If you’re considering an otoplasty, it’s helpful to understand the surgery, and what you should expect during your recovery.
Introduction to Otoplasty
Otoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that’s used to change the size or shape of your ear. The primary purpose of it is to correct prominauris. This is a deformity that causes the ears to protrude. You may also undergo an otoplasty if you have ears that have been damaged by trauma.
Why Consider Ear Reshaping?
You may consider undergoing an otoplasty if you have ears that stick out from the side of your head, or if you have ears that are larger than average. If your ears are misshapen, or deformed, or if you have shell-shaped ears then you may benefit from undergoing an otoplasty. Other reasons include the following:
- Lop-shaped ears
- Asymmetrical ears
- Previous ear trauma
- Poor surgical outcome
- Stretched or large earlobes
The Otoplasty Procedure
Most of the time, the surgeon will suggest that young children undergo general anesthesia. Adults, however, will usually undergo a local anesthetic, along with a mild sedative. Most ear-pinning procedures can be done in under two hours. It’s common for the surgeon to use stitches to pin the ear cartilage in place, without removing any skin from the ear. Other patients may have an incision behind the ear, where the natural fold is. The surgeon may remove cartilage, remove skin, and reshape the ear, during the procedure. Permanent sutures can also be used to secure the cartilage, as this helps it to heal in a natural position.
Recovery and Aftercare
After the procedure, you will have a soft dressing applied. This will usually last for a few days, and during this time, you should expect some mild discomfort. You may find that your sleep is disrupted, as you will need to avoid putting pressure on your ear if possible. Having a headband that holds your ears in place can be a good idea, however, it’s important to talk with your doctor about this first.
In the week after your surgery, you will need to manage pain by taking pain relief. You may also experience some swelling and bruises. After around a week, you may need to have some stitches removed. It’s normal during this time for your ears to be swollen and this can make your ears seem more prominent. This is normal.
Six weeks after your surgery, you should expect to have hit most healing milestones. Avoid engaging in any kind of contact sports and make sure that you are mindful of your ears in the three months after your surgery. The main reason for this is that any form of tissue damage, such as being tackled in a football game, will set back your healing process. You may also need to have treatment revisions done, to make sure that you did not cause any lasting damage.
If the procedure is being done on your child, then after 5-10 days, the bandage will be removed. Your child may have dissolvable stitches put in, and if this is the case, they won’t have to have them removed. They will disappear on their own. After a week or two, your child will be able to return to school. Swimming is fine after a month, and at around 8 weeks, they may be able to resume contact sports, as these are generally not as rough or as physical as adult contact sports, so there’s less risk.
Expected Results of Otoplasty
If you are due to undergo an otoplasty procedure, then you may be interested to know what results you should expect. One of the things that a lot of patients report is having ears that appear more symmetrical. You may also find that your ears don’t protrude as much from the side of your head and that your earlobes appear smaller and more proportionate. An otoplasty can also provide you with a much more natural look overall, not to mention that if you have scarring from a previous surgery, this can be remedied with a new otoplasty procedure.
Although it will take some time for the swelling to go down, it’s important to remember that it’s all temporary. At first, the protrusion may seem worse, and you may also find that your ears do not look symmetrical. This is because when the body undergoes a surgical procedure, it responds with inflammation. This can make the ears look disproportionate and bruised. With each day that goes by, after the initial healing period, you should find that the results begin to appear and that there is new progress every day.
Risks and Considerations
Otoplasty, along with every other type of surgery, does come with some risks. The risks include:
- Scarring
- Adverse Reaction to Anaesthesia
- Infection
- Bleeding
If scarring concerns you, then one thing to take note of is that while scars are permanent, they are likely to be hidden behind the ear. They may also be within the crease of your ear, so they will not be visible. The risk of bleeding and infection can be managed by following your plastic surgeon’s instructions and by making sure that you are following all of the right steps when it comes to your recovery guidance. If you have had no adverse reactions to anesthesia in the past then this is an indication that you will be fine moving forward. If you have had adverse reactions in the past, then this is something that your surgeon will likely discuss with you before the surgery, so you can move forward with confidence.
Get in Touch Today
If you’d like to book in for an otoplasty, or if you would like to find out more about the procedure then we recommend you give us a call at 218-724-7363. If you would prefer to email one of our plastic surgeons, then you can do so here. When you do, we will aim to get back to you within the hour, so you will never be left waiting long for the medical advice you need.