Otoplasty in Dallas, TX
Have you ever felt self-conscious about your ears? Do they stick out, look uneven, or have they been affected by an injury or a congenital condition? Otoplasty—also known as ear pinning or ear reshaping surgery—is a procedure that can bring harmony to your facial features and help restore your confidence. Whether you’re exploring this procedure for yourself or your child, Dr. Prem Patel and his team at WOW Cosmetic Surgery are here to provide expert care and help you feel more at ease with your appearance, so you can look WOW, feel WOW, and be WOW.
Table of Contents
- What Is Otoplasty?
- Reasons to Consider Otoplasty
- Am I a Good Candidate for Otoplasty?
- How Is Otoplasty Performed?
- What Is Recovery Like After Otoplasty?
- What Can I Expect From My Otoplasty Results?
- Why Choose WOW Cosmetic Surgery in Colleyville for Otoplasty?
- Frequently Asked Questions About Otoplasty
- Learn More About Otoplasty in Dallas-Fort Worth
What Is Otoplasty?
Otoplasty is a cosmetic surgical procedure that corrects the size, shape, or position of the ears. The most common reason people choose to undergo otoplasty is to set overly prominent ears closer to the head. However, it can also address a wide range of issues, such as oversized ears, uneven ears, or deformities caused by injury or congenital malformation.
The procedure is highly customizable and may involve reshaping the cartilage, repositioning the ear, or resizing it altogether. It’s most often performed on children between the ages of 5 and 14, but is also a common procedure for adults who never had the opportunity to correct the issue earlier in life.
Reasons to Consider Otoplasty
There are several benefits of otoplasty to think about as you consider surgery. While the procedure is often done for cosmetic reasons, it can also serve reconstructive or corrective purposes. Common reasons to seek otoplasty include:
Prominent or Protruding Ears
One of the primary reasons patients seek otoplasty is to correct the size, shape, or projection of their ears.
Ear Asymmetry
Some people’s ears differ significantly in size, shape, or placement on the head. Otoplasty can bring symmetry to your face and restore balance to your facial features.
Congenital Ear Deformities
Conditions such as lop ear, shell ear, or Stahl’s ear (also known as pointed ear) may be corrected through surgical ear reshaping.
Trauma or Injury
Damage from sports, accidents, or previous surgeries can cause your ears to become misshapen. Otoplasty can reconstruct the affected area and restore the natural look of your ear.
Increase in Confidence
Especially during childhood and the teenage years, teasing and bullying due to the size or appearance of your ears can significantly impact your self-esteem. Otoplasty often provides relief from social anxiety and boosts self-esteem.
Whether to achieve a more aesthetic balance between your facial features or to address your emotional well-being, otoplasty offers a solution easily tailored to your individual needs and designed to help patients of all ages feel more confident and comfortable with their ears.
Am I a Good Candidate for Otoplasty?
To be considered a good candidate for otoplasty, you should be in good overall health and dissatisfied with the shape, size, or projection of your ears. Your ears also need to have reached full size (usually by age 5 or 6). The best way to find out if you’re a good candidate for otoplasty is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Patel. He will examine your ears and determine if otoplasty is right for you.
How Is Otoplasty Performed?
Otoplasty is an outpatient procedure performed using local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the patient’s age and needs. The surgery generally takes two hours.
Otoplasty surgery begins with incisions strategically placed behind the ear, where they’ll be virtually invisible after healing. Dr. Patel will then remove or reshape ear cartilage to reduce the projection of your ears or improve their shape, and use permanent internal sutures to help maintain the new position of the ear. Once your ears are reshaped and positioned appropriately, Dr. Patel will close the incisions and apply sterile bandages to protect them and support the healing process.
In more complex reconstructive otoplasty cases, the procedure may be more extensive and require additional steps or follow-up surgeries, and thus not ideal to be performed at WOW Cosmetic Surgery.
What Is Recovery Like After Otoplasty?
Recovery from otoplasty is relatively straightforward. Immediately after surgery, you will wear a head dressing to protect your ears. There will be some swelling, and you may experience some mild discomfort, itching, or pressure, but these are expected side effects.
By the end of the first week after your otoplasty surgery, your stitches will be removed, and you should be able to return to work or school. After a month, the majority of the swelling will have subsided, and you will be able to return to all regular activities.
During otoplasty recovery, you should avoid sleeping on your side and refrain from strenuous activity until Dr. Patel clears you. Any discomfort you experience is typically well managed with over-the-counter medication or mild prescription pain relievers.
What Can I Expect From My Otoplasty Results?
Your otoplasty results are typically visible immediately after surgery; however, the final outcome will become clearer as the swelling dissipates. Because your ears are reshaped using permanent sutures and cartilage repositioning, your otoplasty results are long-lasting and do not typically require revision.
After otoplasty, patients typically enjoy ears that look more natural and proportionate, increasing their confidence and self-esteem. Unlike other cosmetic procedures that require maintenance to ensure lasting results, otoplasty results are designed to last a lifetime.
Why Choose WOW Cosmetic Surgery in Colleyville for Otoplasty?
Located in Colleyville, WOW Cosmetic Surgery serves patients from all over, including the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, who are looking for experienced, compassionate care for their ear surgery. Triple board-certified cosmetic surgeon Dr. Prem Patel offers skill and expertise in ear reshaping procedures that deliver natural-looking results and are tailored to your unique anatomy and goals. From consultation to post-op care, the supportive staff at WOW Cosmetic Surgery ensures that every patient feels informed and cared for.
Frequently Asked Questions About Otoplasty
The ideal age is usually around 5 or 6 when the ears are fully developed, but before school-age teasing begins. However, adults can undergo otoplasty at any age.
Yes. In fact, otoplasty is usually performed on both ears to ensure symmetry, even if only one ear appears significantly misshapen.
Most patients experience mild discomfort, pressure, or itching rather than sharp or prolonged pain during otoplasty recovery. These symptoms are temporary and manageable with basic pain relief methods.
The cost of otoplasty in Colleyville can vary based on several factors, including the complexity of the ear correction, anesthesia fees, and surgical facility costs. If you’re considering combining otoplasty with another facial procedure to enhance facial balance, that will also affect the total price. During your initial consultation, Dr. Prem Patel will evaluate your needs and provide a detailed, customized cost estimate. Financing is also available.
Otoplasty is a surgical procedure, so like any surgery, it carries some risks. Some of the risks associated with otoplasty include:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Poor wound healing
- Asymmetry
- Changes in skin sensation (usually temporary)
- Suture extrusion (when internal sutures work their way to the surface)
The best way to avoid complications is to closely follow Dr. Patel’s postoperative instructions. If you experience any prolonged or concerning side effects, contact our office immediately.
Learn More About Otoplasty in Dallas-Fort Worth
Whether you’ve been wanting to correct the size or shape of your ears for several years or are just starting to explore the idea for you or your child, otoplasty at WOW Cosmetic Surgery can be a life-changing experience. To learn more about otoplasty and discover whether you’re a good candidate for the surgery, schedule a consultation with Dr. Patel today by calling (833) DR WOW MD or completing the online contact form.
