A 7-year old South Dakota girl, who has been a victim of bullying because her ears stick out, underwent an otoplasty — plastic surgery to reshape and pin back the outer ear. Samantha Roselle’s mother told ABC’s ‘Good Morning America’ that the surgical procedure was chosen as a preventive measure, in order to stop the bullying.

Cami Roselles, Samantha’s mother, said, ‘Kids are mean. That’s just how they are.’

The operation, which lasted for over 2 hours, was successful, according to Dr. Steven Pearlman, the surgeon who performed the operation. He told ABC, ‘Her ears look great!’