What is Ear Surgery?
Otoplasty, or ear surgery, is a common surgical technique used to improve the appearance, shape, and projection of your ears, ensuring that they are in balance and aesthetically proportionate to the rest of the face. Sometimes referred to as ear pinning, otoplasty can correct defects in ear structure, regardless of the cause.
Some people suffer from a condition called marcrotia, which results in overly large ears that can have a significant impact on their social development. Otoplasty is often used to repair such defects and allow patients to live confident, ordinary lives.
Unlike inner ear surgery, ear plastic surgery Beverly Hills, CA, doesn’t affect any of the mechanisms of hearing. Undergoing an otoplasty won’t improve or affect your hearing as it focuses mainly on the outer, visible part of the ear.
How Does Ear Surgery Work?
The type of ear surgery depends mainly on your needs. To correct ear protrusions, the surgeon will cut away cartilage from the back of the ear, allowing the ears to lie closer to the head. Misshapen or disproportionate ears can be corrected as well with slightly different techniques.
There are several different kinds of ear surgery, depending on the corrections desired. These include:
- Ear lobe surgery to correct overlarge earlobes
- Upper ear surgery to repair ears that fold over at the tips
- Ear reduction surgery to reduce the size of overlarge or protruding ears
As cartilage is relatively easy to work with, our team of expert surgeons will be able to assist you, no matter what type of ear defect you may have.
What are the Benefits of Ear Surgery?
Ears form a significant part of a person’s appearance. If they look slightly wrong, it can severely impact his or her self-esteem. Ear surgery can help correct these issues, resulting in:
- Improved self-esteem and self-confidence
- Better overall facial symmetry
- Prevention of teasing and bullying (particularly in children)
- Natural-looking ears that fit your face
Who is a Suitable Candidate for Ear Surgery?
Anyone who feels uncomfortable with their ears can be a candidate for ear surgery. Unlike other procedures, ear surgery is available for all ages and can be especially beneficial for children who suffer from bullying or teasing.
Candidates for ear surgery include people who have:
- Ear shape defects, including marcrotia
- Damaged ears due to accidents
- So-called ‘cauliflower ear’ from fighting or trauma
- Overlarge earlobes
- Folded over upper ears
Ear Surgery for Children
Children make excellent candidates for ear plastic surgery. They often suffer the most from bullying and the social stigma of not ‘fitting in’. Also, their ear cartilage is soft and pliable, making it significantly easier to work with than adult cartilage.
Cosmetic ear surgery is typically performed under general anesthetic and takes at most two to three hours, depending on the severity of the correction. Children tend to recover from the surgery very well with minimal pain and discomfort.
Ear Surgery for Adults
Ear plastic surgery Beverly Hills, CA, is one of the less intensive plastic surgery procedures you can undergo, but it will make a significant impact on your life. Adult ear lobe surgery often takes place under a local anesthetic and takes a surprisingly short amount of time.
What Happens Before Surgery?
Before your surgery, our ear plastic surgery Beverly Hills, CA team, will schedule a consultation. Our expert surgeon will go over every aspect of the surgery with you to ensure that you’re comfortable with the procedure.
Our first step is to understand your needs. We’ll listen to what you want and then make recommendations suitable to your unique situation. Once we’ve done a thorough investigation, we’ll offer you several options, making sure you understand the rationale behind all of them.
We’ll go over the potential benefits and risks of every option so that you can make an informed decision on how to proceed. You’re welcome to ask questions and clarify anything at any point. We can talk about every aspect, from surgery preparation to recovery, as well as financing and costs.
Preparing for Surgery
Once you’ve booked your surgery, we’ll provide you with a detailed set of instructions on how to prepare. Some of our most helpful tips include:
- Stop smoking at least two weeks before your surgery
- Provide us with your complete medical history and current medications
- Stop any blood-thinning supplements or medications. Be sure to consult with your physician to work out a schedule for stopping and starting the medication up again.
Recovery After Ear Surgery
After your ear plastic surgery Beverly Hills, CA, you’ll be sent home to recover. Directly after surgery, we’ll apply soft surgical dressings to support your ear tissue while it heals. If necessary, we’ll provide a headband to support your ears and keep them in the desired position.
Recovery can last anywhere from two to six weeks, depending on the extent of the surgery. You won’t feel any pain, but you may notice swelling and itching as the skin around the wound heals.
Our surgeons will provide you with a complete aftercare package. Depending on your procedure, we may use either dissolving or non-dissolving stitches. If you have non-dissolving stitches, we’ll need to see you again to remove them at a specified date.
The most challenging aspect of ear surgery recovery is sleep. You’re not allowed to place stress on your stitches, which means you have to sleep on your back. If you’re a side-sleeper, our team has some expert tips to help you cope.
After four to six weeks, you should be back to normal and enjoying your new ears and the confidence they bring.
Get in Touch with Soma Plastics
Ear surgery can be life-changing, for adults and children alike. There are many reasons for getting an otoplasty, from conditions like protruding ears to damage from accidents. No matter what the cause, we have the solution.
Our team of expert surgeons wants to help you achieve your dreams. We value our customers and want to provide the best service possible. From the first consultation to the final result, we’re with you every step of the way. If you’re looking for a new level of confidence, contact us today!