Otoplasty, also known as cosmetic ear surgery, is a procedure that changes the size, positioning, and shape of the ear. People seek cosmetic ear surgery if their ears extend too far out, and many people get an otoplasty if the ears are misshapen due to a birth defect. When it comes to the best plastic surgeons offering an otoplasty, Dr. Peter Grossman is known across the country for his advanced medical knowledge and artistry as he sculpts the most beautiful and natural-looking ears.
Who Can Get an Otoplasty?
An otoplasty can be given to anyone so long as they are at an age where the ears have stopped growing (usually after age five through adulthood), and they are in good enough medical health to undergo surgery. When you book a consultation, Dr. Peter Grossman will examine your ears, review your medical history, and craft a surgical approach for the otoplasty. All the details will be shared with you during the consultation, you can see examples of his work in a portfolio and ask any questions you may have.
How Long Does an Octoplasty Take to Perform?
Most otoplasty surgeries performed at Grossman Medical take between two and three hours. In some cases, there may be other facial concerns a patient wants to take care of while under anesthesia in the same surgical session; a facelift, rhinoplasty, or brow lift can be performed in the same surgery, if you don’t have any medical concerns that would not make you eligible for a surgery of that length. However, most people who request multiple procedures in addition to the otoplasty can do so.
Is an Otoplasty an Outpatient Procedure?
When you have your otoplasty at Grossman Medical, you will be transferred to our peaceful recovery room and will return home the same day. Otoplasty is one of the most popular outpatient procedures we perform, and patients report back to us that it was a life-changing experience.
How Long Does It Take to Recover from an Otoplasty?
Most patients recover from an otoplasty in one to two weeks, but this time will vary from person to person. Dr. Grossman will work carefully with you to ensure the appropriate pain management with the right medications. You will also be given discharge instructions, and it’s critical to follow them. Your ears will be tender, so don’t wear any slipover sweaters, turtlenecks, or T-shirts, as these garments will graze the ears when you take them on and off or wear button-up shirts. You can wear eyeglasses and contact lenses after the bandages have been removed and avoid wearing earrings in your first week of recovery. Your ears may itch, which is a sign they are healing, but under no circumstances should you scratch them. You will want to avoid cleaning or touching your ears for the first two weeks of recovery and avoid contact sports or strenuous activities for three weeks. After the otoplasty, Dr. Grossman will give you an ETA for when you can return to work, as each person is different.
How is an Otoplasty Performed?
An otoplasty is performed by making an incision that will either be inside the folds of the ear, or on the back of the ear. Based on your ear’s current condition, Dr. Grossman will choose the best point of incision. Once the incision is made, the tissue will be manipulated, which could include removal of skin and cartilage, shaping and folding cartilage, or grafting cartilage to the ear. When you have your otoplasty consultation, Dr. Grossman can go over the details of your procedure.
Does an Otoplasty Come with Risks?
As with any surgery, an otoplasty comes with some risks. Though regarded as a very low-risk procedure, the most common risks include the following:
- Minor bleeding
- Infection
- Redness
- Puffiness
- Adverse reaction to anesthesia
- Minor pain during recovery (medication will be prescribed to control the pain)
- Scars
While the scars are small and light, they will likely be hidden behind your ears or within the creases where they won’t be noticeable.
Can an Otoplasty Come Undone?
At Grossman Medical, we have yet to have a patient whose otoplasty becomes undone. But to answer the question directly, depending on the technique that was used in surgery and the type of sutures that were placed, there is a rare possibility that a stitch can pop and therefore enable the cartilage in one’s ear to move back to its original position. Follow up appointments for checkups will catch this problem, if it were to happen, and the necessary actions will then be taken to protect the integrity of the otoplasty results.
Contact Grossman Medical for an Otoplasty Today
Now is the time to get cosmetic ear surgery to correct the position and look of your ears and transform your entire profile giving you greater self-esteem and eliminating the obstacles that may come up in your professional and romantic life due to having misshapen, awkward ears. Dr. Grossman is a top plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills and West Hills specializing in otoplasty procedures and has more than 20 years of experience performing them. Call the friendly and caring staff at Grossman Medical and discover everything there is to know about getting an otoplasty to improve the appearance of your ears.
