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Ear Surgery
in Philadelphia, PA

Main Line Plastic Surgery in Bryn Mawr offers a comprehensive approach to ear surgery, blending technical expertise with a personalized touch. Under the guidance of Dr. Raymond Jean, patients receive attention tailored to their unique needs, ensuring optimal results for both cosmetic and functional concerns. Our commitment to precision and artistic insight allows people to look natural while addressing conditions like protruding or misshapen ears. With a focus on individual goals and careful surgical planning, Dr. Jean ensures that each patient feels confident in their transformed appearance. This dedication makes Main Line Plastic Surgery a trusted choice for ear procedures in Philadelphia.

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table of contents
What Is an Otoplasty?
Cosmetic Issues Addressed With an Ear Surgery
How Is Otoplasty Performed?
What Kind of Results Can I Expect?
Are There Any Risks Associated With an Otoplasty?
Recovery After an Otoplasty Procedure
Am I a Good Candidate?
What Are the Benefits of Cosmetic Ear Surgery?
Otoplasty Cost in Philadelphia, PA
What Makes Our Facial Plastic Surgery Different From Others?
Call Dr. Jean for Expert Care
What Is an Otoplasty?
Cosmetic Issues Addressed With an Ear Surgery
How Is Otoplasty Performed?
What Kind of Results Can I Expect?
Are There Any Risks Associated With an Otoplasty?
Recovery After an Otoplasty Procedure
Am I a Good Candidate?
What Are the Benefits of Cosmetic Ear Surgery?
Otoplasty Cost in Philadelphia, PA
What Makes Our Facial Plastic Surgery Different From Others?
Call Dr. Jean for Expert Care
What Is an Otoplasty? Banner

What Is an Otoplasty?

Otoplasty is a surgery that reshapes, resizes, and/or modifies the ears. It is often performed on children who have been or are at risk of being teased and bullied because they were born with cupped or protruding ears. The procedure can have lifetime benefits in terms of self-confidence and self-esteem.
Otoplasty may also help adults improve their quality of life. It can be an excellent opportunity to address a feature that may have been a thorn in your side since childhood. Otoplasty brings the ears closer to the head and flattens their projection for natural, aesthetically pleasing results.

Cosmetic Issues Addressed With an Ear Surgery

Misshapen Ears

One of the common cosmetic concerns addressed by an otoplasty procedure is misshapen ears, which may include deformities such as a lop ear. This condition causes the ear to appear folded or misaligned, disrupting its normal appearance. The otoplasty procedure is designed to reshape and reposition the ear cartilage, restoring a more symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing form. Patients often seek this procedure to enhance the overall balance of their facial features, providing them with greater confidence.

Prominent ears, where the ears are noticeably larger or stick out from the sides of the head, can be a source of self-consciousness for many. Ear pinning is a cosmetic procedure specifically addressing this issue by repositioning the ears closer to the head. This procedure is often used to create a more natural shape and alignment of the ears, making them less noticeable and proportionate to the rest of the face. By reducing large ears, pinning offers patients a solution that improves their appearance and self-esteem.

Asymmetrical ears, where one ear appears noticeably different from the other, are another common issue that can be addressed with otoplasty surgery. Sometimes, only one ear may be out of alignment due to congenital factors or injury. During otoplasty, the ear cartilage is carefully reshaped and repositioned to ensure a more symmetrical appearance that complements the patient’s overall facial structure. This procedure helps balance the ears, offering a harmonious look that can enhance facial aesthetics.

Stretched or torn earlobes, often resulting from heavy earrings or trauma, can cause discomfort and a cosmetic concern for many ear surgery patients. Through reconstructive surgery, the excess skin can be removed and the earlobe repaired, restoring the natural shape and size. Earlobe repair improves the appearance and alleviates any pain caused by the stretch or tear. This procedure allows patients to regain confidence and enjoy a youthful and well-proportioned look.

Earlobes can develop creases or wrinkles as the skin ages, leading to a less youthful appearance. This condition is typically addressed through a cosmetic procedure that rejuvenates the earlobe’s texture and contour. Removing excess skin and tightening the area smooths out the creases and restores a more youthful look. Residual swelling subsides over time, and patients can enjoy the benefits of a more aesthetically pleasing earlobe that complements the rest of their facial features.
How Is Otoplasty Performed? Banner

How Is Otoplasty Performed?

