving with my expectations but my right ear has caused me so much insecurity over the years I get angry with myself for ever asking my mum to organise it for me as a child.
Replies (5)
October 5, 2018
I also had a botched otoplasty at a very young age. 27 years later I finally decided to see it someone could fix it... and they did! My biggest fear was that I'd go through the surgery again and it wouldn't work or look worse (if that was even possible). I have no regrets. You'd be amazed what a good plastic surgeons can do. Look into it! I went to Dr. Frank Rieger in Tampa. Surgery and recovery were a breeze.
October 5, 2018
The bleeding after surgery caused that coupled with the risky technique of cartilage scoring. The scar tissue needs realising then some pieces of cartilage as brace sto stop it coiling back up while it heals.These can be taken from the ear or the ribs id go for rib cartilage as its stronger and less likely to recoil
October 5, 2018
I did have a consultation with an older, experienced plastic surgeon who mentioned that many surgeons wouldn't want to take on my revision due to difficulties with 'cartilage memory' and my ear having been like this for 25 years so there are no guarantees. He seemed apprehensive to operate but I value his honesty and expertise. I'm not sure there are many plastic surgeons that specialise in revision otoplasty...
October 6, 2018
I had a similar problem to yours and let a normal plastic surgeon with no experience in this kind of deformity and made the situation worse. i had to do some serious research on who could help me out as i was left disfigured being a guy with receding hair covering them with hair was not a option. This when i learnt of David Gault UK who specialises in ear deformities including ear reconstructions and microtia and made a massive difference to my ears that change my life, there not perfect of course because of the previous damage done especially by the second surgeon.
it wasnt cheap about 11000GBP inc a overnight stay in hospital as i had rib cartilage removed and had suction drains on ears overnight.
Have you consulted with Dr Nicholas Lotz in Australia as he is a ear reconstruction surgeon?
it wasnt cheap about 11000GBP inc a overnight stay in hospital as i had rib cartilage removed and had suction drains on ears overnight.
Have you consulted with Dr Nicholas Lotz in Australia as he is a ear reconstruction surgeon?
October 14, 2020
Thank you, and I’m sorry that you had to go through what I have, but glad you fixed them!
I did look into Dr Lotz, yes. Years later though, and I haven’t proceeded with anything...as you can see I left my insecurities for a couple of years, but I still think about revision surgery often.
I did look into Dr Lotz, yes. Years later though, and I haven’t proceeded with anything...as you can see I left my insecurities for a couple of years, but I still think about revision surgery often.
October 6, 2018
I did find Dr Nicholas Lotz on my research journey but decided that Mosman NSW is a long way to travel for a consultation but he really seems like the best choice for his speciality in Australia. Thank you for the advice, it does seem that I may need to travel to find the right surgeon.
It's just so frustrating that I'm having to pay so much more to fix my ear from something I didn't have to get done in the first place.
You ended up paying a lot to correct the first surgeons work, I guess it's worth it to regain self confidence. I feel like sending photos to Dr Barnett and saying: look what happened to my ear when you reshaped it!
I will pursue Dr Lotz expertise further, thank you.
It's just so frustrating that I'm having to pay so much more to fix my ear from something I didn't have to get done in the first place.
You ended up paying a lot to correct the first surgeons work, I guess it's worth it to regain self confidence. I feel like sending photos to Dr Barnett and saying: look what happened to my ear when you reshaped it!
I will pursue Dr Lotz expertise further, thank you.
In all fairness, however, seeing as how you were both 11 and they both turned out badly, I am going to have to assume it is not always the best idea to perform an otoplasty on a child that is not done growing. Especially at 11! That is just my opinion. May this be a teaching tool for other kids wanting to get it done. Just wait until 17 or 18. Heck, even 16.