Ear Reshaping (Otoplasty)

Click here to see Ear Reshaping Before and After photos.

WHO IS A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR EAR RESHAPING?

• Patients who are self conscious about their protruding ears.
• Patients whose ears do not have natural creases or curves.
• Patients with small or constricted appearing ears.

THE PROCEDURE

• Local or general anesthesia can be used and it takes about one to two hours.
• Incision is usually on the back of the ear to expose the ear cartilage.
• The cartilage is then reshaped and sutured in place to create the natural fold and decrease the prominence.
• Occasionally, a piece of cartilage is removed either from the posterior incision or from an incision inside the ear.
• This can be combined with many other cosmetic surgeries especially the nose reshaping to bring better balance to your facial features.

THE RECOVERY AFTER EAR RESHAPING

• You can go home after several hours.
• The head is wrapped in gauze dressing to help with healing and molding of the ears.
• After a few days the bulky gauze dressing is removed and a headband can be worn.
• Minimal pain that is mostly gone by the second or third day and easily controlled by medications.
• Swelling is mild to moderate for the first week, and rapidly disappears thereafter.
• The ears may throb or ache for a few days.
• Resume many activities within the first week, and most by the third week.
• Stitches are removed between seven and ten days.
• Off of work for three to five days.

THE RESULT FROM EAR RESHAPING

• Better balance of the facial features.
• More natural curvature of the ears.
• Improved look.