Ear Surgery
Conveniently located to serve the areas of New York, NY
If you have protruding, prominent ears, drooping, split earlobes, or otherwise unattractive ears, you may be used to hiding them behind your hair or under a hat. The main goal of otoplasty also referred to as cosmetic ear surgery, is to help you improve the appearance of the ears.
Procedure
People who are self-conscious about the size, position, or shape of their ears can benefit from this surgical correction, which can also increase their confidence. Ear surgery is preferably performed on children once their ears reach full size (typically at the age of six). This prevents ridiculing in school by other children and enhances self-confidence and self-esteem at a very sensitive time in development. There is no reason why you should have to hide forever or be self-conscious every time you are caught with your hair undone or worry in every situation where your ears may show.
At Park Plaza Plastic Surgery Center in Manhattan, New York, we are determined to provide you with a secure, encouraging, and compassionate environment. Here you can learn everything there is to know about this surgical procedure from experts, schedule the procedure, and finally, stop feeling insecure about your ears.
Contents
Before and After Photos
Cosmetic Ear Surgery Procedures
Cosmetic ear procedures at Park Plaza Center include:
- Otoplasty Surgery (Ear Surgery)
- Earlobe Repair Surgery
Otoplasty Surgery
Patients may seek ear surgery in order to make their ears appear less prominent. During this procedure, our plastic surgeon corrects the size, ear shape, or placement of the outer ear. This procedure can be performed at any age after the ears have reached their full growth. This procedure does not affect hearing function as it only makes cosmetic changes.
Split Earlobe Surgery
Trauma and wearing heavy earnings are the most common causes of split earlobe.
Earlobe repair surgery is done to repair earlobes that have been torn, stretched, or suffered other damage. By closing the split and regaining the earlobe’s natural form and appearance, they can be fixed through earlobe surgery. Regardless of the underlying cause, this procedure can help boost confidence by enhancing the earlobe’s appearance.
This procedure is very common and performed very quickly as well. You can safely re-pierce your ears three to six months after the split earlobe repair procedure.
Main Goals
Ear surgery is used to correct any aspect of an ear’s appearance that may make a person self-conscious. This can include congenital ear deformities or damage to the ear as a result of accidents.
Aspects of the ear’s appearance that can be addressed include:
- Lop ears
- Protruding ears
- Split earlobe
- Completely or partially missing ears
- Lack of an opening in the ear
As a general rule, these surgeries do not impact your hearing. The main goal is to correct the appearance of the ear and therefore increase self-confidence and emotional well-being.
Ideal Candidates For Otoplasty Surgery
Healthy patients with reasonable expectations who are upset by the appearance of their ears—whether they have very large, protruding ears or their ears are misshapen as a result of trauma— are typically the best candidates for an otoplasty procedure.
Can Children Undergo Otoplasty?
Ear surgery is the only cosmetic plastic surgery that is commonly performed on children. It can safely be performed on children because the ears are the first part of the body to reach full size, normally by age 6.
Full Procedure
Depending on the needs of the individual patient the precise steps in an otoplasty procedure can alter. It is important for patients to entirely discuss their expectations and any potential risks or complications with their plastic surgeon before undergoing the procedure.
The general process of an otoplasty consists of a few crucial steps:
Consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon
The initial step consists of a consultation with a plastic surgeon during which the patient’s goals and expectations are discussed, the surgeon evaluates the patient’s ear structure and determines the extent of the correction required.
Anesthesia
Depending on the patient’s preferences and the extent of the procedure, otoplasty is typically carried out under local anesthesia, on an outpatient basis. For children, who cannot sit still for the procedure, sedation may be recommended.
Incision
Hidden incisions are made behind the ear.
Reshaping of Ear Cartilage
The cartilage of the ear is reshaped to reduce the prominence of the ear, and access to it is made possible by the incision. Permanent stitches may be used to hold the ear in place.
Replacing a missing ear or portion of an ear requires the use of shaped donor tissue.
Closing the Incision
In the end the incision is closed and bulky ear dressing is applied to prevent bleeding and protect the ear.
Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) Recovery
The duration of the healing process varies significantly between individuals. On a positive note – ear surgery does not normally result in significant discomfort during recovery.
A firm head dressing is worn for about five days, and protective garments are worn while sleeping for up to two weeks after surgery.
During your recovery period, it is best to restrict strenuous activities for about a week.
Most patients are able to return to work approximately five days following cosmetic ear surgery. Children can return to school after about seven days, but they should continue to restrict from strenuous activities for several weeks (up to three weeks) after surgery.
Once healing is complete, the final results should be visible. Results are permanent.
Potential Ear Surgery Complications
There are a few serious complications associated with ear surgery (otoplasty).
However, as with any surgery, there are some risks, including:
- Infection
- Less desirable cosmetic results
- Loosening of sutures or damage to an unhealed ear
Closely following our postoperative instructions will significantly reduce the risk of these complications. Make sure to closely monitor children after surgery to ensure they also follow instructions.
Consultation
If you have decided to go for this procedure – the first step is to schedule a consultation with a plastic surgeon with specialized training and expertise in ear surgery. During the initial consultation, our doctor will:
- request you to complete a form about your health history;
- evaluate the structure of your ears, define the main problem, and ask you about your goals and expectations for the procedure;
- talk to you about possible complications and risks involved with ear surgery;
- respond to your concerns and needs;
- demonstrate to you the before and after photos of our patients who have had a similar procedure, to help you get a better understanding of the results you can expect.
Overall, a consultation with a plastic surgeon is an important first step in the otoplasty process. It allows you to get all the information you need to make an informed decision about whether the procedure is right for you.
Schedule a FREE Consultation
In conclusion, otoplasty surgery can change a person’s life in many ways! Not only you will gain better ear structure and appearance, but the confidence to show up as well. With the assistance of Dr. George Lefkovits, an experienced, double board certified plastic surgeon, ear surgery is done successfully, and recovering period is smooth.
If you are located in New York City, we invite you to schedule a consultation with us at our Manhattan plastic surgery center office. Our team of specialists is committed to offering individualized and efficient care. To get in touch with us and schedule your FREE otoplasty surgery consultation, call us at (212) 750-9494.
