Having large ears can cause self-esteem issues. These issues stem from being teased and taunted with names like Dumbo or Mickey Mouse. At the age of five and six many children begin to notice their large ears. This becomes intimidating and embarrassing for many children but more commonly boys because girls can generally hide their ears behind their hair. The ears are normally fully grown after the age of five and many parents then are ok with otoplasty. Otoplasty most commonly known as ear surgery is cosmetic surgery to change the appearance of a person’s external ears.
In many places around the world including Beverly Hills ear surgery can be done in many forms, such as ear pinning which brings the ears closer to the head, reducing the size of the ears or reshaping various bends in the cartilage. Other otoplasty procedures are done for reconstructive purposes. Ear surgery can involve many combinations of moving, reshaping, adding or removing structural ear elements.
Leading Phoenix plastic surgeons say when going in for any cosmetic procedure the patient must have real expectations and true understanding of the procedure and only then will the patient be satisfied wit the outcome of the procedure. Otoplasty will not alter hearing ability. Parents must be confident that they have their child’s best interest at heart. Having a positive attitude toward surgery is critical in all cases but most importantly in surgery on an adolescent. Adult otoplasty patients must understand that the firmer cartilage of fully developed ears does not provide the same molding capacity as in children. In children the cartilage is easily pliable and the child will even experience psychological benefits from it, but with a child timing is critical.
A San Diego plastic surgeon will start the surgery with an incision just behind the ear, in the natural fold where the ear is joined to the head. The necessary amount of cartilage and skin will be removed to accomplish the right effect. Depending on the case the surgeon will trim the cartilage shaping it into a more desirable form and then pin the cartilage back with permanent sutures to secure the cartilage. Leading board certified plastic surgeons New York City say in some cases the surgeon will not remove any cartilage at all, using stitches to hold the cartilage permanently in place. After molding the cartilage into the necessary shape the surgeon will then apply sutures to anchor the ear until healing occurs to hold the ear in the correct position.
After surgery one can expect to have soft dressing applied to the ears for a few days. Some patients feel little pain if not discomfort. Most people sleep on their sides and this is where the discomfort comes in after otoplasty the patient’s ears will be much more comfortable with no weight on them. Ones surgeon may recommend head bands for a few weeks in order to hold the ears in the right position
