Cosmetic Procedures: Cosmetic Surgery For Ears

If you have misshapen or protruding ears or you have a child who does, otoplasty may be for you. Otoplasty is the surgery to correct abnormalities in the structure of the ears.

In a perfect world, the surgery works best on children who are aged four to 14. But adults do undergo the surgery -- it's just that by this point in your life, you've probably heard all the teasing and you probably have suffered the psychological effects. Still, it's never too late to make a change.

This surgery isn't just for protruding ears, either. Otoplasty can correct other ear conditions including:

• Abnormally large ear lobes
• Lop ear (ear tip folds down and trends forward)
• Shell ear (certain features of a normal ear are missing, such as the curve in the outer rim and other natural folds)

How It's Done

The good news is that medical advancements have made it much easier to undergo an otoplasty. Currently, there are several ways the ear can be reshaped. One involves cutting out the cartilage (the main structural component) of the ear. Another involves folding and stitching that cartilage instead of cutting it away. In the latter scenario, skin is cut away instead of cartilage.

In either case, your surgeon will begin by making a small incision at the back of your ear, allowing access to the cartilage for the necessary procedure. After the surgery is complete, the incision site will be secured with stitches.

What To Expect and How To Prepare

In your consultation, you will be able to discuss all your expectations with your surgeon. Together, you can decide which option is best for you or your child. You should plan to stay home at least one week after the surgery; for children, they should stay home from school for at least one week.

The actual surgery will last about two to three hours, depending on the complexity of the procedure for your particular case. Again, if your situation requires a more complex procedure, it may take even longer than three hours. Your surgeon will detail all of this for you.

If you are an adult, your surgeon probably will use local anesthesia with a sedative. A child will likely receive general anesthesia (be put to sleep) to ensure that he or she cannot move around during the operation.

If the patient is receiving general anesthesia, he or she cannot eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery or the morning of the surgery. The last meal the night before should be very light.

Most otoplasties are performed in the surgeon's office or in an outpatient facility.

You should be sure to wear loose fitting, comfortable clothing. Do not wear a shirt with a restrictive collar. Ideally, you should wear a button down shirt that you do not have to pull over your head. This is especially important for children, to avoid any unnecessary impact to the surgery site.

If you are an adult, the surgery will be completed within a few hours and you can go home the same day. It's a good idea to have someone with you who can drive you home and stay with you the first night. Sometimes, in the case of children, the doctor will prefer that they stay in the hospital one night. If you are undergoing a more complex procedure as an adult, you also may be required to stay in the hospital overnight.