Otoplasty Cosmetic Ear Surgery in Culver City, CA

What Is an Otoplasty?

Otoplasty surgery is plastic surgery for your ears. It’s sometimes called ear-pinning. If your ears stick out much farther than normal, cosmetic ear surgery may be for you. If you have misshapen ears or your ears aren’t proportionate to the size of your head, cosmetic ear surgery could be for you.

Otoplasty surgery can not only repair the ears you were born with, but fix ears damaged by an injury. Otoplasty surgery can correct ears that are uneven or out of balance. Surgeons usually perform an otoplasty on both ears. Where appropriate, you may have surgery on only one ear.

How Does Cosmetic Ear Surgery Work?

How otoplasty surgery works depends on what you’re trying to achieve. If your goal is to correct ears that are sticking out too far, your surgeon will place an incision behind your ear. They will then remove cartridge and reshape your ear so it will position closer to your head. Sutures hold the ear in position while you’re healing.

When your goal is to repair misshapen ears or change your ear size, it may be necessary for your surgery to place incisions on the front of the ear. Once open, the surgeon manipulates your ear cartridge to achieve your desired result. Surgeons make incisions into the natural folds of the ear to hide any scarring.

Who Is a Suitable Candidate for Otoplasty Surgery?

If you have fully grown ears, cosmetic ear surgery may be for you when you suffer from any of the following issues:

• Your ears stick out too far from your head
• Your ears are too large
• Your ears aren’t symmetrical because of different sizes or shapes
• Your ears have an unusual shape because of deformities in your ear lobes or natural folds

Cosmetic ear surgery can solve most unsightly ear problems for people with fully grown ears. Ears are unusual in that they’re usually fully grown in five-year-old children. If your child is being picked on because of unusual ears, having otoplasty surgery early in life could prevent psychological trauma that lasts into adulthood.

Results You Can Expect From Cosmetic Ear Surgery

Unlike other types of plastic surgery where you may have to wait months to see your full results, cosmetic ear surgery may provide instant results — especially where ear-pinning is your goal. Once the bandages come off, the results are apparent. More complex ear re-shapings may take longer to see the results.

How To Prepare for Cosmetic Ear Surgery

Cosmetic ear surgery occurs in three steps: your free consultation, preparation between the consultation and the day of surgery, and the actual surgery. We discuss a fourth step in the next section — recovery.

Your Free Consultation

The first step for cosmetic ear surgery is your consultation with Dr. Partovi. At this appointment, he will go over your medical history with you. He will then examine you before discussing realistic expectations with you.

He’ll ask questions about any medical conditions you have or have had. He will ask about any ear infections. This is important since infection is a common risk with any surgery. If you have a history of prior ear infections, it could impact the type of antibiotic prescribed during recovery. Dr. Partovi will also want to know about any prescription or over-the-counter medications you take, as well as any prior surgeries.

During the physical examination, the doctor will give special attention to your ears. This is necessary, so Dr. Partovi will know exactly what can be done. He’ll explain what he sees when discussing your goals with you.

Before Surgery

You’ll need to avoid certain medications. These are any medications which could lead to excessive bleeding. They include aspirin, anti-inflammatory drugs, and some herbal supplements.

You should quit smoking, vaping, or nicotine treatments before the surgery and at least through recovery. Nicotine causes reduced blood flow to the skin. This can have a negative effect on any plastic surgery.

Your Surgery

With cosmetic ear surgery, you may have the choice of a local anesthetic. Whether this is an option will depend on the perceived complexity of your surgery. We perform most ear surgeries under general anesthesia or heavy sedation. In these cases, you must follow the common rules: no food or drink for a set number of hours before surgery and you must have someone else to drive you.

We will perform the procedure in a surgery center or hospital. It’s done on an outpatient basis.

Recovery after an Otoplasty

You’ll feel some discomfort after surgery. The doctor will prescribe pain medication if appropriate.

You must sleep on your back after surgery because you can’t put pressure on your ears. It’s a good idea to wear a headband to cover your ears while in bed for the first few weeks.

It’s also a good practice to wear only button-down shirts for a few weeks. This prevents the pressure on the ears when you pull a shirt over your head. If you need an undershirt, make sure it has a very loose-fitting collar.

Visit True Jewel in Culver City, CA for your free consultation!

If you’re looking to change the shape of your ear or for someone you love, look no further and contact the True Jewel Cosmetic Center today. We are your Culver City, CA plastic surgery experts. Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Partovi, will be happy to provide a free initial consultation for you. Now is the time to take that first step.