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Ear Surgery
Some men, women, and children feel that their ears are too large in proportion to other facial features. Others may wish to combat overlarge, stretched, or elongated earlobes. Alternatively, patients might feel their ears protrude more than normal and experience self-consciousness about their appearance.
Many of these patients are suited for ear surgery. Our Orange County plastic surgeon – Daniel C. Mills, MD, FACS – is proficient in otoplasty, which was designed to create a more proportionate ear aesthetic. In the hands of a qualified plastic surgeon, otoplasty can be safe and effective for children as well as adults.
We look forward to meeting you and/or your child for a consultation to discuss your needs and develop a tailored surgical plan. It is our philosophy to provide the best service possible, so please let us know how we can best serve you!
Quick Facts About Otoplasty Procedures
- Sedation: Local anesthesia or light general anesthesia
- Procedure Length: Approximately 90 minutes – 2 hours
- Potential Benefits: More proportionate, smaller, or otherwise more aesthetically pleasing ears; reduction of unwanted physical abnormalities (e.g. elongated or stretched ears)
- Recovery: Work/school can usually be resumed within five to seven days; more strenuous activities should be avoided for about a month
- Cost: Varies upon specifics of procedure
- What Is Otoplasty?
- Ear Surgery Benefits
- Ear Surgery Candidates
- Ear Surgery Procedure
- Ear Surgery Recovery
- Ear Surgery Side Effects
- Ear Surgery Results
- Ear Surgery Cost
- Additional Ear Surgery FAQs
What Is Otoplasty?
Otoplasty (commonly referred to as “ear surgery”) is a facial plastic surgery procedure designed to improve the shape, position, and/or proportion of the ears. This surgery can also correct deformities present from birth or resulting from injury. Otoplasty aims to create a natural ear shape to bring balance and proportion to the ears and face.*
What Are the Benefits of Ear Surgery?
When performed by an experienced, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon like Dr. Mills, otoplasty can provide benefits such as:
- A more balanced and harmonious facial appearance
- Improved shape, position, and/or proportion of the ears
- Correction of congenital deformities or those caused by injury (e.g. elongated or stretched earlobes)
- Long-lasting if not permanent results
No matter your (or your child’s) age, Dr. Mills can use advanced otoplasty strategies to improve both self-image and confidence.
Who Is a Candidate for Ear Surgery?
In general, those eligible for ear surgery wish to change the appearance of their ears. During your consultation, Dr. Mills will want to hear your (and your child’s, if applicable) goals and expectations to best develop a surgical game plan.
As mentioned above, candidates can include both children and adults. With this in mind, Dr. Mills recommends that parents communicate with their child thoroughly before moving forward with the procedure. He does not recommend a parent insisting on the surgery; rather, it should be the child who wants the change. In our experience, children who actually want ear surgery themselves (as opposed to being pressured by a parent) are generally more cooperative during the process and happier with the outcome.
Several weeks prior to surgery, you (and your child, if applicable) will meet with our preoperative patient coordinator. She will review all of the preoperative instructions and make sure that you complete all the necessary lab tests and health screenings based on your personal medical history and surgical plan. Additionally, there are certain medications, herbs, and potions that we will ask you to cease taking for two weeks prior to surgery and two weeks post-surgery. This appointment will also be a time for you to ask any final questions so that you are ready for the procedure.
What Does the Ear Surgery Procedure Entail?
On the day of surgery, you (or your child) will need a responsible adult to accompany you to and from our surgery center. This individual will need to be available by phone, so that they are ready upon your discharge. Additionally, someone will need to stay with you for your first 24 hours following surgery.
Upon admission to our facility, a registered nurse will spend about an hour preparing you for surgery. You should expect to spend about 90 minutes to two hours for preoperative admission, surgical time, and post-surgical recovery. (Complicated cases may require additional time.)
To perform otoplasty, Dr. Mills makes an incision behind the ear and sculpts the cartilage, bending and shaping it back toward the head. He uses non-removable sutures to maintain the new shape. Occasionally, a piece of cartilage will be removed if the conchal bowl is too big or deep. Even when only one ear appears to protrude, Dr. Mills will likely perform surgery on both to achieve the best symmetry possible. In most cases, ear surgery will leave a faint scar in the back of the ear that should fade with time.
