Otoplasty

About the Otoplasty Procedure

Otoplasty, or cosmetic ear surgery, is a plastic surgery procedure to change the appearance of a person’s ears. Otoplasty can achieve a number of different objectives, including repositioning the ears closer to the head, reducing the size of large ears, or reshaping bends in the cartilage.

How Otoplasty Is Performed

There are several reasons why ears may appear to be positioned too far from the head. A part of the ear anatomy known as the “anti-helical fold’ determines how close the ear rests to the head. In some cases, the anti-helical fold is underdeveloped, which causes the ears to stick out. In other cases, there may be an excess amount of cartilage in the area where the ear connects to the head, pushing the ear forward and outward. Facial Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Buonassisi helps people considering otoplasty by creating or enhancing the anti-helical fold. He makes a small incision behind the ear, then draws the ear closer to the head. He may also need to remove excess cartilage during the procedure. His goal is to create a lasting and natural improvement to the ear appearance. During an ear surgery procedure, Dr. Buonassisi makes an incision behind the ear to trim away excess skin and cartilage. He uses carefully placed stitches to create folds and make small adjustments to give the ear a more natural appearance. The surgical incisions are small and the scars are almost imperceptible once fully healed. The procedure itself takes about two hours to perform.

Ideal Candidates for Cosmetic Surgery

Not everyone is a candidate for cosmetic surgery. Ideal candidates for cosmetic surgery demonstrate the following characteristics:

1. Internally motivated to have cosmetic surgery
2. Have realistic expectations
3. Comprehend the potential risks and complications
4. Motivated to follow pre and post operative instructions
5. Can comfortably afford the cost of cosmetic surgery

Otoplasty Recovery

Most people describe the recovery from Otoplasty surgery to be quite easy. It is normal to experience some discoloration and swelling around the ears. You will wear a head band around the ears for the first two weeks. You can resume most normal activities except for strenuous exercise almost immediately after the procedure, but some patients are self-conscious about the surgical dressing and wait to go out in public until this is removed.

Time Off Work

• If you are self-conscious of wearing a dressing to work, you should take one week off work
• If you work in a physical environment, it is important that you don’t sustain trauma to your ears during the healing period

Back to Normal Activities

• You can resume normal activities, such as light household work and taking a gentle stroll, the day after surgery
• You can resume light fitness activities, such as jogging or yoga, two days after surgery
• You can resume vigorous fitness activities, such heavy weight training or high impact cardio, one week after surgery
• You should avoid bending over and lifting heavy objects for two weeks after surgery

Restaurant Ready

• You will typically feel “restaurant ready”, meaning that you would feel comfortable meeting up with friends – one week after surgery. It is up to you if you feel comfortable with your friends seeing your dressings or not

Risks & Complications

All surgeries have associated risks. Dr. Buonassisi will review the risks and benefits of the surgery in detail during your surgical consult. In general, complications of this surgery, while not expected, include:

• Risk of infection
• Risk of bleeding
• Risk of poor wound healing
• Risk of patient dissatisfaction with cosmetic result

What Ear Procedure Is Right for You?

While the information on this site is extensive, it is not designed the replace the skill and expertise of a board certified facial plastic surgeon. Use the information to help you explore the possibilities and educate yourself about the typical recovery period of cosmetic surgery. While this site provides general information about cosmetic surgery as it related to the average person, it cannot be used as a tool for people to decide which surgery is best for them. Only a thorough consultation with a board certified facial plastic surgeon can provide the specific information they require to make an informed decision about surgery. To find out which surgery is most appropriate for you, please Request a Consult.

Next Steps

Ready to Discuss Your Needs With Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Thomas Buonassisi? Schedule a Consult

If you are ready to book a consult, please Request a Consult. If you would like to learn more about what to expect during a surgical consult, please go here.

Not Sure You Are a Candidate? Use Our Virtual Consult Form

Not everybody is a candidate for cosmetic surgery. To save time, we have launched a Virtual Consultation tool. Upload your photos, provide some information about what you would like to change, and we will provide a complementary evaluation. Find out more about the Virtual Consultation here.