Posted November 07, 2018 in Otoplasty
Ears come in all shapes and sizes, from the tiny unseen ear holes of a finch to the vividly recognizable earflaps of an elephant. Unlike crocodiles, lizards, or birds, human beings have very visible ears, and even human ears vary greatly in size. Some people tend to be self-conscious about the size of their ears and hide them under hats or grow their hair long to conceal them. If you are dissatisfied with the size of your ears, you can downsize them with otoplasty. Otoplasty can provide a more aesthetically pleasing ear that is in better harmony with the rest of your features.
It’s All in the Family
If you have prominent ears, chances are you’ve struggled with your self-image and have tried to find ways to hide them. You have also probably suffered a lot of teasing about your ears, and if you have any children of your own, they may, unfortunately, experience the same things as prominent ears are typically genetic. While parents are usually pleased to see their own physical characteristics in their children, in this case, the response is usually more of a pained, sympathetic cringe. It is more than likely that the child will suffer the same teasing and self-image issues.
The beauty of otoplasty is that it is not only for adults. Dr. Charles Messa III can perform otoplasty on patients as young as 7 years old, the age when the cartilage is nearly adult size. Whether you or your child needs corrective surgery for prominent ears, this is a time-proven technique that provides quick and satisfying results.
Otoplasty Experience for Adults
- The procedure takes approximately 90 minutes.
- Local or general anesthesia is used.
- The incision is made behind the ear for minimal visible scarring.
- After surgery, patients wear a protective headband at night for four to six weeks.
Otoplasty Experience for Children Ages 7 and Up
- The procedure takes approximately 90 minutes.
- General anesthesia is recommended.
- The incision is made behind the ear for minimal visible scarring.
- After surgery, patients wear a protective headband around the clock for two weeks, then at night only for the next two to four weeks.
What Else Can Otoplasty Do?
Some patients may not have overly large ears, but rather they may be misshapen due to an injury or birth defect, or they could be positioned differently causing asymmetry. In such cases, the ears can either be reshaped or repositioned. If the ears are misshapen and the patient is over the age of 6, cartilage can be shaved down. When patients are younger, the cartilage in the ear is still soft enough to mold using splints.
Quick Recovery and Results
Otoplasty patients of all ages may resume full activity within two weeks. Any numbness and bruising will subside within a few weeks. It is generally recommended to wait a full six weeks after surgery to resume contact sports. Within four to six weeks of otoplasty surgery, you should feel like everything is back to normal. With Dr. Messa’s surgical expertise, your ears will be more aesthetically pleasing, and you will be able to enjoy the benefits of your improved appearance.
If either you or your child is suffering from prominent, large, or protruding ears, contact us today by calling our office at (954) 659-7760 or (877) 250-8117. For your convenience, you may also fill out our online contact form. We will set you up with an appointment with Dr. Messa to confirm whether ear surgery is right for you.