Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

Offered at our convenient location in Raleigh, NC

Having beautiful, symmetrical ears is an underestimated aspect of beauty. Many attractive people are self-conscious because their ears stick out at a noticeable angle. Otoplasty offers a solution to this problem.

Having beautiful, symmetrical ears is an underestimated aspect of beauty. Many attractive people are self-conscious because their ears stick out at a noticeable angle. Otoplasty offers a solution to this problem.

At Allen Aesthetic Surgery, we offer Raleigh’s premier otoplasty procedures from our team of world-class cosmetic surgeons. For more information about what we can do for your ears, call (919) 676-5052 or visit our contact page.

About Otoplasty

Ears are an often neglected area of beauty. If you have particularly beautiful ears, it’s not guaranteed that everyone will recognize it. However, what we do notice is ears that project further from the side of the face than usual. Ears can stick out too far, one ear may not stick out as far as the other, or they may have an unusual shape. Having prominent ears can have significant negative psychological and social effects. (1) Otoplasty can help by changing the shape of your ears for a more balanced look. It will ensure that your ears go unnoticed so that your natural beauty can shine.

Otoplasty can treat your ears in various ways. It can make your ears symmetrical. It can change the position of your ears. It can also reshape your ears for a more conventional look. The most common ailment that otoplasty treats is prominent, protruding ears. They are often caused by an underdeveloped antihelical fold, an excess of cartilage, or a combination of both. Prominent ears can cause a lifetime of embarrassment and derision, but otoplasty offers an effective solution.

Ear abnormalities can be visible at birth, or they can occur as a result of traumatic injuries. Wrestlers conflicted with cauliflower ear often undergo otoplasty surgery. Otoplasty is not an entirely cosmetic procedure, either. It can be used to correct birth defects of the ear that prevent proper hearing.

Benefits of Otoplasty

This treatment can give you one less thing to worry about while simultaneously improving your aesthetic appearance. Otoplasty can treat various ear abnormalities. These include:

  • Asymmetrical Ears
  • Large, Protruding Ears
  • Small, Cramped Ears
  • Missing Cartilage

Otoplasty is an outpatient procedure that takes only a few hours to complete. If you choose to get the procedure, you will be delighted with your results. Recovery from otoplasty surgery is a process of several weeks to months, but the benefits that your new ears can provide will last a lifetime.

Who is a Candidate for Otoplasty?

The ideal candidate for otoplasty will be dissatisfied with the projection or shape of their ears. They will wonder what a life with conventional and unremarkable ears might be like. If you fit this description, otoplasty might be right for you.

Otoplasty will only be effective for patients with fully-developed ears. Therefore, they are generally done on people aged four and older. Before the age of 10, childrens’ ear cartilage is still relatively soft. This makes the techniques required to perform otoplasty slightly less involved, with a simpler healing process. Though it is still perfectly common to receive otoplasty after the cartilage has hardened. (2)

It’s important that you have realistic expectations for the results of your otoplasty. Having normal ears is a component of beauty, but it does not paint the whole picture. If you have other beauty concerns, we offer all kinds of cosmetic solutions at Allen Aesthetic Surgery.

To ensure a safe procedure and an optimal recovery, you should be in relatively good health. You cannot receive otoplasty treatment if you have an untreated ear infection.

Personal Consultation

At your personal consultation, we will provide you with everything you need to know about our otoplasty procedure.

We will assess your medical history and your current health to see if cosmetic surgery is right for you. We will examine your ears and talk with you about your aesthetic goals. From there we will design a personalized treatment plan to best address the issues you have with your ears.

At Allen Aesthetic Surgery, we strive to provide exceptional patient care.

To schedule your personal consultation, call (919) 676-5052 or fill out this form. 

Preparation

Before your surgery, we will give you personalized instructions on how to prepare. It is important that you follow these instructions closely to ensure a safe and successful procedure.

