Ears that stick out can often be the cause of teasing and ridicule during childhood, but feeling insecure about or displeased with the appearance of one’s ears is not unique to children. At the Institute of Aesthetic Surgery in Celebration, FL, we offer ear surgery to clients young and old who want to change how their ears look. This simple surgery can boost confidence and takes a remarkably short amount of time.
How Long Does Ear Surgery Take?
There are a number of factors affecting how long an otoplasty procedure will take, including the exact type of the procedure, the issue or issues being corrected, and whether the patient is an adult or a child. However, in general, you can expect the surgery to take between one and two hours. When this procedure is performed on adults, it is usually done under a local anesthetic, meaning that you will be able to go home the same day, though you will need to arrange for transport to take you home.
What Issues Can Ear Surgery Address?
Surgery on the ears can do more than just stop them from sticking out. Otoplasty can be used to bring ears to the same height if one is higher on the head than the other, reducing lopsidedness. It is also possible to do surgery on the ears to repair damage caused by injury to the earlobe caused by accidents or by earlobe stretching. Surgery can also correct the appearance of earlobes that are “too long” or asymmetrical in appearance. If your ear tips are folded, or your ears are unusually small, surgery can also be done to correct these issues, restoring your confidence.
What To Expect
Preparations
You can prepare for surgery by making sure that your home is ready for you to return to. After surgery, it is important for you to eat well and get lots of rest, so it is a good idea to make sure you have some ready-made healthy food at home so that you have easy access to nutrition. You may also want to wash your hair before surgery. Once your surgery is completed, you will not be able to wash your hair until the bandage is removed.
After Surgery
After surgery, large bandages will be wrapped around your head. Though this may feel strange, it is necessary to protect your ears from being bumped while they recover. Compression is provided by the bandage which holds the ears in the right place and helps them to heal after surgery. It will also keep them clean and dry, and you must be sure not to get your bandages wet. We recommend that you sleep on your back, especially for the first few days after surgery, in order to reduce pressure on your ears.
The healing timeline will vary from case to case. Most patients can expect to return to work after a few days, and children can return to school after a week. Before the return to work or school, you (or your child) will need to come back to our office to have your bandage removed. You will need to continue wearing a protective headband at night while you sleep and may wish to wear it at work as well if you work in a particularly dusty environment.
We would encourage you to do gentle exercises, such as walking or yoga, from around five days after surgery. After three weeks of healing, you should be able to do moderate exercise such as jogging or dance, and after four weeks your incisions will have healed enough that you will be allowed into the pool again. If you play any contact sport, those will have to wait until your ears are fully healed; at around eight weeks. However, if you are going to play contact sports, it would be advisable to wear protection up until the 3-month mark.
Healing and Results
When your healing is complete, your ears should look just as you hoped, whether that is more evenly placed, more discreetly tucked in beside your face, or with past damage repaired. In most cases, the signs of surgery will be almost invisible. If you have had your ears “pinned back” then the surgical incision, made behind your ear in the crease where your ear joins your skull, will not be able to be seen at all. If you have had damage to the ear repaired, then not only will your ear now be a more aesthetically pleasing shape, but you will often find that you are able to hide the signs of surgery under an earring.
Who Is Not a Suitable Candidate for Ear Surgery?
Before you undergo any sort of surgery you will meet with one of our qualified surgical staff to discuss your medical history and your aesthetic goals. This is an exceptionally safe surgery, and because it usually takes place under local anesthetic for adults, there are almost no major disqualifications. However, please be sure to mention if you are immunocompromised or if you have any sort of clotting disorder, as we may wish to take special care in such cases in order to ensure your safety and comfort.
One of the only examples of a time we may say no to ear surgery is if you are seeking treatment for your child’s ears, but your child is younger than five years old. In this case, the cartilage of their ears is still developing and is also too soft for stitches to stay in. However, it is often possible to correct the appearance of the ear non-surgically with splinting techniques, and if it is not possible, surgery can be performed when they are older.
Look and Feel Your Best
We know that everyone wants to feel confident in their appearance. To find out whether ear surgery would be a suitable treatment for you or your child, get in touch with us at the Institute of Aesthetic Surgery in Celebration, FL. We can’t wait to help you love the way you look.