No one could ever accuse Gary Gotlieb of being wet behind the ears - until now.
The high-profile Auckland lawyer and New Zealand age group ocean swimming champion is recovering from a condition commonly known as "surfer's ear", which requires surgeons to remove both ears to get rid
of abnormal bone growth.
Gotlieb, 63, has been a competitive ocean swimmer for the past 20 years.
His condition, known in medical circles as "exotoses of the external auditory canal", developed as a result of his repeated exposure to cold water and wind.
As a consequence, the lining of the ear become damaged, causing overproduction of the bony substance found under the lining of the ear canal.
When approached by the Herald on Sunday, Gotlieb was initially reluctant to talk about the operation, but then agreed, saying publicity about the condition could help others who were suffering from with the same symptoms.
In Gotlieb's case, had the condition not been treated it could have got to the point where it resulted in painful ear infections - even hearing loss.
He said the bone growth in his right ear had got progressively worse, to the point "it was like a pinhole to see through".
He said before the operation he had mental images of both ears hanging off the side of his head, but put those aside in the interests of his own health.
While the operation had been complicated, Gotlieb was pleased it had been a success, and he hoped to be back in the water in the next six to eight weeks.
He said some in legal circles joked he had had both ears removed because he was sick of hearing his own voice, but he wanted to confirm that wasn't true.
Surgeon Hamish Sillars said the operation, while a little gruesome, was reasonably common, especially among surfers and kayakers.
Sillars said the operation was performed under general anesthesia.
Gotlieb, Sillars commented, had been a model patient, and he could look forward to making a full recovery.
