Ears that protrude and stick out, are misshapen and uneven, or look oversized can affect your self-confidence, especially during childhood. Ear surgery is a cosmetic treatment that helps to correct the shape, size, and position of the ears to create a natural look. Dr. Brian Dorner is a plastic surgeon who has assisted countless men and women to overcome their anxiety of showing their ears with this surgery. Regardless of the physical irregularity, ear surgery in Columbus allows an individual to show their face from any angle with confidence. If you or your child are concerned about the size or shape of their ears, schedule a consultation with Dr. Dorner to learn more about this facial plastic surgery.
Otoplasty can be done on patients of all ages; however, it is common among young children and is suggested prior to reaching elementary school. By age six, this procedure is safe to be performed on a child. If you are self-conscious from the look and shape of your ears because they stick out or are too large, otoplasty can help attain a natural-looking appearance. If you suffer from a torn or damaged earlobe, you are also a candidate for otoplasty.
Otoplasty is completed using general anesthesia or IV sedation. In many patients, the incision is made behind the ear or inside the inner ear. During surgery, cartilage will be reshaped to create a smaller or larger appearance. It is common for both ears to be altered during the procedure to ensure they look and appear even. After this, the incisions are secured with sutures and carefully bandaged so they stay safeguarded for healing.
When the procedure is over and it is safe to leave the outpatient surgery center, you will recover at home. Dr. Dorner or a member of his team will provide recovery instructions. It is important to not pick at or touch the ears. In addition, you or your child should avoid laying on the ears, instead, sleeping upright for a few days. Dr. Dorner typically likes to see his ear surgery patients back within a week — during this time, Dr. Dorner will be able to remove the wrappings and assess you or your child’s ears. Natural-looking ears can be seen almost immediately and the results will continue to look better as the ears heal.
The cost for ear surgery will depend on what is being performed (ear shaping, pinning, earlobe repair, or a combination). Once Dr. Dorner has listened to your concerns and goals, he can create your surgical plan and estimate costs. In order for you to focus on getting the results you need instead of costs, Dorner Plastic Surgery accepts many payment methods and we can help you find low-interest medical financing.
The ears typically mature faster than other parts of the face and body, which is why an otoplasty can be performed on younger patients with long-lasting results. Dr. Dorner will assess the ears and then talk to you about realistic expectations and how long the results should last. Even as the rest of the face and body can change due to age and gravity, the effect on the ears should be minimal. If there are dramatic changes to the ears due to an injury, a second otoplasty may be performed.
On average, children about 5 – 6 years of age are ideal candidates for otoplasty. While the ear is usually fully developed, the cartilage and tissue will still be soft, making it easy to reshape. This age is also good because it is before they start school or early in their education, so they can avoid being teased by classmates. Although many otoplasty patients are children, Dr. Dorner also performs ear surgery on adults in Columbus.
Many issues, including ears that are too large or stick out, occur in both ears, so both will need to be corrected. During the surgery, Dr. Dorner will shape both ears so they are as equal as possible. However, if only one ear needs to be changed, the size and shape will be altered to match the other ear. When he develops your treatment plan, Dr. Dorner will let you know whether one or both ears will be addressed.
The popularity of large earrings and ear gauges have made earlobe repair a popular surgery at Dorner Plastic Surgery. If you are interested in having earlobe reconstruction or repair, schedule a consultation with Dr. Dorner. He will examine the damage and let you know what may be done to restore your earlobes.
Even though the ears are small, the wrong size, position, or shape can make a big difference in your appearance. Ear surgery in Columbus can help your child avoid teasing at school, or help you if you have always felt self-conscious about your ears. Contact Dorner Plastic Surgery to schedule your appointment with plastic surgeon Dr. Dorner and learn more about cosmetic ear surgery. We look forward to helping you gain a look you can be proud of and the confidence to flaunt it.
*Individual results are not guaranteed and may vary from person to person. Images may contain models.