What Is Otoplasty?
Otoplasty, also referred to as ear pinning, is a cosmetic procedure that can reshape, resize, or reposition the ears for a more aesthetically-pleasing appearance. This treatment can restore balance and proportion to the ears and face so that patients can live a more confident life. Our double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, Dr. Emily Hrisomalos, can perform otoplasty for children, teenagers, and adults seeking to improve prominent or misshapen ears. She also offers earlobe rejuvenation and repair procedures for patients who would like to address the aesthetic effects of torn piercing sites, gauged earlobes, injury, or other tissue damage/inelasticity in these areas.
If you would like to learn more about otoplasty and earlobe rejuvenation, more information can be found below.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Otoplasty?
Individuals who are self-conscious about their ears are typically good candidates for otoplasty. This can be an optimal solution for patients who want to address the following concerns:
- Overly large ears
- Protruding ears
- Congenital ear abnormalities
- Dissatisfaction with a previous ear correction procedure
Often, the best time to have this surgery performed is during childhood, though the procedure may be performed at essentially any age. Generally, as prospective candidates get older, multiple factors come into consideration and may make them more/or less of an ideal candidate for this surgery. Individual candidacy for this procedure will depend on a number of factors that will be evaluated during the initial consultation. Dr. Hrisomalos makes sure that patients, especially children, have ear cartilage that is stable enough to undergo correction and that their overall growth is appropriate to the optimal timing of this procedure. Overall, good candidates should be in good health without medical conditions that can negatively impact healing. Patients should also have a positive outlook and realistic expectations about the results.
How Is the Otoplasty Procedure Performed?
Each otoplasty surgery is personalized with advanced techniques to deliver optimal results. After anesthesia, Dr. Hrisomalos carefully makes an incision behind the ear and within the natural folds of the ear to make them as inconspicuous as possible. In a precise and meticulous manner, she removes, reshapes, and repositions ear cartilage and skin to achieve the desired appearance. Patients who require ear pinning will have their ears repositioned closer to the sides of the head. Incisions are typically closed with traditional or removable sutures and wrapped in bandages. Post-surgical bandages and headbands should remain intact until Dr. Hrisomalos removes them or until advised to take them off. This is extremely important to support healing and protect the newly reconfigured ears.
Patients may experience temporary bruising, swelling, or numbness during the recovery process, which can typically be mitigated by taking over-the-counter pain medications. We do encourage patients to do light activities during the recovery period, like taking walks outside, to help with blood circulation. Other strenuous exercises and heavy lifting should be avoided for at least a week after surgery. Patients can typically go back to work within a few days as long as their job is not physically demanding. Under the guidance of Dr. Hrisomalos, patients can gradually return to their normal daily activities. Patients will also receive detailed post-care instructions to help the recovery period go as smoothly as possible.
What Does Earlobe Rejuvenation Entail?
Earlobe rejuvenation may entail something as minor as improving the volume of the earlobe, generally using non-surgical filler injections, or involving repair of ear piercing sites that have torn through after years of wearing earrings. Dr. Hrisomalos also often performs repair after the wearing of gauge earrings to restore normal anatomic earlobe appearance. Some of these procedures can be performed in the office; however, some are more appropriate for the operating room, and this is individualized based on each patient’s needs. A plan will be discussed at your consultation appointment that is in line with your goals and lifestyle.
If you are interested in improving your quality of life with otoplasty or ear correction surgery, please do not hesitate to contact us today. A member of our team can help answer your questions and schedule a consultation for you to meet with Dr. Hrisomalos.