Your surgery will likely be performed under local anesthesia with sedation or a light general anesthesia. Dr. Mills’ team includes a nurse anesthetist, registered nurse, and surgical technician. He has been working with most of these staff members for many years and some almost since the time he started his practice. The entire team is committed to providing you or your child with superior care and ensuring that the surgery is a success.
What Is Ear Surgery Recovery Like?
Patients undergoing otoplasty typically leave with a bulky bandage wrapping over their ears and head. This dressing is placed to promote optimal molding and healing. The ears may ache or throb for a few days, but this can often be treated with medication. In most cases, patients are up and about within a few hours following their discharge.
The heavy bandage is typically removed after a day or two and replaced with a lighter head dressing, similar to a headband or tennis ‘sweatband.’ This sweatband can help support and form the cartilage during the healing process. Dr. Mills will give instructions on when to wear the headband. Also, any non-dissolvable stitches will be removed at about two weeks. It is especially important that all postoperative instructions are followed to achieve the best result possible.
Dr. Mills will give instructions about resuming activities, but typically the patient should avoid any activity that might bend the ear for the first month after surgery. Most adults can return to work after about five to seven days. Children can return to school after about seven days; however, they will need to be careful on the playground and/or sports activities. We would advise you to talk to your child’s teachers so that they can be aware to keep their eye on the child’s activity level for the first few weeks postoperatively. We would be happy to provide a written medical excuse, if needed.
Are Any Side Effects Associated with Ear Surgery?
While ear surgery complications are usually infrequent and minor, potential complications can include blood clots and infection. Although a blood clot is generally a rare occurrence, it may naturally dissolve or can be drawn out with a needle. Infections, which are also considerably rare, can usually be treated with antibiotics. Additionally, as with any surgery under a general anesthesia, there is always the risk of a negative reaction.
You can expect:
- To drive after two to three days (if applicable)
- To resume normal activities after about three to seven days
- To avoid any activity that might bend the ear for the first month
- To wear a headband for two months at nighttime
- To visit our office postoperatively at one to two days, one week, two weeks, one month, three months, and six months postoperatively (we also recommend annual follow-up visits)
- To see your final results at about six months, after your skin has contracted
How Long Do the Results of Otoplasty Last?
Because the surgical adjustments made during otoplasty alter the structure of the ear cartilage, the results are generally long-lasting if not permanent. Dr. Dan Mills uses advanced techniques to create natural-looking, lasting results. During your consultation, Dr. Mills can provide more details on what to expect and offer guidance on maintaining your results long-term.*
How Much Does Ear Surgery Cost?
The cost of otoplasty can vary depending on factors such as the complexity of the procedure, the surgeon’s expertise, and the specific needs of each patient. At our practice, Dr. Dan Mills provides a personalized cost estimate during your consultation, based on your unique treatment plan and goals.
Our team at Aesthetic Plastic Surgical Institute always strives to make the financial aspect of your experience as stress-free as possible. Qualifying patients can finance their care through PatientFi™, a lending institution with low monthly plans. If you have any questions about plastic surgery financing your visit, feel free to reach out to our office.
Additional Ear Surgery FAQs
How much time will it take to heal?
Your ears will take about two months to heal. During this time, you will need to wear a headband over your ears at nighttime.
Will I be in a lot of pain after surgery?
Otoplasty is typically not a painful surgery. Most people find that their ears are numb after surgery and any pain is reduced with icing the area and taking Tylenol. Additionally, Dr. Mills will prescribe pain medication, if needed.
How long until I can work out or play sports after surgery?
You will need to wait about two weeks until you can do light workouts and a month until you can do aerobics. You should avoid any contact sports for about three months.
Will my ears return to their original position?
The reason that Dr. Mills has you wear a headband is because cartilage does tend to have a memory. The headband functions to hold the ears in place as they are healing, so that they do not protrude again.
To learn more about otoplasty or schedule your consultation, we encourage you to contact Aesthetic Plastic Surgical Institute.