Facial plastic surgeon for ear surgery
A facial plastic surgeon can operate on all parts of your face, including your ears. There is a specific type of surgery to change the size, shape or position of your ears. This type of surgery is called an otoplasty. You might choose to have otoplasty if you’re bothered by how far your ears stick out from your head, or how your ears or ears misshapen due to an injury or birth defect.
Otoplasty can be done at any age after the ears have reached their full size — usually after age 5 — through adulthood. In some cases, the surgery is done as early as age 3.
Risks of otoplasty surgery
Otoplasty poses various risks, including:
- Scarring. While scars are permanent, they’ll likely be hidden behind your ears or within the creases of your ears.
- Asymmetry in-ear placement. This could occur as a result of changes during the healing process. Also, surgery might not successfully correct pre-existing asymmetry.
- Changes in skin sensation. During otoplasty, the repositioning of your ears can temporarily affect skin sensation in the area. Rarely, changes are permanent.
- Problems with stitches. Stitches used to secure the ear’s new shape might work their way to the surface of the skin and need to be removed. This can cause inflammation of the affected skin. As a result, you might need additional surgery.
- Overcorrection. Otoplasty can create unnatural contours that make ears appear to be pinned back.
Like any other type of major surgery, otoplasty poses a risk of bleeding, infection, and an adverse reaction to anesthesia.
What you can expect
Sometimes the procedure by your top facial plastic surgeon is done with sedation and local anesthesia, which numbs only part of your body. In other cases, general anesthesia — which renders you unconscious — may be given before your procedure.
During the procedure, Otoplasty techniques vary based on what kind of correction is needed. The specific technique your Charlotte facial plastic surgeon chooses will determine the location of the incisions and the resulting scars. The procedure typically takes about two hours.
After otoplasty, your ears will be covered in bandages for protection and support.
You’ll likely feel some discomfort and itching. Take pain medication as recommended by your doctor. If you take pain medication and your discomfort increases, contact your doctor immediately.
Results after surgery
After your bandages are removed, you’ll notice an immediate change in the appearance of your ears. These changes are permanent. If you’re not satisfied with your results, check with your surgeon about the possibility of revision surgery.
Top facial plastic surgery for otoplasty in Charlotte
Only Faces is your number facial plastic surgeon. Contact Dr. Sean Freeman at Only Faces, Charlotte’s most experienced rhinoplasty surgeon and top facial plastic surgeon to learn more about the otoplasty procedure and find out if this is right for you, and how to proceed.