Otoplasty Orange County, Newport Beach & Bakersfield

How Is The Cosmetic Ear Surgery Performed?

Otoplasty surgery is typically an outpatient procedure that takes about two hours. Before surgery, Dr. Daneshmand will examine your ears, discuss your goals, and develop an individualized treatment plan.

Otoplasty may be performed using local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, depending on the patient’s age, health, treatment plan, and surgeon’s recommendation.

For prominent or protruding ears, Dr. Daneshmand typically makes an incision behind the ear, where the resulting scar is well concealed. In some cases, an incision may be placed within a natural fold on the front of the ear when necessary. The cartilage is then carefully reshaped, folded, repositioned, or selectively reduced to create a more natural ear contour and bring the ear closer to the head when appropriate. Depending on the underlying anatomy, techniques may include cartilage-sparing sutures, cartilage scoring, conchal reduction or setback, or a combination of approaches. Internal sutures may be used to hold the newly shaped cartilage in its desired position.

Once the desired shape and position have been achieved, the incisions are closed, and the ears are covered with a protective dressing or head wrap to support the new position during the initial healing period.

Otoplasty Recovery

After otoplasty, it is normal to experience some discomfort, swelling, bruising, redness, tightness, or changes in sensation around the ears. These symptoms are usually temporary and gradually improve as the ears heal. Following Dr. Daneshmand’s postoperative instructions can help support a smooth recovery.

Following your otoplasty, you can generally expect:

• Swelling and bruising: These are common during the early recovery period and gradually improve. One ear may swell more than the other during healing.

• Changes in sensation: Temporary numbness, tingling, tenderness, or increased sensitivity around the ears can occur and may take weeks or longer to fully resolve.

• A protective dressing or headband: Your ears will typically be covered with a dressing immediately after surgery. Dr. Daneshmand may recommend a headband afterward to protect the ears and support them as they heal. Follow his instructions regarding how long and when to wear it.

• Head elevation: Keeping your head elevated, particularly while sleeping, can help minimize swelling during the early recovery period.

• Activity restrictions: You will need to avoid activities that could bend, hit, or put pressure on the ears while they heal. Your surgeon will let you know when you can resume exercise, sports, and other normal activities. Children may need temporary restrictions from contact sports and activities at school.

• Incision care: Follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding topical ointments, dressings, showering, and incision care. Avoid rubbing or putting unnecessary pressure on the ears.

• Follow-up appointments: Dr. Daneshmand will monitor your healing and check the position and appearance of your ears during follow-up visits.

Otoplasty Before and After: When Will I See My Results?

The change in ear position can often be seen soon after surgery, but swelling and redness can temporarily obscure the final appearance. Most patients feel significantly more comfortable within the first few weeks, but complete healing takes longer.

Many patients can return to routine activities relatively quickly, but the ears continue to heal and settle for several weeks. Scar maturation and subtle changes in swelling and ear contour can continue for months, so the final result should not be judged too early.

How is an Otoplasty Performed?

A surgical otoplasty is generally a simple cosmetic procedure that only takes about two hours. But the entire process will begin with an initial consultation with Dr. Daneshmand. He will firstly examine your ears and provide you with a clear understanding of what to expect during your outpatient procedure.

When it’s time for your cosmetic surgery, Dr. Daneshmand will begin by sedating you with local anesthesia or general anesthesia. For an ear pinning procedure, he will make a few small incisions in the ear folds that are behind the ear. He will then use permanent sutures to basically angle the ears closer to the head. For ear augmentations or reductions, Dr. Daneshmand will likely trim or reshape the ear cartilage. Lastly, he’ll wrap your ears in a protective headband, prescribe pain medication, and send you home to heal.

What to Expect After an Otoplasty

Like any facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, you will likely experience discomfort, swelling, and pain while you heal. Luckily, this is generally short-lived with an otoplasty. As long as you follow after-care instructions from your doctor, your healing and pain will be manageable.

here is what to expect following your cosmetic ear surgery:

• Your surgeon will instruct you to keep your head elevated, especially while you sleep.
• There will be swelling, redness, and some changes in skin sensation while you heal.
• You will probably have to wear a protective headband and apply topical ointments to the ears for a couple of weeks while you heal.
• Complete recovery from an otoplasty can take up to six weeks, but most people feel better within two to three weeks post-op.
• It can take up to six weeks to see full ear pinning results because sometimes it can take that long for swelling and redness to go down.
• You will probably have a couple of follow-up appointments with your surgeon while you heal.