We recommend that you avoid taking anti-inflammatory medications 24 hours before your procedure in order to reduce the risk of bleeding. You should stop smoking beforehand, as this can negatively impact your ability to heal.

Recovery

Recovery from otoplasty typically takes six to eight weeks. It is normal to feel some discomfort and itchiness in your ears while they heal.

Dr. Allen will schedule check-up appointments to see if your ears are healing properly. It is vital that you keep your dressing on until your surgeon has removed them at a check-up appointment. If you remove your dressing prematurely, you could negatively affect the correction made on your ears during surgery.

You should avoid strenuous activity and minimize the likelihood that your recovering ears will come into physical contact with anything. The new shape that Dr. Allen gives your ears will require time to settle into place before they can be safely touched.

Results

If your otoplasty treatment involves ear pinning, your results will be immediately visible underneath the wrapping. The general results of pinning and augmentation techniques will be apparent once your wrapping has been removed. There will be some swelling, though this will fade over time. The full effects of your otoplasty will be visible once swelling has gone down and your ears have fully healed, which may take several weeks.

What little scars are left from your surgery will be essentially unnoticeable, as most otoplasty incisions are made behind the ear. Once your ears sit closer to your head, you won’t have to worry about the backs of your ears being visible!

Corresponding & Complementary Procedures

At Allen Aesthetic Surgery, we offer corresponding and complementary procedures that can work alone or alongside your otoplasty in the interest of your cosmetic goals. 

Earlobe Repair

Earlobe repair is a treatment that can fix damaged earlobes, often caused by ear gauging. Accidents and injuries can also cause stretched, distended or destroyed earlobes. The outpatient procedure involves making an incision in the earlobe in order to manipulate the damaged tissue and prepare it for repair. The earlobe is then reshaped and reformed using stitches. Earlobe repair can work with otoplasty surgery to improve the overall appearance of your ear.

To see our other procedures at Allen Aesthetic Surgery, visit our blog!

Cost of Ear Surgery in Raleigh

Every otoplasty procedure plan is designed to serve the needs of the individual patient. As a result, the cost will vary according to your treatment plan. To find out how much otoplasty surgery costs in Raleigh, call (919) 676-5052 or inquire through the contact form.

FAQ

Is otoplasty suitable for children?

Otoplasty can be performed on children who are at least 5 years old and have fully developed ears. Correcting prominent ears early in life can help prevent potential psychological distress or teasing from peers. However, it is important to consult with a pediatric plastic surgeon to determine if your child is a suitable candidate for the procedure.

How is otoplasty performed in the operating room?

Otoplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure. The surgeon makes small incisions behind the ear. They add or remove the relevant tissue, and they reshape the ear according to the patient’s cosmetic goals. The patient’s ears are wrapped for safety and the recovery process begins. 

What risks are involved with the otoplasty procedure?

Otoplasty is a safe procedure that rarely has complications. Some of the complications that patients should be aware of include a risk of reaction to the anesthesia, bleeding risks, possible infection near the incision sites, and cosmetic issues related to the results. Be sure to discuss these risks with your surgeon before moving forward.

When are the results of otoplasty surgery visible?

The general impression of the alterations made to the ears are immediately visible once the protective wrapping has been removed. The precise quality of the effects will only become visible once swelling has gone down, which can take up to several weeks. 

References

  1. Nazarian R, Eshraghi AA. Otoplasty for the Protruded Ear. Seminars in Plastic Surgery. 2011;25(4):288-294. doi:https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0031-1288921 
  2. Naumann A. Otoplasty – techniques, characteristics and risks. GMS Current Topics in Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery. 2008;6:Doc04. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3199845/

Did You Know?

Many people are born with birth defects in the shape, size, or even construction of their ears. Otoplasty can also be used to correct birth defects in the ears that prevent people from hearing properly. On the other hand, many people have traumatic experiences that damage their ears, such as during competitive wrestling, that can also be addressed using ear surgery.