How Long Does Otoplasty Take to Heal?

Do you feel self-conscious about overly large ears or ears that stick out too far? Otoplasty can be a life-changing procedure for those who are unhappy with the appearance of their ears. At Specialty Aesthetic Surgery, we provide the care and attention you need to achieve a look you can feel confident in, improving your self-confidence and overall quality of life.

What is Otoplasty?

Otoplasty, also known as ear surgery, is a cosmetic procedure designed to reshape and reposition the ears. This surgical procedure can improve the appearance of ears that are misshapen, protruding, or asymmetrical. Sometimes called ear pinning, otoplasty is frequently used to bring the ears closer to the head, which can greatly improve a patient’s facial profile.

Otoplasty is a popular choice for both children and adults who are self-conscious about their ears and wish to enhance their appearance. The recovery time is relatively short, and the results can be permanent and natural-looking with an experienced surgeon. At Specialty Aesthetic Surgery, we customize ear surgeries to the patient’s unique facial structure and aesthetic goals, giving you or your child an optimal outcome.

How Does an Otoplasty Procedure Work?

The otoplasty procedure typically involves making a small incision behind the ear and removing or repositioning cartilage. Your surgeon will then reshape the cartilage and reposition the ear to achieve the ideal appearance. The incision is then closed with stitches, and a dressing is applied.

Otoplasty is a simple procedure that typically takes around two hours to complete and is performed under anesthesia. You’ll be able to go home the same day with the help of a friend or family member.

How Long is Otoplasty Recovery?

Recovery time for otoplasty can vary from person to person, depending on the extent of the procedure performed. Healing is a little different for everyone, but you can expect to take approximately a week off of school or work to recover. Full recovery from otoplasty takes several weeks.

What to Expect During Otoplasty Recovery

Immediately after the procedure, patients will experience some swelling and bruising around the ears. Some discomfort can also be expected, but this will be manageable with prescribed pain medication for the first few days. You can use over-the-counter medication such as Tylenol after that, and we’ll instruct you on using ice packs and creams to reduce swelling.

You’ll be able to take a shower 48 hours after the procedure. You will also need to wear a dressing around your ears for the first week following the surgery to aid in healing and protect the ears, and we may recommend wearing a headband for a couple of weeks after this. Try to avoid high collars or other clothing that could rub against your ears.

Most patients can return to normal activities after two weeks, including light exercise. However, more strenuous activities such as contact sports should be avoided for at least four to six weeks to prevent injury to the ears.

Results of Otoplasty

Many patients immediately notice changes in their ears, and these will improve as swelling fades. The final results of the otoplasty procedure may not be visible for several months as the ears continue to heal and settle into their new position.

Otoplasty offers lifelong results that can provide a significant improvement in the appearance of the ears. Patients can expect their ears to look more symmetrical and in proportion to their face, with a natural-looking shape.

In addition to the aesthetic benefits, otoplasty can also have psychological benefits, particularly for children who may experience teasing or bullying due to the appearance of their ears. Otoplasty has an extremely high satisfaction rate, helping patients improve their self-esteem and confidence so they can lead a happier and more fulfilling life.

Am I a Good Candidate for Ear Surgery?

If you are self-conscious about the appearance of your ears and are in good physical health, you may be a candidate for otoplasty. This procedure is common for younger patients, and children as young as five years old can undergo otoplasty as long as their ears have reached their full size, which typically occurs around this age.

Otoplasty can be an effective solution for:

Overly large ears
Misshapen ears or earlobes
Ears that protrude or stick out too far
Ears misshapen because of injury (such as cauliflower ears)

During your consultation with one of our expert plastic surgeons, we will discuss your goals and examine your ears to determine if otoplasty is the best option for you.

Take the Next Step – Request a Consultation

Want to learn more about facelifts? Schedule your consultation online or by calling Specialty Aesthetic Surgery at (212) 737-8700. We look forward to working with you!

Specialty Aesthetic Surgery serves the greater NYC metro area.

About Our Surgeons

Bruce Moskowitz is an experienced oculoplastic surgeon. His practice encompasses all areas of oculoplastic cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. He has a well-known reputation for revision surgery, and a large portion of his practice comes from other colleagues to revise sub-optimal outcomes.

Grigoriy Mashkevich is an experienced and double-board certified facial plastic surgeon. He belongs to a highly select group of surgeons with a focused specialization in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the nose, face, and neck.

Dr. Anna Frants is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon who is experienced in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. Her areas of surgical specialty include the face, neck, nose, eyelids, eyebrows, and ears.

*Individual results may vary.