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One in 7,000 babies is born without an ear. Most patients are given a false one made from plastic or silicone. But the NHS now offers reconstructive surgery, using cartilage from the patient's ribs. Here, model Sasha Gardner, 25, from Bournemouth, talks to Rachel Murphy about her experience, while her surgeon explains the procedure.

Sasha Gardner's operation transformed her life

I arranged to meet Mr Gault, who explained he would have to cut through my stomach muscle on my left side, an inch above the bottom of my ribcage.

He'd then remove six inches of cartilage from my ribs, which would be formed into an ear shape and attached to my head.

Before : Sasha's original ear

After: Her reconstructed ear made from rib cartilage

Cartilage is flexible and connects the ribs to the breastbone, so that your ribcage can expand when you breathe.

I was warned my new ear might not be perfect, but he'd use my left ear as a template.

Sasha was born without an ear, a condition known as microtia.