What is Otoplasty?

Ear surgery, also known as Otoplasty, is a procedure that is performed in our center located in NJ & NYC to help correct a defect in the ear structure that is present at birth. As the child ages, the ears may become more prominent with development. This facial plastic procedure may also be performed due to a misshapen ear that was caused by injury.

Otoplasty aims to create a natural ear shape while bringing proportion and balance to the ears and face. The results can have multiple benefits on self-esteem, confidence, and overall appearance by correcting minor deformities or structural oddities.

When is Otoplasty Necessary?

Patients' ideal time to undergo otoplasty is typically performed best with early recognition when the child is at preschool or early elementary age. It is extremely common for patients to go through a correction at this time. However, it may extend into the early childhood years.

More frequently, adult otoplasty is becoming quite common, more so than early childhood. This proves that it is never too late to correct or improve your appearance through surgery in facial plastic clinic.

The advantage of adult otoplasty is that the procedure can be performed with the patient under local anesthesia, with or without sedation.

Procedure Types

There are two types of ear procedures: reconstructive or reduction.

Reconstructive otoplasty is performed to fix deformities that were present at birth or caused by injury. Some patients may only have this procedure on one ear. However, a bilateral otoplasty may be necessary, in which both ears need to be reshaped or repositioned.

Reductive ear surgery is ideal for patients who may not have protruding, prominent ears. However, they feel as if they are too large for their head. Reduction surgery in New Jersey and New York will help bring symmetry and balance to the face. This may also be accompanied by earlobe reduction.

Dr. Tadros, M.D. will begin by making a small incision just behind the ear in the skin's natural folds, typically where the ear is connected to the head. The necessary amount of cartilage and skin is then removed to help achieve the desired structure and overall appearance. There are cases where the cartilage may need to be trimmed and formed into a more desirable shape. Then, the cartilage is pinned back permanently with sutures to secure it in place.

In other cases, cartilage may not need to be removed, in which Dr. Tadros uses stitching to permanently secure the cartilage in place. Sutures will help anchor the ear after the cartilage is sculpted to the desired shape that will help hold the ears in the desired position until healing is complete.

Otoplasty (Ear Surgery)

Benefits from Otoplasty

Otoplasty, also known as ear surgery or ear pinning, is a surgical cosmetic procedure that can help improve balance, structure, and overall appearance of the ears with minimal scarring. If ears are too large or stick out prominently, they can become a source of emotional distress and greatly impact confidence and self-esteem in both children and adults.

The benefits from an Otoplasty are:

  • Enhanced self-esteem and confidence
  • Natural-looking results
  • Improved psychological and emotional state
  • Safe with little to no risks involved
  • Minimal downtime - typically one week with proper post-surgery care
  • Correct a wide range of deformities present at birth or caused by injury

Recovery from Otoplasty

After the first day of surgery, the patient will feel little to no pain. It is necessary to wear a bandage post-surgery for three days to aid in keeping the compression intact. NYC's and New Jersey best surgeon recommends that the patient wear a ski band at night for 1-2 months after surgery to avoid ear folding. The sight of discoloration and bruising is normal and is expected to clear within 10 days. An adult may return to their regular day-to-day activities after one week.

Am I a good candidate for otoplasty?

Surgical reshaping of the ears is beneficial when certain ear abnormalities or deformities are present, including:

  • Ears that protrude from the earlobe
  • Underdeveloped, small, or absent pinna
  • Ears that are deformed due to injuries
  • Stretched or torn earlobes due to wearing jewelry or piercing
  • An ear that starts at a higher point than the other
  • Oversized ears that project out above normal

Before deciding to have ear surgery, you should be in good physical health and have realistic expectations about the possible outcomes. Dr. Tadros, M.D. will evaluate your candidacy for the treatment and provide appropriate preoperative counseling during your in-person consultation.

How much does otoplasty cost?

Otoplasty, performed at our state-of-the-art surgical facilities located in New Jersey and NYC, can provide permanent results for patients of almost any age. The final cost of your ear surgery is based on a variety of factors, including:

  • Surgical complexity
  • Operating room fees
  • Anesthesia fees
  • Pos
  • t-surgical garments
  • Medical tests

The cost of prescription medicines should also be taken into consideration. Your health insurance plan will typically not cover the cosmetic surgery of ears. However, coverage may be provided if ear surgery is required for correcting a deformity or congenital anomaly.

When will I be able to return to work or school after the otoplasty?

Because otoplasty has a rather short recovery time, you can expect to resume full social activities and go back to work within a week. Complete recovery can take a few additional weeks, during which your ears may still be somewhat bruised and swollen. A supportive headband can be used to cover such postoperative issues.

When can I get my stitches removed after otoplasty?

Both absorbable and non-absorbable stitches can be used to close incisions after ear surgery. Absorbable ones don’t need to be removed and will dissolve or fall out on their own approximately two weeks after the treatment. If non-absorbable stitches are used, Dr. Tadros, M.D. will remove them within two weeks of placement.

When can I sleep on my side after otoplasty?

It’s recommended to sleep on your back with the head resting at a minimum of two pillows during your first week of recovery. This is essential to minimize the swelling both in and behind your ear. Sleeping on the side is not advisable since it can result in discomfort in your surgical site.

Will I feel any pain during otoplasty?

Pediatric otoplasty is typically performed under general anesthesia. This type of anesthesia uses inhaled medicine delivered via facemask to make the child’s body go to sleep and relax their autonomic reflexes. Both general and local anesthesia can be used for adults. If you prefer to stay awake during the treatment, Dr. Tadros, M.D will gently provide the nerve blocks to quickly make your ear numb. Hence, both anesthesia options are completely painless.

Dr. Tadros, M.D has years of experience in the surgical reshaping of the ear. She guarantees that otoplasty will improve the appearance of ears and increase self-confidence in children and adults alike. Want to learn more about otoplasty? Contact us today to schedule your no-obligation ear surgery consultation with a current leading plastic surgery specialist in NYC & NJ. You can also ask one of our patient advisors for more information about surgical treatment for abnormalities and deformities of the ear by calling NYC: (201) 408-5430 or NJ: (201) 408-5430.