If you don’t like the shape or appearance of your protruding ears, you may wonder if there’s something you can do about it.

Some people choose to have an otoplasty in Houston, also known as cosmetic ear surgery, to alter the ears’ shape, position, or size.

You might want otoplasty surgery if you don’t like how far your prominent ears stick out, you have large or stretched earlobes or if you have misshapen ears due to an accident or congenital disability that impacts the outer rim or the ear as a whole. Our ears are so easily seen, an ear reduction can help patients feel happier and more confident in their appearance.

Patients can have otoplasty any time after a potential patient’s prominent ears have reached their adult size, usually after five years old.

Otoplasty Procedure

This procedure to correct ears can be done in the surgeon’s office or at the hospital. Your surgeon may use local anesthesia or general anesthesia, depending on your preference.

The exact procedure used depends on what needs to be corrected. For example, some plastic surgeons may make incisions on the back of the ears, while others make them in the ear creases.

After making the appropriate incisions, the surgeon will remove extra skin and cartilage if needed. Then, they will fold the ear cartilage into the correct position and fix it in place with stitches. Last, the surgeon will use exterior stitches to close your incisions.

Otoplasty (sometimes called an ear augmentation) usually takes about two hours.

Preparation For Otoplasty

The first step is to talk about ear correction surgery with your plastic surgeon during the initial consultation. During this visit, you will cover the following to be prepared for Otoplasty:

Medical history: Your surgeon will ask you about your past and current medical issues, especially any ear infections you’ve had. They also will ask about medications you take and if you’ve had surgeries recently.
Physical examination: To decide if otoplasty surgery is for you, the plastic surgeon will examine your ear placement, size, symmetry, and shape. They also make take pictures for their records.
Your expectations: Your surgeon will ask why you want ear correction surgery and what you expect. If you have unrealistic expectations, they may decline to perform cosmetic surgery. They also will talk about the risks of surgery, including overcorrection.

Potential Complications Of Otoplasty

Ear reshaping is safe and effective, but it’s still severe surgery which means there are otoplasty risks to consider. So you should understand the potential ear surgery risks before you move forward.

Scarring

Every surgery has scars, including otoplasty. But while the scars are permanent, they’re usually hidden behind the ears or in the ear creases.

Scars are one of the risks of otoplasty, so if you’re concerned about scarring, talk to your plastic surgeon about where they’ll place the incisions.

Asymmetry

Your plastic surgeon will make the ears as symmetrical as possible. But there is a chance asymmetry can occur as the ears heal. Also, plastic surgery isn’t always able to correct asymmetry.

Allergies

Be aware of the possibility of abnormal skin sensation. Some patients may have an allergic reaction to stitches, surgical tape, or other materials used during the surgical procedure.

Problem With Stitches

Stitches that fix the ears into their new position may come to the surface and need to be removed. This can make the skin inflamed, and additional surgery could be required.

Otoplasty Recovery

During otoplasty recovery the surgeon will cover your ears in bandages to provide support and protection.

You will probably have some itching and moderate pain for two or three days. Take pain medication if your doctor recommends it. But if you have excessive pain, call the surgeon immediately.

You should keep pressure off the ears by sleeping on your back or stomach at first. It’s also vital that you don’t rub the incisions for the first two weeks.

The surgeon will remove your bandages after three or four days, and your ears may be red and swollen.

Some patients wear a headband to cover the ears at night for the first three or four weeks. This prevents you from pulling your ears while you sleep.

Talk to your board certified plastic surgeon about when the stitches will be taken out, but some stitches dissolve independently. Also, ask when you can go back to regular activities, such as working out and bathing.

Otoplasty can be a good choice for someone who has a correctable problem with their ears, such as their size or placement. If you have realistic expectations and are in good health, it could be what you’re looking for.

Also, remember that you can have other procedures during otoplasty to give you even better results for your appearance. Some popular choices are breast augmentation, eyelid surgery, double chin removal, and liposuction.

Questions and Answers

Is otoplasty surgery safe?

Otoplasty, like any major surgery, carries risks such as bleeding, infection, and reactions to anesthesia. Scarring is possible but usually hidden behind or within ear creases.

Can otoplasty go wrong?

Various studies have documented complications of otoplasty, encompassing hematoma, bleeding, infection, recurrence, skin/wound healing issues, scarring, suture-related concerns, pain, and itching.

What is the success rate of otoplasty?

Continued care: Otoplasty may have a notable recurrence rate, yet achieving desired results is feasible. Revisions, often office-based with local anesthesia, refine outcomes. Successful outcomes occur in approximately 80% of otoplasty cases.

Is otoplasty life threatening?

All surgical anesthesia carries risks, including complications and, in extreme cases, mortality. Asymmetry is natural; variations in ear shape and size are typical due to the inherent asymmetry of the human face.

Request a Houston Otoplasty Consultation

Interested in otoplasty in Houston? Please set up a consultation with Dr. Ashley Steinberg today. She’ll talk to you about the risks and benefits of otoplasty and help you decide if the procedure is a good fit.