• Otoplasty
• Ideal Ear Contouring Candidates
• Your Personal Consultation
• Ear Contouring Procedure
• Recovery
• Ear Contouring Results

Otoplasty can improve the shape or positioning of your ears. It also can reduce the size of your ears if they are large in proportion to your other features. If your ears protrude more than normal, surgery can reposition them closer to your head.

Ear surgery often is recommended for children as they near total ear development at age 5 or 6. Correction of the ears prior to the child entering school helps to eliminate potential psychological trauma from the teasing of classmates. Adolescents and adults may also have their ears reshaped. As long as you are in good health, there is no upper age limit for the surgery.

• Large, protruding ears that detract from your overall appearance
• Asymmetrical ears
• Ears with congenital or acquired irregularities
• Psychological trauma sustained from constant teasing

A personal consultation is the first step. Dr. Pearl will assess your physical and emotional health and discuss your specific cosmetic goals for surgery.

You should arrive at the consultation prepared to provide complete information about:

• Previous surgeries
• Past and present medical conditions
• Treatments you have received
• Medications that you are taking, including nutritional supplements and herbal remedies

The supporting tissue of the ears, called cartilage, is reshaped in order to position your ears closer to your head. Many ears protrude and have a flattened appearance inside the rim of the ear. This usually is accomplished through incisions placed behind your ears. Subsequent scars will be concealed in the natural skin crease.

When surgery is completed, a large soft dressing resembling a soft helmet without the top is placed and left in position for 3-5 days. A tennis headband or elastic bandage is worn at night for several weeks after the dressing is removed. Your ears may feel 'numb' after surgery. This will improve over several months. It is unusual to require pain medication for more than several days.

Avoid straining, bending, contact sports and lifting during the early postoperative period. You may resume most of your normal activities within ten days or less.

Our patients have been very pleased with their 'new ears!' Although the healing may take some time, you can expect the end results to be worth the wait. Results are long lasting and usually exhibit significant improvement allowing patients to wear any hairstyle and go swimming (without a bathing cap!) with confidence. I have seen beautiful results in patients 60 years old as well as in kindergartners and high school students!

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