Plastic Surgeon & Medical Spa Serving Bryn Mawr, Villanova & Communities Near The Main Line Of Philadelphia, PA
What Is An Otoplasty?
Otoplasty is 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. For children who are good candidates, the procedure can have benefits that last a lifetime in terms of self-confidence and self-esteem.
Adults also undergo otoplasty. It can be a great opportunity to address a feature that may have been a thorn in your side since childhood. You can finally let go of the feeling that all anyone sees is your ears when they look at you. Otoplasty brings the ears closer to the head and flattens their projection for natural, aesthetically pleasing results.
Am I a Good Candidate?
Good candidates for otoplasty want to address protruding or cupped ears. 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 may be genetic and something you were born with, or may have been acquired through injury or accidents.
If you are an adult or teen bothered by the way your ears look, then you may be a good candidate. Children may be good candidates if parents have weighed the pros and cons and arrived at this decision as being the best choice for their child.
People who undergo ear surgery must be free from any 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 The Procedure?
Potential benefits of this ear procedure include:
- 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
The benefits will also be unique to you. What is it that bothers you about your ears? If otoplasty can address that issue, then the emotional and mental benefits to you can be life-changing.
How Is Otoplasty Performed?
The techniques and incisions used in your otoplasty will depend on what is being achieved. Dr. Jean will discuss the approach with you at your consultation.
Incisions are made in locations where the resulting scars will be well hidden. These incisions are often along the back of the ear, but sometimes may be placed within the inner creases of the ear.
Using the incisions, Dr. Jean may trim excess tissue and cartilage. He may use skin or cartilage grafts to build up certain areas. Dr. Jean will reposition and fold 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.
What Kind Of Results Can I Expect?
Your ears will be reshaped to meet the objectives you and Dr. Jean discuss in the consultation. The results you see after the bandages are removed are not final; there will be some swelling and redness that needs to resolve, but an immediate difference will be apparent. You will see a better result after initial swelling resolves in two to three weeks. 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 years that follow, although many more people are happy with their results for the long term.
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 occur, they are most often mild and temporary.
Recovering from Otoplasty
Wearing hats, ear muffs, and earphones may be uncomfortable for about a week or so, which is why 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 the amount of time you spend outdoors. If you must go outside, use a loose-fitting scarf to cover your ears rather than a snug stocking cap or ski mask.
Call Dr. Raymond For An Otoplasty In Bryn Mawr!
Ear surgery performed at Main Line Plastic Surgery can dramatically change the way 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! Or, you can visit our contact page to submit an appointment request form.
* Results will vary by person and are based upon the patient, the procedure, and the aftercare program.