Ear Surgery Procedure

Ear Surgery

Ear surgery, or Otoplasty, is a procedure that can reduce the projection of the ears away from the head. “Big” ears can be a source of anxiety or distress, particularly in school aged children, but there is a solution. With very minimal, hidden scars, big ears can be reduced in order to match the natural symmetry of the face.

Ear surgery is a cosmetic procedure to improve the shape, size, or position of the ears. If your ears stick out from your head, ear surgery can “pin” the ears back towards the head in order to make them appear more subtle and inconspicuous. 

Otoplasty can also help to decrease the size of the ears for patients who have especially large ears. For those who have misshapen or deformed ears due to a birth defect or injury, ear surgery can also correct abnormalities in appearance. Ear surgery is a safe procedure that does not influence the ability to hear.

Prior to ear surgery, you will have a consultation with Dr. Rankin to discuss the procedure in depth and to communicate your goals for surgery. We recommend that the ear surgery procedure be performed under general anesthesia in an accredited facility. The technique that is used during surgery can vary depending on your concerns.. 

Otoplasty incisions are typically made on the backs of the ears or within the creases of the ears to minimize scarring. Through these incisions, Dr. Rankin will remove any excess skin or cartilage and will create a natural-looking ear. The surgery takes about one to two hours.

The results from ear surgery are permanent, and will be immediately visible once the ear dressings are removed. The appearance of the ears will continue to improve as they heal and swelling decreases.

Downtime after an otoplasty procedure is about 1 week. During this time, you will experience some discomfort and itching around the ears. You will be provided with a protective head dressing. There can be temporary changes in sensation that should resolve over the course of weeks to months. 

During your recovery, you should avoid sleeping on your side and be careful when taking clothing on or off. We also recommend avoiding contact sports for at least 3 months following the procedure.

Otoplasty is commonly performed on school age children who are self conscious due to the appearance of their ears. While children can be candidates for ear surgery, they should generally be older than age five, to ensure that their ear cartilage is close to their adult size.

Children who are undergoing ear surgery should be able to cooperate and follow instructions. Additionally, they should be able to vocalize their feelings, and ear surgery will not be performed on children who express their objection to the procedure. 

Teenagers and adults who have large, protruding, or deformed ears also make excellent candidates for ear surgery. They should be generally healthy individuals, without any major health concerns that could inhibit their healing. Candidates should also be non-smokers and have a positive outlook and realistic expectations for their procedure.

The cost of ear surgery can vary depending on the complexity of the procedure. The price is also influenced by the surgical center and anesthesiologists fees, as well as your geographic location and the experience of your surgeon. On average, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, ear surgery costs $3,736. 

Cosmetic ear surgery is generally considered to be an elective procedure, and it is therefore not covered by most insurance providers.

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Want to learn more about how Ear Surgery can help you gain more confidence in your appearance? Schedule your consultation with a NorCal Plastic Surgery provider by calling (925) 856-4800 or filling out the consultation request form below. We look forward to helping you achieve your aesthetic goals.

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