Ear Surgery
Improve the Size and Shape of Your Ears
Improve the Size and Shape of Your Ears
Achieve Balanced, Less Prominent Ears
Patients with large or uneven ears may feel embarrassed and insecure about their appearance. Otoplasty, also known as ear surgery, is a safe, low-risk procedure aimed at correcting, reshaping, and improving the size and position of the ears. At Imagos Institute of Plastic Surgery, Dr. Onelio Garcia can help you feel beautiful and confident through ear surgery.
Patient Photos
Candidates
Teenagers Over 16
Patients with overly large ears often suffer from a condition known as macrotia. Teenagers born with large or protruding ears are among the most common patients to undergo ear surgery. At Imagos Plastic Surgery, this type of surgery is performed on candidates who are over 16 years old. Please consult a plastic surgeon who works with younger children if you are under 16 years old.
Patients With Prominent or Disproportionate Ears
Many men and women undergo otoplasty because they are unsatisfied or embarrassed with the size, protrusion, position, or disproportionate nature of their ears. Patients who exhibit overly prominent ears often lack typical cartilage and support, making the fold of the ears look odd or causing the ears to stick out from the head. Other patients may take issue with the placement of their ears or the shape of their earlobes.
Patients Who Have Suffered Injury
Patients with misshapen ears as a result of having suffered a severe injury can benefit from ear surgery. Ear damage can happen from falling, car accidents, sport-related injuries, or other forceful hits to the head that can cause severe bruising or cauliflower ears. Cauliflower ears commonly occur from sport-related injuries that block blood from flowing to the cartilage of the outer ear, resulting in misshapen or bulbous ears.
Ear Surgery Procedure
Anesthesia
You will be given general or local anesthesia with intravenous sedation before your procedure based on the amount of correction needed.
Incision
Once the anesthesia is induced, a small incision will be made on the posterior crease of the ear.
Molding/Adjusting the Ears
Many times, a small strip of skin is excised from behind the ear. If normal folds are missing from the ears, they can be recreated by molding the cartilage with permanent sutures. Sutures are also responsible for mobilizing the entire ear closer to the head.
Some Common
Concerns
-
Recovery
Otoplasty is performed on an outpatient basis, and you will be able to return home after your surgery. Patients will be given a compressive head dressing they must keep on for five to seven days. When sleeping, make sure you lie with your head upright. Depending on how you are feeling, you will be able to return to work or school between seven and 10 days after the procedure. Excessive workouts and activities are prohibited for at least four weeks.
-
Results
Your ear surgery will give you more aesthetically shaped and proportioned ears with long-lasting results.
-
Pain
It is normal to experience a moderate amount of pain, bruising, and swelling following your surgery, but pain medication will be prescribed to alleviate discomfort. Bruising and swelling will subside after four weeks.
-
Cost
Dr. Garcia will be happy to provide you with an accurate estimate of the cost of your ear surgery during your consultation. For more severe ear complications, your procedure may require additional costs.
Frequently Asked
Questions
-
Q: Can smoking affect my ear surgery results?
If you are an active smoker, this can affect the tissues in your body and complicate your recovery time. You will be asked to cease smoking for two to three weeks before your procedure.
-
Q: How long does ear surgery take?
Ear surgery can take between one and three hours depending on the patient’s desired results.
-
Q: Are there any risks involved with ear surgery?
Complications such as hypertrophic scars, sensory nerve dysfunction, hematoma, infection, distortion, visible folding of the ear cartilage, recurrence of ear prominence, and loss of tissue may occur.