The techniques and incisions used in your otoplasty will depend on the surgical goals. Dr. Jean will discuss the approach with you during the initial consultation. Here is a typical otoplasty procedure:

Anesthesia

Otoplasty can be performed under local or general anesthesia, depending on the patient’s needs and the complexity of the specific deformity being corrected. Local anesthesia may be sufficient for minor adjustments or for adult patients to ensure comfort throughout the procedure. In cases involving children or more extensive reshaping, general anesthesia is typically recommended to keep the patient fully at ease. Dr. Jean will determine the most suitable approach during the consultation, ensuring a safe and comfortable experience.
Incisions are made in locations where the resulting scars will be well hidden. These openings are often created along the back of the ear, but sometimes may be placed within the inner creases of the ear.
Using the incisions, Dr. Jean trims excess cartilage and other tissues. He may use skin or cartilage grafts to build up certain areas. Dr. Jean repositions and folds the cartilage into the most aesthetically pleasing position in relation to the side of your head, and then sutures are used to hold it in place. Once the area has healed, the new position will be permanent.
After the ear reshaping, the incisions are carefully closed with sutures to secure the new ear position and promote proper healing. Our qualified surgeon ensures that closure is performed meticulously to minimize scarring and maintain natural contours. He will also discuss potential accommodations related to healing and follow-up care. The entire procedure takes about two hours, and patients can typically return home the same day with detailed aftercare instructions for optimal recovery.
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What Kind of Results Can I Expect?

Your ears will be reshaped to meet the objectives you and Dr. Jean discussed during the consultation. The results you see after the bandages are removed are not final; some swelling and redness need to be resolved, but an immediate difference will be apparent. After initial swelling resolves in two to three weeks, you will see a better result.
In three to six months, all swelling should be gone, and you will see your final results, which are more or less permanent except for the natural changes that may occur with aging. Some people decide to have minor revisions performed in the following years, although many individuals are happy with their results in the long term.
Are There Any Risks Associated With an Otoplasty? Banner

Are There Any Risks Associated With an Otoplasty?

Like all surgical procedures, otoplasty does carry the risk of certain complications, such as:
  • Asymmetrical results
  • Infection
  • Scarring
  • Loss of sensation in the area
  • Allergic reaction
  • Irregular contours
Talk to Dr. Jean about these risks and what he and our team do to prevent them from occurring. If side effects appear, they are most often mild and temporary.

Recovery After an Otoplasty Procedure

Wearing hats, ear muffs, and earphones may be uncomfortable for a few weeks, so we advise our patients to avoid them. At the same time, you should protect your ears from the cold, meaning you may want to limit your time outdoors. If you must go outside, use a loose-fitting scarf to cover your ears for several weeks. In addition, we recommend avoiding contact sports to avoid experiencing trauma.
Am I a Good Candidate? Banner

Am I a Good Candidate?

Good candidates for otoplasty want to address protruding or cupped ears. We treat a wide range of individuals, including older and younger individuals. Otoplasty can:
  • Correct differences in size
  • Change how the ears protrude from the head
  • Rectify damage due to an injury, over-piercing, or gauging
  • Modify the shape of the ears
  • Raise or lower one ear so it is the same height as the other
These issues can be something you were born with, or may have been acquired through injury or accidents.
If you are an adult or teen bothered by how your ears look, you may be a good candidate. Children are usually good candidates if parents have weighed the pros and cons and arrived at this decision as the best choice for their child.
People undergoing ear surgery must be free from ear or skin infections. You cannot be recovering from another recent surgery, like an ear tube procedure, when you have otoplasty.

What Are the Benefits of Cosmetic Ear Surgery?

Potential benefits of this ear procedure include:
The benefits will be unique to you. What is it that bothers you about your ears? The emotional and mental benefits can be life-changing if otoplasty addresses that issue.
  • Improved self-image
  • Prevention of bullying, teasing, and other negative aspects of protruding ears
  • Aesthetically pleasing facial shape and appearance
  • Repair of cosmetic ear damage
  • Long-lasting results
  • Minimally invasive, convenient procedure
Otoplasty Cost in Philadelphia, PA Banner

Otoplasty Cost in Philadelphia, PA

The cost of ear surgery in the Philadelphia area ranges from $3,000 to $7,000, depending on the complexity of the procedure and whether it is cosmetic or medically necessary. This estimate typically includes anesthesia fees, surgical facility expenses, and surgeon fees. The exact cost can vary based on the specific technique used and whether additional treatments are needed.
Dr. Jean provides personalized price quotes during the initial consultation.
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What Makes Our Facial Plastic Surgery Different From Others? Banner

What Makes Our Facial Plastic Surgery Different From Others?

At Main Line Plastic Surgery, technical skill and clinical precision aren’t treated as separate from aesthetics — they’re all part of a comprehensive process shaped by Dr. Raymond Jean’s deep foundation in reconstructive science and his sensitivity to form. Whether performing otoplasty on an outpatient basis or correcting eyelid issues for vision-impaired patients, Dr. Jean approaches each procedure with a research-informed eye and a respect for nuance. Unlike practices that favor a one-size-fits-all method, his work reflects a medical philosophy rooted in curiosity, meticulous attention, and a refusal to standardize what should be personal.
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Call Dr. Jean for Expert Care

Ear surgery performed at Main Line Plastic Surgery can dramatically change how you feel about yourself. We invite you to schedule a consultation if you are in Philadelphia, Villanova, Bryn Mawr, and other nearby areas in Pennsylvania. Call us or give us a text at 484-222-0010 today! You can also visit our contact page to submit an appointment request form.