Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)

If you’re unhappy with the appearance and/or shape of your ears, you may be a good candidate for ear surgery. The overall goal of this procedure is to reshape the ears in such a way as to correct any malformities, all while making the ears more symmetrical and balanced against your facial features.

What is Ear Surgery?

Otoplasty (ear surgery) is performed in our accredited in-office surgery suite for adults and in the hospital for children under 16. This ear reshaping surgery is performed in adults of all ages and often in teenagers as they become particularly aware of their appearance. Children are also common candidates.

Ear reshaping surgery is often recommended early, which may be any time after age 5 years old when most ear growth has completed to avoid psychosocial stress (teasing) when the child enters school.

Candidates for Ear Surgery

At the initial consultation, the goals and expectations of the surgery will be discussed with you. The extent of the procedure depends on the particular problem and the appropriate technique will be reviewed. All candidates should be healthy nonsmokers with realistic expectations for this procedure.

How Does It Work?

General anesthesia is used in children while local anesthesia and sedation may be appropriate in adults. Otoplasty takes approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours, after which you or your child will remain in the recovery area until he/she is able to go home.

Results*

You should begin seeing results about a 4 to 6 weeks after surgery when most of the swelling and bruising have disappeared. Your results may subtly change over the course of a few months as minor swelling changes and disappears.

Recovery*

A bulky dressing is left in place for 5 days then removed after which a light compression garment is worn for an additional one to two weeks at home. A certain amount of swelling and bruising is expected. One week off from work or school is necessary for recovery.

Take the Next Step

If you’d like to learn more, schedule a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Scott A. Greenberg at Winter Park Plastic Surgery & Laser Center in Winter Park, FL (serving the Central Florida area). 407-644-3137

*Individual results may vary