An otoplasty is a cosmetic surgery procedure performed to change the look of the ears. The most common reason to undergo this surgery is to bring protruding ears closer to the head. It can also be done to reduce abnormally large ears, fix asymmetries or correct birth defects. An otoplasty can only be performed after the ears have fully grown, which usually occurs around age 5.
Get Ready for Surgery
The first thing you will need to do in order to correct your ears is set up a consultation appointment with one of our plastic surgeons. Your doctor will review your medical history and perform an examination of your ears. They will also discuss your expectations for the surgery. If everything goes well, your otoplasty will be scheduled for a later date.
There are a few things you will need to do in the days leading up to the surgery. You will need to avoid taking aspirin and other over-the-counter medication that can thin your blood. It is also recommended that you avoid smoking cigarettes for several weeks before and after the surgery. This will ensure your body can heal as fast as possible.
Day of the Surgery
You will be given an anesthetic shortly after arriving for your otoplasty. Local anesthesia with light sedation is generally used for most adult patients. Children will almost always be put under general anesthesia since they tend not to be able to sit as still for as long as they are needed to. Once the anesthesia has started working, the surgeon will make an incision on your ears. The location of this incision is based on each individual case, but it is always done in a discreet spot.
Once the incision has been made, the surgeon will remove extra cartilage and/or skin from your ears. The remaining cartilage is then moved into the desired position before getting secured with stitches. The incision on the ear is then closed with more stitches to complete the procedure. The entire surgery will take one to three hours to complete.
The Recovery Process
You will be moved to a recovery room with bandages on your ears immediately after the otoplasty is completed. A friend or family member can drive you home after a short stay in this recovery room. You will likely experience some itching and discomfort on your ears. It is very important to avoid touching the ears during the recovery process. You must also avoid any activity that puts pressure on the ears.
You will return to our office a few days after the surgery to get your bandages removed. It will take a few more weeks before your ears are fully healed, but you will notice the positive results of the surgery immediately after the bandages are removed.
Ear Pinning Consultation
Now that you know all about otoplasty, it is time to set up your consultation appointment with Dr. William Sabbagh or Dr. Marissa Baca at Straith Clinic in Bingham Farms, Michigan. Both are board-certified and have decades of combined experience performing otoplasties on many patients. Call or contact us online to get started today.
