You’ve hated your ears for as long as you can remember. Is it time to do something about them? Otoplasty is a surgical procedure that can transform your ears’ shape, size, or position. If you dislike your prominent ears, ask us if cosmetic ear surgery is right for you.
Thinking about otoplasty? This guide will help you learn more about the procedure.
What Is Otoplasty?
Otoplasty is a type of cosmetic ear reshaping. People may choose to get this procedure performed for many reasons, but is most common among patients who dislike how far their ears stick out from their head. Some people refer to otoplasty as ear pinning surgery. Otoplasty can also treat overly large ears or abnormalities, including lop ears and cup ears.
Otoplasty is one of the few cosmetic surgeries performed on young children, and parents may choose to have this done to protect their kids from teasing or bullying. It’s safe to get otoplasty once the ears reach their full adult size. Some of our youngest otoplasty patients are only 5 years old. We also work with many adult patients who want to have ear surgery.
What’s Recovery Like?
Ear surgery is an outpatient procedure, and most patients return home the same day as their surgery. Initially, your ears may be sore, swollen, and tender. We’ll send you home with a protective wrap you’ll need to wear around your ears 24 hours a day for one to two weeks and at night for four to six weeks.
We ask patients to take at least a week off from work or school and to avoid strenuous activity for at least four weeks.
Recovery progresses quickly for most patients. After several weeks, you’ll be back to your regular activities, feeling more confident and comfortable with your ears’ appearance.
I’m Ready to Learn More. How Can I Prepare for My Otoplasty Consultation?
If you’re thinking about otoplasty in the Inland Empire, a consultation is the best first step. During your private meeting with Dr. Machida, you’ll learn about otoplasty, discover the benefits you’re likely to experience, and receive a detailed quote for your procedure. Consultations aren’t a commitment to have surgery, so we encourage any interested patients to schedule a visit so they can learn more.
Here are a few tips for preparing for your consultation with Dr. Machida:
- Write down any questions you have. You may think you’ll remember, but during the excitement of a consultation, many patients forget their questions.
- What do you hope to achieve from otoplasty? We recommend that patients spend time considering their goals for surgery before their consultation.
- Bring your medical records. We’ll ask about your health and medical history. If you’re taking any medications (including prescription or over-the-counter drugs or supplements), we need to know about them.
- Come with an open mind. During your consultation, Dr. Machida will describe your options for improving your ears’ appearance. Some of his recommendations may be new ideas you haven’t considered yet. Be ready to explore these possibilities.
Schedule your otoplasty consultation with Dr. Machida by reaching out online or calling (909) 476-2600.