6-Year-Old Was Being Bullied So His Parents Gave Him Plastic Surgery!

#1 First Grader, Gage Berger Was Bullied Because of His Ears

Before & After...

After being taunted by kids at school for his big ears, a 6-year-old boy underwent surgery to pin them back. "I just don't want to be made fun of," said Gage Berger. The little boy revealed that kids would say he looked like "an elf" and everyone would always stare and laugh at him.

#2 Gage's parents Tim and Kallie opted for him to have a two hour surgical procedure on his ears to build his self confidence

"He just gets really down on himself and he thinks, 'I'm not good enough,'" Kallie Berger said.

The parents ultimately brought Gage to see a plastic surgeon who would "pin back" his ears so they don't protrude as much. The father said the two-hour surgery isn't any different than "taking your child to get braces" and explained they let Gage make the final decision.

#3 Dr Mobley explains the procedure to Gage

Some experts, however, argued that children are too young to know if they truly want plastic surgery. Gage's surgeon, Dr. Steven Mobley, revealed that the minimum age he performs ear pin-backs on children is 5, and he also assesses their mental health and maturity levels before letting them undergo the procedure.

#4 It's a Two Hour Surgery

Tim and Kallie said they decided to opt for the two hour surgery at the hands of facial plastic surgeon, Dr Steven Mobley, in Salt Lake City.

Dr Mobley used an ear carved in wood to explain the surgery to Gage so that he would not be afraid. He demonstrated how he would give Gage the inner circle of the ear by sewing it into the right shape and pinning it back.

#5 They Changed His Appearance

The ear tuck removed the "elf ear" in surgery. Ear pinning is now common. A doctor uses stitches to pin back the ear and then removes excess skin.

#6 A Life Changing Procedure for a Young Child

According the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, over 63,000 cosmetic procedures on noses, ears, and overly large breasts were performed on teens ages 13 to 19 in the U.S.

'It's harder to make friends so they become socially stunted. They are also perceived as less intelligent by peers and even adults,' said Steven J. Pearlman, MD, a facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon.

'If you look at cartoons depicting individuals of lesser intelligence, they are often drawn with big, protruding ears,' he told The New York Daily News.

'By the age of six, the child is old enough to understand they are being bullied and can participate in the decision for surgery.'

#7 Gage Was Strong and Brave

Gage chose to take along his stuffed tiger with a green bandage around his head to his surgery who he said was also getting his ears pinned back

#8 Would You Allow Your Child To Get This Type Of Surgery?

Child psychologist Karen Caraballo warned families against plastic surgery for their children.

'It is concerning to use plastic surgery to stop bullying,' said Dr Caraballo.

'There should be zero tolerance for bullying. Bullying can threaten students' physical and emotional safety at school and can negatively impact their ability to learn, socialize and deeply impact their mental health,' she added.

#9 Postsurgery, Gage's parents said he's "much more confident" and "back to his old self again."

Gage smiled from ear to ear when he looked at himself in the mirror after the surgery.

When Gage saw his new ears, he exclaimed, "Oh my gosh!"

His big smile from ear-to-ear said it all.

Dad said, "I think it looks really good!"

#10 Not Everyone Agrees With The Parents' Decision

Some people are criticizing the procedure, suggesting there should have been other ways of dealing with Gage's constant bullying. His parents say they went through with it to help with [his] emotional well-being.

#11 He Is a New Boy!

Critics may have their say and the media may chatter about what is right or wrong with a child getting plastic surgery, but the look on this boy's face say's it all. Let's hope he is no longer the victim of bullying at school.