Nobody wants to feel self-conscious about their appearance, but for a child, prominent features are a beacon calling out to all bullies. Prominent ears that stick out can lead to many mean and deprecating nicknames, and while this is not the patient’s fault, there is little that can be done to mask the look. There is however an easy solution in correcting ear positioning that can do wonders for its possessor’s social life. At Avante Plastic Surgery, we offer our Houston patients Otoplasty a fast and effective method of correcting deformity. To help you learn more about the procedure, we have included some information below that we feel is very helpful!
Introduction to
Otoplasty
What is Otoplasty?
Ear Contouring, professionally referred to as Otoplasty, is a surgical procedure that improves your facial symmetry and creates a proportionate balance by adjusting the projection of your ear’s structure. Dr. Ahmadi utilizes multiple techniques to help you achieve facial harmony and treat the conditions or deformities that create self-doubt to improve your confidence and your overall appearance.
Ear Contouring Surgical Techniques
Ear Pinning – The most standard type of Otoplasty, ear pinning is a minimally-invasive procedure that draws protruding ears closer to the sides of the face. Dr. Ahmadi can perform your ear-pinning in several ways. The first technique uses sutures that hold the ear cartilage closer to your head without the need to remove any skin or cartilage from the ear. The other technique that Dr. Ahmadi may place an incision in the natural fold right behind the ear, where your ear meets the head. He will remove any excess cartilage and skin, shaping your ear into a more desirable form. Permanent sutures are then used to secure the cartilage and provide your ears with your desired projection.
While it is more commonly performed on children between the ages of five and six, adults can also get this surgery to improve their appearance.
Ear Keloid – Most commonly developing after mild-to-moderate trauma, Ear Keloids are firm, rubbery, fibrous nodules that form on your earlobes. This trauma can be something as simple as getting an ear pierced, or something more extreme like a blunt force to the skin and cartilage higher up on the ear. While certain scars can be treated using steroids and fluorouracil 5 injections, significant scarring requires something more serious such as surgical correction or fat grafting. If fat grafting is performed, it is often done before any surgical intervention to ensure the best quality for the collagen and scar tissue beneath. Significant hypertrophic scarring and keloids can lead to itching and pain for many patients. In cases with larger hypertrophic scarring or keloids, multiple treatments are required.
Every patient will have different problems and different tissue quality, so each keloid treatment will require a customized approach. Some cases are simple single-stage treatments, such as fixing scar tissue of the pinna (visible outer portion) of the ear, while other cases will require multiple treatments, whether it be surgical or non-surgical. Dr. Ahmadi will work with you to help reach your aesthetic goal with the best results possible.
Ear Lobe Repair – This technique fixes an earlobe that has been torn or stretched due to pierced or damaged ears, or some traumatic event. This procedure consists of sealing up the split parts using a zig-zag pattern which reinforces and prevents the earlobes from splitting the same way again. A small wound dressing is often applied at the end of the surgery to help protect against infection.
What are the Benefits of Otoplasty?
For a patient with larger or protruding back ears, there are so many wonderful benefits from Otoplasty in Houston, including:
- Better ear proportions
- Can be performed at almost any age
- Corrects prominent ears
- Increases self-confidence
- More natural facial appearance
- Permanent results
- Treatment is safe
Who are the Best Candidates for Otoplasty?
You could be a great candidate for Otoplasty in Houston if you possess the following characteristics:
- Can stop taking certain medications (i.e. corticosteroids, NSAIDs, or MAOIs) for at least a few weeks before surgery
- Have concerns about the appearance of your ears
- In overall good health
- Maintain realistic expectations with the results
- Nonsmoker
This procedure is great for people of all ages but is a very popular choice for younger patients because their cartilage is easier to shape and manipulate. While this procedure can be performed on patients as young as five years old, we do encourage patients to wait for smaller children as they still have the opportunity to grow. If you have any questions regarding your or your child’s eligibility for Otoplasty, please call Avante Plastic Surgery so that we can help you decide your next step.
