Large ear lobes, protruding or drooping ears and various ear deformities may make a person feel self-conscious about his or her facial appearance. Thanks to otoplasty surgery, individuals of all ages can quickly and safely treat abnormalities in the structure of the ear.
Otoplasty is used to improve the appearance of the ears. The procedure is offered to patients after the ears reach their full size, which generally occurs around age 5. Otoplasty frequently helps people improve their facial appearance, as well as alleviate social anxiety commonly associated with irregularly shaped or damaged ears. Additionally, there are many benefits of otoplasty, including:
1. Correction of Prominent Ears
For most people, the outer ear is typically positioned on the head at an angle of about 25° to 35°. If this angle exceeds 35°, an individual’s ears may appear to “stick out” and impact his or her facial appearance. With otoplasty, an individual can “flatten” prominent ears and position the ears closer to the head, resulting in an improved facial appearance.
2. Increased Self-Confidence
There is a direct correlation between otoplasty and increased self-confidence. In fact, children often enjoy a self-esteem boost after otoplasty surgery, and they are able to adapt to school and other social environments more easily than they could in the past. Otoplasty may even help reduce the risk that a child is bullied due to his or her protruding ears. Of course, adults may also enjoy increased self-confidence following otoplasty surgery.
3. Natural Facial Appearance
Otoplasty changes the structure of the ears, and individuals dealing with abnormally small or large ears can use the procedure to correct this issue. Also, if the ears appear folded or cupped, otoplasty helps reshape the ears. This enables an individual to use an otoplasty to achieve a natural facial appearance.
4. Permanent Results
A typical otoplasty requires only about one to two hours to complete, and the results of treatment are permanent. Therefore, once an otoplasty patient’s post-surgery bandages are removed, he or she can enjoy the results of treatment for years to come.
5. Safe Treatment
Otoplasty has already helped children and adults correct irregularly shaped or damaged ears. The risks associated with otoplasty are minimal, and most patients can resume regular activity and exercise within about two weeks of surgery, too.
What to Expect During an Otoplasty Procedure
Before an individual can undergo an otoplasty, he or she must qualify for treatment. To do so, this individual should meet with an expert facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon like Dr. Babak Azizzadeh.
Dr. Azizzadeh takes a holistic approach to otoplasty and other facial plastic and reconstructive surgeries. Prior to performing an otoplasty, Dr. Azizzadeh meets with a patient to review his or her medical history and learn about his or her treatment goals. Dr. Azizzadeh also evaluates his patient’s ears and facial appearance. He then explores ways to help his patient achieve a harmonious facial appearance.
If Dr. Azizzadeh believes a patient is a good candidate for otoplasty, he next outlines the treatment cycle. An otoplasty procedure is usually conducted at a surgical center under local anesthesia. During the procedure, Dr. Azizzadeh makes a small incision in the back of his patient’s ear. Dr. Azizzadeh then reshapes or folds the ear cartilage to reduce the ear’s size.
Dr. Azizzadeh prepares otoplasty patients for the recovery cycle as well. During otoplasty recovery, patients sometimes experience swelling and discomfort that lasts a few days after surgery. However, otoplasty patients can often resume their normal activities within about a week of surgery and return to work or school within about two weeks of treatment.
Furthermore, Dr. Azizzadeh provides instructions about how to limit the risk of complications during the recovery process. He offers recovery recommendations to otoplasty patients, such as:
- Avoid rigorous activity until the ears are fully healed
- Keep the head elevated
- Do not wash the hair with shampoo for at least one week after treatment
In certain instances, Dr. Azizzadeh prescribes medication to help otoplasty patients alleviate post-surgery pain. He also remains available to otoplasty patients throughout the recovery cycle and is happy to respond to any concerns or questions.
Are You a Good Candidate for Otoplasty?
Children and adults may qualify for otoplasty surgery, but the ideal candidate for treatment varies. Oftentimes, individuals who are dealing with overly large or protruding ears not associated with hearing loss qualify for otoplasty. Meanwhile, the surgeon that individual selects to perform an otoplasty can have far-flung effects, too.
By choosing Dr. Azizzadeh for otoplasty surgery, an individual can put himself or herself in position to achieve the best results. Dr. Azizzadeh is a Harvard-trained and dual board-certified facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon who is committed to patient satisfaction. He crafts a custom otoplasty treatment plan based on his patient and his or her surgery goals. Plus, Dr. Azizzadeh works with his patient throughout the treatment cycle. He monitors his patient’s progress and does everything possible to help his patient maximize his or her treatment results.
For people who are considering otoplasty surgery, Dr. Azizzadeh is available to discuss treatment. To schedule a consultation with Dr. Azizzadeh, please call us today at 310-657-2203.