Ear Reduction Surgery - Otoplasty Before After Results - What is Otoplasty?
Ear reduction surgery is a form of ear plastic surgery or otoplasty. Ear reduction surgery is performed to fix a variety of ear deformities and defects such as a disparity in the size of the ears, to reduce the size of large ears or large earlobes, to repair earlobe damage and even to reduce the amount ears stick out from the head.
Ears are a facial feature that is viewed every time someone looks at your face and any asymmetry, defect or deformity of the ears is immediately apparent. This leads many people to be extremely self-conscious of their ears and many constantly wear their hair long over their ears trying to mask them. Ear abnormalities are especially significant for children as it often leads to other children teasing and bullying them and can have long term psychological effects.
Ear reduction surgery is usually performed in the surgeon’s rooms under a local anaesthetic, although some of the more complicated procedures will be performed as an outpatient under a local anaesthetic. Generally the incision will be made in the fold at the back of the ear which will be completely inconspicuous. (Any other incisions necessary will be small and inconspicuous.) The ear reduction surgery typically takes only two or three hours at most. Once the procedure is completed light bandages will be placed over the ears.
Recovery time for ear reduction surgery is short, the patients return home the same day (the next day for some more complicated procedures.) Pain related to the procedure is minimal and usually does not even require pain killers. Swelling associated with the surgery is generally minimal, peaking within the first three days and completely fading within three weeks. There is generally no bruising or minimal bruising, and the stitches can be removed in a week. Patients return to their normal activities such as work or school in a week.
Ear reduction surgery is permanent, the results will last for life, and the procedure will never need to be repeated. The results of ear reduction surgery are apparent almost immediately, and healing over time will only improve the appearance of the ears. Children’s ears have completed the majority of their growth around the age of four and any time from then on surgery can be performed. Many doctors recommend that children undergo ear reduction surgery as early as possible so as to minimize the effects of school bullying and teasing.
