Some men, women and children feel that their ears are large in proportion to other facial features or protrude more than normal. Most typically, children between the ages of four and fourteen are self-conscious about their appearance and their parents bring them to a plastic surgeon to bring their ears more in proportion to the rest of facial features. Additionally, some adults wish to have a simple earlobe reduction and/or repair earlobes that have been elongated or stretched over time. No matter the age, a plastic surgeon can typically perform otoplasty or ear surgery to make an individual feel better about themselves.
With children, plastic surgeons recommend that parents are alert to their child's feelings about their ears. They do not recommend a parent insisting on the surgery, unless the child wants the change for him or herself. From a plastic surgeon's experience, children that feel self-conscious about their ears and want ear surgery are generally more cooperative during the procedure, take better care of the surgical area and are happier with the outcome.
During your consultation, your plastic surgeon will want to hear your (and your child's, if applicable) goals and expectations. Your plastic surgeon will review all possible options and develop a surgical game plan. With otoplasty, your plastic surgeon 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 concheal bowl is too big or deep. Even when only one ear appears to protrude, you plastic surgeon 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 will fade with time.
Several weeks prior to surgery, you (and your child, if applicable) will meet with your pre-operative patient coordinator. He or she will review all of the pre-operative 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 ready for surgery and have an optimal recovery time.
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