When to Consider Cosmetic Ear Surgery

It’s well-established that kids tease and bully other kids who have unusual features, and ears tend to be a primary target. But children aren’t the only ones guilty of cruel judgment. Adults with noticeable ears can face similar taunts, and regardless of age, the remarks can affect your confidence and self-esteem.

At his plastic and cosmetic surgical practices in McLean, Virginia, and Rockville, Maryland, Frederick H. Watkins, MD, has helped thousands of patients put a stop to the hurtful teasing with cosmetic ear surgery, also known as otoplasty. 

Dr. Watkins specializes in the art and science of cosmetic procedures that enhance beauty and boost self-confidence. If your ears are a source of concern, then otoplasty may be what you need. Here’s what you need to know.

Is otoplasty right for me?

Before scheduling your otoplasty, Dr. Watkins will spend considerable time getting to know you, your medical history, and your ideal vision for your ears. This initial consultation will be critical to the process and will determine whether you’re physically and psychologically a good candidate for otoplasty. There are many variables that can affect the decision to move forward with ear surgery.

Children must be at least age 5, have enough ear cartilage for the procedure and be able to cooperate and communicate with Dr. Watkins about the procedure. 

Teens and adults should be generally healthy, nonsmokers, and have realistic expectations. While otoplasty can certainly boost your confidence, it won’t fundamentally change your life, so be honest with Dr. Watkins about what you want and expect from your procedure.

Who should consider ear surgery?

Unless your ears are causing a medical problem or are interfering with your hearing, otoplasty is considered a cosmetic procedure, and it’s not for everyone. Many people choose to keep the ears they were born with because the feature doesn’t bother them or they don’t want to undergo surgery.

But about 23,000 Americans a year opt to change their ears through otoplasty. The most common reasons cited include:

• Ears are too big
• Ears stick out too far
• Botched ear surgery
• Asymmetrically positioned ears
• Injured ears

Depending on your aesthetic goals, Dr. Watkins can correct deformities, and reposition, resize, and reshape your ears to bring your facial features and your self-image into balance. 

What happens during otoplasty?

The exact procedure will depend on what Dr. Watkins is doing, such as reshaping, pinning back, or resizing your ears. However, some things will be the same. No matter what procedure you have done, you’ll be under general anesthesia, and your surgery will likely take 1-2 hours.

During your surgery, Dr. Watkins will make a small incision to get access to your cartilage. And, depending on your procedure, he may make the incision behind your ear, where the scar won’t show, or he may make the incision in a fold if he has to enter your ear from the front.

At this point, Dr. Watkins will work with the cartilage to increase or decrease the size of your ear’s rim or conchal cavity. In the case of protruding ears, he’ll use permanent stitches to hold your ear in place. 

After closing the incision, Dr. Watkins will place a special dressing on it to help the newly shaped cartilage maintain its position as it heals. 

Dr. Watkins will send you home with detailed aftercare instructions and our full support. The main objective will be to keep your ears clean, dry, and safe from excessive force, pressure, or abrasion. As soon as the dressing comes off — which is usually about a week after surgery — the results will be immediate. Your new ears will be ready to show off, although some bruising may remain for about two weeks.

If you’ve been wanting to do something about your prominent ears, now is the time to schedule a consultation with Frederick H. Watkins, MD. To learn more, book an appointment online or over the phone today.