What is a ear surgery (otoplasty)?

Otoplasty is a cosmetic surgery to change the appearance of a person's external ears. Otoplasty can take many forms, such as bringing the ears closer to the head (often called ear pinning), reducing the size of very big ears, or reshaping various bends in the cartilage. Other reconstructive procedures deal with the deformed, or absent (microtic) ears. Otoplasty surgery can involve a combination of moving, reshaping, adding, or removing structural ear elements.

Enhancing your appearance with ear surgery

If protruding or disfigured ears bother you or your child, you may consider plastic surgery. Ear surgery (otoplasty) can improve the shape, position or proportion of the ear. It can correct a defect in the ear structure that is present at birth, that becomes apparent with development or it can treat misshapen ears caused by injury.

Ear surgery creates a natural shape, while bringing balance and proportion to the ears and face. Correction of even minor deformities can have profound benefits to appearance and self-esteem.

Specifically ear surgery can treat:

• Overly large ears — a rare condition called macrotia
• Protruding ears occurring on one or both sides in varying degrees — not associated with hearing loss
• Adult dissatisfaction with previous ear surgery
  

What to Expect During Your Consultation

The success and safety of your otoplasty procedure depends very much on your complete candidness during your consultation. You’ll be asked a number of questions about your health, desires and lifestyle.

Be prepared to discuss:

• Why you want the surgery, your expectations and desired outcome
• Medical conditions, drug allergies and medical treatments
• Use of current medications, vitamins, herbal supplements, alcohol, tobacco and drugs
• Previous surgeries

Your surgeon may also:

• Evaluate your general health status and any pre-existing health conditions or risk factors
• Take photographs for your medical record
• Discuss your options and recommend a course of treatment
• Discuss likely outcomes of liposuction and any risks or potential complications
  

Questions to ask my plastic surgeon

Use this checklist as a guide during your consultation:

• Are you certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery?
• Are you a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons?
• Were you trained specifically in the field of plastic surgery?
• How many years of plastic surgery training have you had?
• Do you have hospital privileges to perform this procedure?
  • If so, at which hospitals?
• Is the office-based surgical facility accredited by a nationally- or state-recognized accrediting agency, or is it state-licensed or Medicare-certified?
• Am I a good candidate for this procedure?
• What will be expected of me to get the best results?
• Where and how will you perform my procedure?
• What surgical technique is recommended for me?
• How long of a recovery period can I expect, and what kind of help will I need during my recovery?
• What are the risks and complications associated with my procedure?
• How are complications handled?
• How can I expect my body to look over time?
  • After pregnancy?
• What are my options if I am dissatisfied with the cosmetic outcome of my liposuction?
• Do you have before-and-after photos I can look at for this procedure and what results are reasonable for me?