Redefine the Shape of Your Ears with Otoplasty

For many men and women, their ears are a source of frustration and concern. They feel that their ears protrude to a distractive level, and hide their ears behind hair, caps, and jewelry. While most children that have protruding ears are eligible for otoplasty – a surgery that helps pin back their ears to a normal shape – and undergo the process at the ages of 5 or 6, there is a significant number of people who were not able to have the surgery performed. Perhaps these individuals are not being bullied by their peers, but they do not feel confident in the process.

For many, the idea of changing the appearance of their prominent ears is important because they feel that they are deformed. Perhaps they have a congenital deformity, such as Stahl’s ear, or perhaps one of the person’s ears is not level with the other.

It is important to note that the otoplasty process is not the same for both adults and children. The reason that children are more likely to have this plastic surgery performed by a board certified plastic surgeon is because their ears have pliable cartilage that can be easily reshaped.

Adults do not have such pliable cartilage – as a matter of fact, the otoplastic process uses cartilage excision, the reshaping of the ears, and then sutures. Before this, the plastic surgeon also weakens the cartilage around the adult ear so that the protrusion can be corrected and reset. It is important for individuals who are considering this process to talk with a plastic surgeon to see what options are available to them because of this extensive process.

The plastic surgeon will be able to explain what options are available to the candidates, depending on the shape, size and position of the ears. The doctor should also explain that the surgery is more complicated, as the ear structures are significantly less shapeable than children’s ears. There are several variations available for otoplasty, especially since there are many causes for ear protrusion. It is important to talk to a surgeon to understand why the patient’s ears are shaped and placed the way they are.

If a San Diego plastic surgeon is experienced in the otoplasty procedure, he or she will be able to show before and after pictures of happy clients that no longer have to worry about their ears. The recovery process should also be clear for the patient, and he or she should be able to have a strong understanding of what to expect after the surgery.

It is important to know that the otoplasty is not meant to correct hearing difficulties that may have taken place in the middle and inner ear because of deformities. In addition, those who are considering having their ears pinned must be healthy before the surgery and agree to maintain a healthy lifestyle as their ears are healing.

Candidates must find highly rated plastic surgeons that are not new to the process of resetting ears.  This will allow for the patient to feel confident in knowing that they not only will look better, but they will also feel better because of their look.