Otoplasty help ?? im 16?

Question

i really want otoplasty, ive wanted it for about 2 years i HATE my ears they stick out so much i never wear my hair up (im a girl) and i always try to cover my ears, also when its windy i dont like going outside cos my hair will blow backwards revealing my ears so i hold my hair if i go out in that kind of weather. how can i ask my parents for it, im too scared to ask them? :(

i know they can afford to pay for it but i dont know if they will. but i heard its free on the NHS (i live in the UK) and was wondering if its still free for a 16yr old?? my ears are controlling my life and i hate it. please help!!

Answer 1

I am 18 and I recently had otoplasty [in March 2008] and I am so happy I did it.  I, like you, was really nervous to talk to my parents about it.  But I think you will be surprised at how understanding they are. I never wore my hair up.  I wore it up once to school when I was 12 and all the boys made fun of me so I never wore it up again.  I am also a competitive dancer and performances were terrible for me.  I love performing but I hated having my hair tied back in front of all those people.  If this is something you want to do, go for it!  I promise your confidence will skyrocket.  The surgery itself isn't bad at all.  Personally, I had complications with mine and even then, it was all okay and totally worth it.  If you have ANY questions about anything just let me know!  

Answer 2

I would do some research so you have some facts to present to your parents.  Explain to them how much it means to you and how much your concern controls your life.  Be mature about the situation so they know that you are being genuine.

Answer 3

it's free on the NHS sometimes, but I think you need to  be under 16 (it might be under 18 though so i'd check ) and you need to be able to prove its affecting your life, which it sounds like it is.

i know this is going to be of no help buut im sure it doesnt look anywhere near as bad as you think. but if it really would make you happier than talk to your parents , if they knew how upset you are maybe they'd pay for it or let you talk to a doctor who would find out if you could have it free.  

Answer 4

I hasd this done about a year ago, I was 13. I dance and it made me paranoid, I always wore my hair down and felt ashamed. Now it's so different. I talked to my mum and she took me to the doctors, he said I had 'bat ears', basically they stick out and I got it done free. I think if you're under 18 you get it free if they're bad enough to be done on the NHS. Mine weren't majorly bad so I think you should get it free. I was worried about talking to my mum but it was fine, the operation is fine, I didn't even have to stay overnight and I'm so scared of hospitals, injections etc but I was ok. Good luck!