Otoplasty may not be the first procedure that comes to mind when you think about plastic surgery, but it’s certainly one of the most transformative. It’s not especially extensive or difficult to recover from, it can be done early on in life, and, for the right person, it can make a world of difference in terms of self-confidence. For my otoplasty (ear surgery) patients here in Tucson, AZ, the simple procedure can be life-changing.
In this blog post, I’d like to discuss all the powerful things otoplasty can achieve—both physically and emotionally.
What is Otoplasty?
Otoplasty is a surgical procedure aimed at improving the appearance of the ears for both adults and children 5 years or older. Otoplasty is capable of making multiple changes to the ears, including:
- Shrinking oversized ears
- Bringing wide ears closes to the head
- Reconstructing ears that are misshapen or malformed
Ear enhancement preferences and options vary from person to person, and we can tailor the changes we make to the ears to meet each person’s needs, similar to what we do for rhinoplasty. Most people choose to “pin” the ears back as part of the surgery, which helps them better harmonize with the face and head.
The Power of Otoplasty
For those who struggle with feeling insecure about their ears, it’s no secret how much of a toll this concern can take on self-esteem. Although prominent ears only affect about 5% of the general public, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the issue can have notable psychological and social effects.
An otoplasty procedure can provide a dramatic improvement around ear-related concerns. Making the ears less pronounced or correcting their shape often helps children address self-image issues and more confidently interact with those around them.
While adjusting the shape or size of the ears may seem like a small enhancement, the effects are undeniably big for the people it may help. It’s one example of plastic surgery’s powerful ability to improve self-image and help people live more confident lives.
The Otoplasty Experience
What is it like to undergo otoplasty? Your journey starts with a consultation, where we will discuss surgical technique options and review your goals. I’ll also answer any questions you may have about anesthesia, recovery, and other factors.
We can perform the procedure while you are comfortably under local anesthesia. However, we typically use general anesthesia on children so they can sleep through the whole process.
Otoplasty recovery is relatively simple, quick, and has few complications if you closely follow our recovery instructions. The healing process usually lasts about 7 to 10 days, although it may be a few weeks before you’re able to return to exercise. Once the healing period is complete, you or your child will be free to enjoy a new look and a renewed sense of confidence.
To see examples of the results you can expect, please visit our before-and-after photo gallery.
If you would like to learn more otoplasty, or ear surgery, at our Tucson, AZ, practice, please contact us online or call (520) 731-1110.
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