What’s the first step for a
Otoplasty
If you are looking into an Otoplasty in the Houston, TX area, your first step is to schedule your consultation with Dr. Ahmad Ahmadi. When you come into Avante Plastic Surgery for your appointment, your ears will be evaluated by Dr. Ahmadi who will answer any questions you have about the surgery, all while providing his professional insight. You will also be asked questions regarding your medical history to give Dr. Ahmadi a better understanding of what is required and to avoid any unnecessary risks. Once the two of you agree on every step of your procedure, he will create your personalized surgical plan. Our Patient Coordinator will then be able to help schedule the date and time for your procedure.
What to Expect on the Day of Otoplasty
On the day of your Otoplasty, you will begin in the pre-operative area, where you will meet the nursing and anesthesiology staff who will take care of you or your child during your procedure. Dr. Ahmadi will also meet with you and your family before the procedure so that he may review the procedure with you, and discuss any last-minute questions you may have. The patient will then be administered anesthesia so the procedure can be performed as efficiently as possible. Depending on what is discussed during your consultation, your anesthesia could be local, general, or intravenous sedation.
Your individual experience will be unique to the condition you’re trying to treat and can be better understood when looking at the Technique section above. If you have any specific questions, Dr. Ahmadi will be happy to answer them during your consultation.
After the procedure is performed, you or your child will be taken to the recovery room. An ear dressing will be in place that may be removed the next day at your post-operative visit or at home by you. All otoplasty procedures are performed as outpatient surgery, and you will be sent home with detailed post-operative instructions and pain medication. We will call you on the night of surgery to ensure that you are doing well and to answer any questions.
Otoplasty Recovery
Once you are released from our care, you will be able to return home to recover peacefully, but it is a good idea to have someone available to give you a ride home and possibly help you around the house for the first 24 hours. Your Otoplasty recovery will take between one and two weeks, which will include possible bruising and swelling that will slowly fade over the next coming weeks. There will also be some mild pain and discomfort, but Dr. Ahmadi will prescribe you pain medication to alleviate these symptoms. Patients normally tend to feel and look well enough within seven to ten days that they are comfortable enough to return to work or school.
You will be advised to avoid any strenuous exercise for the first month, and any heavy lifting for at least the first three weeks. We also recommend that you DO NOT wear any “pull-over” types of clothing as this could accidentally disrupt your ears’ healing process. You will want to avoid any hard or excessively chewy foods for the first few weeks for the same reason. After about a month and a half post-op, you may resume contact sports.
How Much Does Otoplasty Cost in Houston, TX?
The exact cost of an Otoplasty in Houston will depend on the extent of correction and the individual patient, among other various factors. During your consultation with Dr. Ahmadi, he will go over the procedure and develop your plan. Once this surgical plan is made, our Patient Coordinator can provide you with a complete pricing breakdown.
Why Choose Dr. Ahmadi?
If you want to get your Otoplasty performed in Houston, there’s no better place than Avante Plastic Surgery Houston. Dr. Ahmadi is widely considered by his patients as one of the best ear contouring surgeons in Houston. He is a skilled and experienced board-certified plastic surgeon who will ensure you receive the highest quality of care. When you schedule your procedure with Dr. Ahmadi, you can feel confident that you are working with one of the best of the best.
Schedule a Consultation
Ear pinning and the various forms of ear surgery that we offer can do so much to change your life for the better. If you want to take control of your appearance, Otoplasty in Houston is a wonderful option, especially when you come into Avante Plastic Surgery. To schedule your personal consultation with Dr. Ahmadi, please request an appointment through our website or call us at (281) 265-2639 today!
Otoplasty FAQ’s
Patient Resources
We’re here to help, with a number of patient resources designed to make your experience as comfortable as possible. Read through the materials below, and don’t hesitate to reach out and set up your consultation to learn more about what we can do for you.