Ear Surgery

Offered at our convenient location in Houston, TX

Ear Surgery Houston, TX

Significantly prominent ears can be a source of significant psychological and emotional stress for people of all ages. Self-consciousness and bullying associated with large ears can lead to severely declined confidence, affecting social well-being and overall quality of life. While children and adults should never be harassed for their appearance, ear surgery can immensely improve the lives of those who struggle with this concern daily. The expert, board-certified plastic surgeons at The Clinic for Plastic Surgery provide some of the best otoplasty Houston has to offer so that you or your child can live a happier, more confident life.

Ear surgery is a very popular procedure for patients of all ages – including children and adults. That’s because no matter how old or young you are, overly large ears can cause extreme emotional and psychological distress.

An otoplasty may be the ideal solution if:

  • You are self-conscious about your ears.
  • Your ears lack natural creases and curves.
  • Your ears are asymmetrical, protruding or oddly shaped.
  • You were born with severe ear defects.
  • Your child’s ears make them a target for bullies.

Large, protruding and oddly shaped ears are more than a simple cosmetic imperfection. They can severely detract from your quality of life, causing you to feel embarrassed about your appearance. When this occurs, ear surgery with Dr. Sukkar can sculpt smaller and more discreet ears, providing you with a renewed sense of self-confidence.

Before and After Photos

Benefits

Ear surgery (also known as otoplasty) can effectively resolve a wide range of concerns about the appearance of your ears, including size, prominence, asymmetry, or those related to shape. Your ear transformation can enhance the proportions of your appearance, complementing your facial features rather than detract from them. The highly experienced Houston plastic surgeons at The Clinic for Plastic Surgery can help you achieve less noticeable, natural-looking ears.

Procedure

To begin your procedure for Otoplasty Houston plastic surgeon, Dr. Sukkar, will administer anesthesia – local anesthesia for adults and general anesthesia for young children.

Ear Surgery Houston, TX

From there, he will make an incision behind each ear. Through that opening, he will artistically reshape the cartilage to create a more attractive structure, ensuring a balanced and symmetrical final look.

If your ears are overly large, he may even remove unwanted cartilage and skin, creating smaller and more discreet ears. If you have protruding ears, he will also reposition them so they rest closer to your head, before closing the incisions with sutures. He will then wrap gauze around your head to protect your ears and promote healing, before sending you home to begin the recovery process.

Overview

Ear surgery can do more than restore a more attractive cosmetic appearance. It can dramatically improve your quality of life by:

  • Addressing virtually any cosmetic imperfection relating to the ears.
  • Preventing children from being bullied because of their appearance.
  • Delivering relief from emotional and psychological distress.
  • Enhancing your overall feelings of confidence and self-esteem.

In addition, ear surgery is a very safe and practically risk-free procedure that is associated with very minimal downtime and scarring.

Ideal Candidate

Otoplasty may be an excellent treatment option for patients of any age whose lives are adversely affected by the appearance of their ears. Candidates for otoplasty must be in good overall health and not smoke. It is also important that you have a positive outlook and feel excited about your procedure and life after ear surgery.

Expectations

You can do several things in the weeks leading up to your otoplasty to ensure a smooth procedure and the best possible results.

For two weeks before your surgery, you should avoid any medications or substances that could increase your risk of bleeding. This includes NSAIDs, certain vitamins and herbs, and smoking. You may also fill your pain relief prescription to have your medication on hand immediately after your procedure. You should also make sure that a close friend or relative will be available to drive you home, as you will be groggy from anesthesia.

Ear Surgery Houston, TX

The anesthesia your surgeon will use for your Houston otoplasty will depend on your age. While adults can undergo ear surgery with local anesthesia, young children will need general anesthesia for their procedure.

Your surgeon will create an incision just behind each ear. Then, they will meticulously sculpt the cartilage to create an improved appearance and symmetry. If you would like to reduce the size of your ears, your surgeon may remove skin and cartilage. If you are unhappy with the protrusion of your ears, your surgeon can reposition them so that they lie closer to your head. Once your surgeon has created your ideal look, they will close your incisions and apply a gauze head wrap around your head to keep your ears protected as they heal. You will be able to leave soon after your surgery to recover at home.

Recovery

After your Houston Otoplasty is complete, you should expect to stay home from work and school for at least five days to give your body an optimal chance to heal. During that time, you will likely experience some pain and discomfort in the area, though it will be manageable with medication prescribed by Dr. Sukkar.

You’ll need to wear your gauze dressing for the first week, at which point you can replace it with a soft headband that holds your ears in their proper position and ensures they retain their new shape. Throughout the recovery period, you’ll need to avoid rigorous activities, extreme heat, sleeping on your side and washing your hair with shampoo. In addition, you should try to keep your head elevated at all times, even during sleep, to ensure an optimal healing process. Most of our patients are able to resume their normal daily routines within one week, with a full return to all activity within three weeks. With that said, Dr. Sukkar will provide you with personalized guidance during your post-operative appointments.

Results

You will realize your full results as soon as you heal. Until then, you can look forward to a more balanced appearance and freedom from the self-consciousness you may have experienced as a result of overly prominent or large ears.

Contact

If you’re ready to learn more about ear surgery in Houston, we invite you to schedule a consultation at The Clinic for Plastic Surgery today. During your private meeting in our Clear Lake office, we will carefully assess the cosmetic imperfections you’d most like to address, before creating a custom ear surgery treatment plan for you.

FAQ

What is the best age for cosmetic ear surgery?

Ear surgery is less effective on children whose ear cartilage has not stabilized. This usually happens between the ages of five and seven. Your surgeon can assess your child’s ears to determine if they are developed enough for surgery.

Will there be noticeable scarring?

No. The incisions created during ear surgery are small and well-concealed behind the ears so that your results will look completely natural.