INTRODUCTION

Ear reshaping [“otoplasty”] surgery is requested to: (1) correct protruding ears [“dumbo ears”] and bring them back closer to the head, (2) to correct an abnormal shape of the ear [“cup ear”], and (3) to reduce the size of large ears or earlobes. Ear reshaping surgery can be performed from six years of age through adulthood.

ANALYSIS

The goal of surgery is to make you happy. At your consultation we will obtain a very thorough medical history. We will want to know if you have had any previous cosmetic ear reshaping surgery. We will want to know your goals of treatment, both in terms of the kind of look you would like to achieve as well as the kind of look you would like to avoid. We will carefully examine you and make measurements as indicated. The objective of surgery is a very natural and symmetric result. Following the analysis we will present to you a comprehensive treatment strategy. We will discuss the procedure(s) recommended in detail. We will also advise you of the potential risks and complications of surgery. We will outline your recovery period and make focused suggestions to make your surgery experience safe, easy, and as pleasant as possible.

PROCEDURE

The surgery takes between 1 to 2 hours to perform depending on if one ear or both ears are being corrected. In adults, the surgery can be done wither under local anesthesia with sedation or with you totally asleep [you would be totally asleep in order to minimize your anxiety and to maximize comfort]. For obvious reasons, all Ear Reshaping surgery on children will be done with them totally asleep. In most cases all incisions are made in the crease behind the ear; thus there are no visible external scars. A gauze dressing is usually applied and kept in place for one week.

AFTERCARE

Recovery from Nasal Surgery is a “process” and will depend largely on the kind of surgery performed, your motivation for success, and your dedication in precisely following our written after-surgery instructions. Discomfort is minimal. Your “down time” will be about 1 week.