Your ears are an important part of your appearance. If you are unsatisfied with their shape, proportion size, or how much they protrude, you may want to think about an otoplasty. An otoplasty, commonly known as ear surgery, is a type of cosmetic surgery that reshapes and corrects ear structure and positioning. At Pacific Sound Plastic Surgery, we’re thrilled to offer ear surgery for patients in the Bellevue area, helping them to feel comfortable in their own skin and correct any defects that may be hindering their self-confidence.
If you are in good health and would like to change the shape, proportion, or positioning of your ears, you are considered a good candidate for ear surgery. An otoplasty is also recommended for anyone born with cup ear or who has experienced previous trauma to the ear area, leaving them with deformities or aesthetic concerns. Many patients come to our highly-rated board-certified Plastic Surgeon, Dr. Kris Day, because he is specifically trained in reconstructive and aesthetic facial surgery, including in the ear region.
Most often, patients who choose to undergo ear surgery here at Pacific Sound Plastic Surgery want to address the following:
There are several benefits to going through ear surgery. Ear surgery can help improve your confidence in your physical appearance if you’re currently unhappy with the shape, proportion, or positioning of your ears. It can also help to correct deformities one is born with, such as cup ear, or disfigurements from an accident or injury.
If you decide to go ahead with the procedure and use nicotine, Dr. Day will ask you to stop a minimum of six weeks prior to the surgery and four weeks following it. He will also give you a list of medications you need to take as well as avoid prior to surgery. You should arrange in advance for someone to drop you off and pick you up from your ear surgery, as you will not be able to drive yourself.
Our board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Kris Day, is specifically trained in the complex and fine anatomy of the face, including the ears. He has operated on countless men, women, and children, helping to fix everything from aesthetic concerns to severe birth deformities. For ear surgery, Dr. Day utilizes a wide range of proven techniques and approaches that provide the best results for clients. He is able to use these techniques to expertly seal his patient’s incisions into the contours of the ears, ensuring that they are seemingly invisible to the naked eye.
On the day of your otoplasty in Bellevue, you will be put under general anesthesia by one of our board-certified anesthesiologists. While the specifics of otoplasty depend on your individual cosmetic goals decided upon during your consultation, your ear surgery will take approximately 2 hours and is considered an outpatient procedure. A special compression wrap dressing that provides compression to the ear will be applied that should be worn until follow-up a few days later.
After your ear surgery, Dr. Day will bandage your ears to ensure their protection from fluid pockets. You’ll be asked to keep these bandages in place for a few days following surgery. Dr. Day and his team will provide you with detailed recovery instructions and schedule follow-up appointments in our Bellevue office in order to track the healing process. You’ll likely need to take at least 3-5 days off work and avoid strenuous activities and exercise for up to two weeks.
Even though you might experience some minor swelling, bruising, and discomfort, there is often not a lot of pain. Dr. Day may prescribe you some over the counter pain medication as well as provide you with a protective headband to wear at night. We also recommend that you keep your head elevated and avoid laying on your ears to minimize any discomfort or disruption to the healing process.
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An otoplasty typically involves a surgeon making an incision behind the ear within the ear crease to either remove or reshape the ear cartilage. Sometimes, an incision is made within the folding contours of the ear to weaken the cartilage so that it can bend into its best shape. Your surgeon will then reorganize the existing cartilage. Lastly, permanent sutures are used to place and hold the ears in their new position.
There are several potential risks/ side effects of undergoing an otoplasty. This includes adverse reactions to anesthesia, asymmetry or other deformity, temporary loss of sensation, bleeding, swelling, bruising, pain, discomfort, infections, and hematomas. Rest assured that Dr. Kris Day has ample experience performing this procedure and does everything he can to minimize all risks.
Luckily, pain levels associated with ear surgery are fairly low. While you might have mild to moderate discomfort following your otoplasty, you can experience some relief with pain medications, a cold compress, and by wearing a special headband. We recommend taking it easy and avoiding taxing activities like work, exercise, or heavy lifting.
Yes, in most cases otoplasty includes “ear pinning” which some patients use to refer to internal stitching that increases the fold of the upper ear cartilage. Other techniques may involve the removal of cartilage, weakening one side of the cartilage to allow it to fold better, or positioning the ear closer to the side of the head with stitches. Depending on your cosmetic goals and what you want your ears to look like, ear pinning may be a part of your otoplasty here at Pacific Sound Plastic Surgery in Bellevue.
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