Ear Shaping in San Diego
Unbalanced ears force many adults and children to deal with unwanted social ridicule. Whether you have struggled with protruding ears all of your life or are a parent of a child with over large years, you likely understand the damage that prominent ears have to self-esteem and self-image.
Ear shaping (otoplasty) improves the size, shape, and position of the ears to fall in better balance and harmony with the surrounding facial features.
What Are the Benefits of Ear Shaping?
ReducedEar Size
Most peoples’ ears are fully developed by the age of four or five. Therefore, those with overly large ears will develop them early in life. Ear shaping surgery can reduce the size of large ears to bring them in better balance with surrounding facial features.
RepositionedEar Placement
Candidates for ear shaping commonly complain about ears that stick out too far from the head. This alters the shape of your face and frequently results in unnecessary and unflattering teasing. Otoplasty repositions and “pins” the ears closer to the head.
ReshapedEar Contours
While somre individuals are born with misshapen ears, others develop irregularities during their infant nursing years or in response to continual hat wearing. Otoplasty can reshape the ears and return symmetry to unbalanced ears.
How Is Ear Shaping Performed?
Consultation
Your consultation with Coastal Plastic Surgeons is an essential part of your or your child’s ear shaping surgery journey. During this meeting, you will discuss what to expect from the procedure and determine whether you are a candidate.
If otoplasty is being performed on a child, this consultation will allow the surgeon to explain the seriousness of the surgery and ensure that both parent and child are prepared.
Procedure
Ear shaping surgery can be performed using local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia. General anesthesia is commonly chosen for children, as this eliminates nerves and anxiety.
Incisions are made behind the ear or within the inner creases of the ear. Excess skin and cartilage are removed, which resizes and positions the ears closer to the head—making them less noticeable. Incisions are then closed and dressed.
Otoplasty often takes between one and two hours to complete.Combination Procedures
Adult otoplasty patients may consider combining their ear shaping with an additional facial rejuvenation procedure. Some procedures include:
- Facelift surgery: to address laxity on the lower two-thirds of the face
- Brow lift surgery: to address laxity on the forehead and eyebrows.
- Eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty): to address laxity on the upper and lower eyelids
Concerns
Recovery
Following your ear shaping surgery, your ears will be covered with bandages. While most otoplasty patients do not experience significant downtime, you want to make sure that you do not irritate the ears—this often means wearing loose clothing that will not cling to the ears when dressing and sleeping with your head in an upright position without pressure on the ears.It is common to experience some bruising, swelling, and itching after otoplasty. While difficult, it is essential to leave your ears alone during the healing process.
Most otoplasty patients return to work or school within one week but should avoid strenuous exercise for several weeks.
Scars
Incisions for ear shaping surgery are made behind the ear. These incisions will result in slight scars, but as they are placed in the crease behind the ear, they are barely noticeable—if at all. All residual scarring fades with time and can be covered by hair.cost
The techniques required during an ear shaping surgery vary from patient to patient. Therefore, the cost of ear shaping surgery varies as well when considering techniques, surgeon’s fees, anesthesia, facility fees, pre-surgical tests, and post-surgical dressings. You will be given an accurate cost estimate during your consultation with Coastal Plastic Surgeons once your ears are evaluated.Pain
Ear shaping surgery is performed under local or general anesthesia to ensure a painless process. Some discomfort may develop in the hours or days following your surgery, which can be alleviated with prescribed or over-the-counter pain medication. Most otoplasty patients experience minimal post-operative pain.Ear Shaping Results
View our gallery page for the procedures and treatments at Coastal Plastic Surgeons. At Coastal Plastic Surgeons, we believe in our methods and techniques for lasting results that can change your life. We offer procedures on everything from breast augmentation and body contouring, to facial aesthetics, hair restoration, and skin resurfacing. Every treatment is displayed here in our gallery.
