Otoplasty, sometimes referred to as ear pinning, is usually performed on children who are five to seven years old. However, at New England Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center in Weymouth, MA, we offer this procedure for adults. We understand that not every adult had the opportunity as a child to get cosmetic surgery and firmly believe everyone should feel confident in their appearance. Keep reading to learn more about this procedure, including how long it takes.
How Long Does Otoplasty Take?
Otoplasty usually takes two hours to complete. However, the amount of time your procedure will take depends on many factors, including the number of concerns you are trying to correct and how severe those concerns are. If you are only trying to reduce the size of one or both of your ears, your procedure won’t take as long as it would if you were also trying to correct damage.
How Long Will the Results of My Procedure Last?
You can feel pretty confident that the results of your procedure will last a lifetime. Human ears stop growing after roughly seven years. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about your ears getting bigger after some of the cartilage is removed. However, if you have your ears significantly reshaped, you may need a follow-up procedure if you sustain trauma. For instance, a motor vehicle accident or sports injury can negatively affect the appearance of your ears.
Do I Have To Worry About Scarring?
No, you don’t need to worry about scarring following this procedure. The location of the incisions depends on several factors, including the goals you are trying to achieve. However, whether they are made on the backs of your ears or inside your ears’ inner creases, you don’t have to worry about anybody seeing them while they heal. You also don’t have to worry about the incisions resulting in visible scarring. Nobody will be able to tell you had surgery.
What Post-Op Restrictions Should I Be Aware of?
One of the most important post-op restrictions you should be aware of is that you will not be able to drive after your surgery. Depending on the scope of your goals and overall health, you may receive general anesthesia prior to your operation. If you receive general anesthesia, you will not be able to drive or operate any other heavy equipment for 24 hours.
Similarly, if you’re not healthy enough to receive general anesthesia or you are only treating a couple of concerns, you may receive a local anesthetic. This will numb only your ears, and it will not put you to sleep, causing grogginess. However, local anesthesia is usually administered in conjunction with a sedative to ensure you don’t feel any anxiety during your procedure. If you receive an oral or intravenous sedative, you will not be able to drive for 24 hours.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Procedure?
Ear pinning is usually performed on five- to seven-year-olds. There are a couple of reasons for this. One reason is that children tend to heal from surgery faster. Another reason is it is often easier for a child to get this procedure over the summer when their education will not be interrupted, especially if there is a stay-at-home parent. On the other hand, it may not be as easy for an adult to take several days off from work.
However, you may be a good candidate for this procedure if you are dissatisfied with the size, shape, or position of your ears. While it is necessary to take several days off from work to recover, if you follow all of the recovery guidelines you’re given, your recovery should be pretty quick and smooth. If you can take several days off from work to recover, we will discuss your goals and health to verify this procedure will be effective and safe.
What Recovery Steps Will I Need To Take?
Once your procedure is complete, you will need to wear a protective bandage around your ears for a few days. This will facilitate rapid healing and protect them from potential infections. You will also need to take a full course of antibiotics to mitigate the risk of an infection after your surgery. Another important recovery guideline you must follow is to not sleep on your side. If you do, the stitches used to close your incisions could be affected.
Once the protective bandage around your ears is removed, you will need to continue protecting your ears. Specifically, you will need to wear a loose headband over your ears for approximately 21 days while you sleep. This helps to protect the integrity of your results in case you toss and turn in your sleep.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
Otoplasty generally takes 120 minutes to complete. However, individual experiences vary. The techniques used to make the desired improvements affect how long the procedure will take. The length of your procedure also depends on the scope of your goals. Contact us today at New England Cosmetic Surgery and Laser Center in Weymouth, MA to schedule your initial consultation and learn more about this life-changing procedure.