What to Expect After Ear Surgery?

When you meet someone, do you usually notice their ears? In general, we overlook these ordinary features. However, if your ears look too large or wide, you can feel like they draw unwanted attention every time you meet someone. Otoplasty or ear surgery corrects the size and position of your ears so they lay closer to your head. While most plastic surgery is performed to highlight your features, ear surgery makes your ears as unnoticeable as possible so your other features can stand out.

What is Ear Surgery or Otoplasty?

The ears are made of cartilage, a stiff but slightly flexible connective tissue. Unlike most of your other features, your ears are fully developed in childhood. People who are bothered by large or overly noticeable ears can feel very self-conscious about them, and children may even be teased. Ear surgery uses small incisions behind the ear to reshape the cartilage so your ears lay more closely against your head. Otoplasty can be performed on children or adults.

How Does Ear Surgery Work?

Ear surgery is performed by one of our two facial plastic surgery specialists, Dr. Grigoriy Mashkevich or Dr. Anna Frants, at Specialty Aesthetic Surgery. During the procedure, your surgeon will make an inconspicuous incision behind the ear and use it to reshape the cartilage that holds the ear’s shape. Changing the shape of the cartilage “pins” the ears closer to the head, giving the procedure the name “ear pinning.”

What to Expect After Ear Surgery

Recovery from ear surgery is usually quick and uncomplicated, and the results are visible immediately. Children typically heal even more rapidly than adults, one of several reasons to consider this procedure in childhood.

Recovery

Most patients experience swelling and soreness in the area after their procedure. Prescription medications will keep you comfortable for the first few days, after which most people manage well with over-the-counter medications. You may have a protective headband to wear, especially during sleep.

Most people need five to seven days to recover so you can expect a week off from work or school. Cold compresses will help control swelling and discomfort. You will need to avoid wearing helmets, headbands, or anything that constricts the ears for six weeks after your ear surgery, so consider the timing if your child participates in an activity that requires headgear.

Results

Your ears will look different immediately after your otoplasty. However, swelling around your ears will affect their appearance for the next few weeks. Their final shape will develop as the swelling resolves. Once your cartilage has healed in place, it will stay there for a lifetime, so your ears will stay where they belong.

Am I a Candidate for Ear Surgery?

Otoplasty is a very safe procedure for adults and children. Healthy individuals who are five or older are usually good candidates. You know your child best, so we will discuss the procedure with you and determine whether you feel it is appropriate for them. Surgery may not be developmentally suitable for all children at the same age, and your surgeon must determine whether their ear structure has finished growing.

Almost anyone with large, misshapen, or wide ears can benefit from ear surgery, although you may not be a good candidate if you have certain medical conditions or are pregnant. Some people schedule this procedure for their children during a break from school or a time when they are not participating in any sports or physical activities.

What are the Benefits of Ear Surgery?

Ear surgery is a simple procedure that can transform your life by removing the attention from your ears. Whether you are considering otoplasty as an adult because you are tired of worrying about how your ears look or you want to spare your child unnecessary teasing, this procedure has definite benefits.

Make a Better First Impression

It can be difficult to make a confident first impression when part of you wonders whether the other person is looking at your ears. After otoplasty, you can stay focused on presenting your best, most self-assured self. Your child will feel free to speak up in class without feeling like everyone is looking at their ears instead of them.

Express Yourself More Freely

If your ears have controlled your hairstyle or other fashion choices, ear surgery will let you try out any style you want. Many people feel comfortable wearing their hair up instead of down over their ears for the first time after their procedure.

Long-Lasting Results

When you get ear surgery as an adult, you can enjoy the benefits for the rest of your life. When your child has the procedure, however, they enjoy a whole lifetime of benefits that carry them through those challenging years when peers can be unkind.

Take the Next Step – Request a Consultation

Want to learn more about ear surgery? 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 and board-certified 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 expertise include surgery of the face, neck, nose, eyelids, eyebrows, and ears.

*Individual results may vary