Costs
Costs for this procedure vary, depending on the doctor,
the location, and the difficulty of the specific case.
Please call our offices at 310.575.1500 for an exact
quote. Our prices are very competetive and you can be
sure that you're getting the very best surgeon in Dr.
Cheski.
The Procedure
Otoplasty ear surgery is a procedure to correct ears
that stick out too far from the head, by "setting them
back" or "pinning them back". It can be performed on
people with prominent ears of any age, and is often
performed on young adults or even children. The skill
of the surgeon, the patient's realistic expectation
of the outcome of the surgery and the emotional state
of the patient are important considerations.
How is the ear surgery done?
Surgery generally involves reforming the cartilages
that shape the ear to pull them in and reduce the protrusion.
Sutures are placed in the cartilage on the back side
of the ear to maintain the new position. Incisions and
the resulting scars are well concealed on the back of
the ear, so that there is no visible scarring.
How long does surgery take?
Surgery generally requires approximately one hour
per ear.
Does it hurt?
Fortunately, the ears are not too sensitive, and pain
after the surgery is usually quite minimal. During the
surgery, of course, the ear would be numb, and it would
not hurt at all.
Do I have to stay in the hospital?
This surgery can usually be performed as an outpatient,
and you can go home immediately after the operation.
Is it safe?
All surgery has some potential risks, including the
risks of bleeding, allergy to the anesthetic, and infection.
In this surgery, serious complications are quite rare.
Other Risks/Complications
All surgery has the risks of scarring, bleeding, and
infection. The health risks from these are relatively
minor in this surgery, but special care must be taken
because infection or collection of blood under the skin
can deform the ear cartilages and cause "cauliflower
ear".
Do I need to be put to sleep for the surgery?
It is not necessary to go to sleep for this operation,
it can be performed under local anesthetic, like going
to the dentist. If you are nervous, or if your condition
is more severe, you may choose to have general anesthesia
or profound sedation if you and your doctor feel that
this would be best for you.
How long do
the results last?
The results should last forever, although there is
always some “springing back” of the ears
due to the elastic recoil of the ear cartilage.
Is there much scarring?
The scarring from this operation is usually quite
minor and well hidden. If you are prone to bad scarring,
however, such as keloids, then you should discuss this
with your doctor.
How long until I can go back to work?
Most doctors like to have the patient wear a headband
for a few weeks after surgery in order to protect the
surgical repair. If you can wear this at work, then
you can probably return to work quickly, but you will
need to discuss this further with your doctor.
How long before I can resume normal activities?
Most normal activities can be resumed within a few
weeks, but you will need to be very cautious about protecting
your ears for at least 6 weeks, or possibly even longer.
What benefit could I expect from the surgery?
If you are self-conscious about your ears, and always
keep them covered with your hair, then this surgery
can open up many new possilbilities for changing your
image. As with most cosmetic surgery, the benefit you
derive will depend upon the change in attitude that
you will have about yourself as a result of the surgery.
What are the alternatives?
The altenatives include wearing a headband or camouflaging
the ears with long hair. Another choice is to accept
the ears with their protruding shape, realizing that
in many cultures, prominent ears are not considered
unattractive.
Special Instructions
As mentioned above, it is very important to make sure
that there is no infection or bleeding in the ear after
the surgery. You must therefore be very careful to protect
the ears and keep them clean. In addition, bending the
ears forward in the first few months after the surgery
can destroy even the finest surgical result, so be very
careful to follow all of your doctors instructions to
the letter.
This information
is only intended as an introduction to this procedure
and should not be used to determine whether you will
have the procedure performed.
Call 310.575.1500 today and speak to one of
our knowledgeable surgical consultants and schedule
an appointment for a free consultation.
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