If you could change one thing about your appearance, what would it be? For adults with ears that stick out or are otherwise misshapen, the ears are a common choice. If you hate your ears, come see Dr. Lewis. Otoplasty might be the solution.
What Is Otoplasty?
Otoplasty, also known as ear pinning, is a surgical procedure to correct the appearance of the ears. Otoplasty isn’t just for ear pinning, however. It can correct protruding ears, mismatched ears, misshapen ears, or large ears. This surgery is often performed on children, but can be done on adults as well. Otoplasty is highly individualized, and Dr. Lewis will work with you to determine your ideal ear.
What’s Recovery Like After Otoplasty?
The otoplasty procedure itself typically takes between 1-3 hours, depending on your anatomy and the changes you desire. You can generally return home shortly after surgery to recover. Your ears will be bandaged. Most people need 1-2 weeks to recover from otoplasty. Some swelling/bruising may be present during the third week after surgery, but you should be able to see what your new ears will look like at this point.
Avoid activities during recovery that may interfere with your healing ears, including:
- Wearing headphones
- Sleeping on your side
- Placing a phone up to the ear
- Strenuous exercise
Is Otoplasty Painful?
Your comfort throughout the surgical and recovery process is important to us. For his adult patients, Dr. Lewis typically uses local anesthetic with IV sedation, a lighter alternative to general anesthesia. You won’t feel any pain or discomfort and should feel relaxed and comfortable throughout the procedure. After surgery, Dr. Lewis will provide advice for keeping yourself comfortable as well as pain medications, if needed.
Will I Have Scarring After Otoplasty?
Otoplasty incisions and scars can often be hidden either behind the ear or in the creases and folds of the ear. Dr. Lewis will strive to ensure that your finished ears are as aesthetically pleasing as possible and to minimize or eliminate visible scarring.
Love your ears! Ask us about otoplasty.