Do you hide your ears? Do you avoid short haircuts or earrings that draw attention to your ears? Is your child teased at school because of prominent ears? Your ears are usually not a cosmetic concern unless they stick out or do not match. If you are self-conscious about your ears, otoplasty in Portland with Dr. David Magilke – among the premier plastic surgeons in Portland, OR – can help.
Otoplasty (cosmetic ear surgery) reshapes the ear cartilages and pins back prominent ears. It can also recreate natural anatomy, making mismatched ears look the same.
Are You A Candidate For Otoplasty?
What may make you or your child a good candidate for Otoplasty:
- You or your child (6 years or older) have protruding ears.
- Your ears are uneven (one ear protrudes further out than the other).
- You have a desire to keep your hair long in order to hide your ears.
- You have a desire to avoid pulling your hair back behind the ears.
Results You Can Expect From Ear Surgery
- Your ears are brought back into a natural position and no longer stick out.
- Your incisions are hidden in the crease behind your ears, so you can cut your hair short or wear it back without signs of surgery.
- The new shape to your ears is permanent.
Will Ear Surgery Cause Noticeable Scarring?
Dr. Magilke places the incisions behind the ear. As a result, the minor scarring associated with otoplasty is virtually unnoticeable, even when viewed up close.
Ear Surgery FAQ
Why do some people’s ears protrude from their face?
Usually, a protruding ear is the result of an underdeveloped antihelix. This malformation extends the helix (or outer ridge) of the ear outward instead of flat against the head. It is also possible for prominent ears to be caused by an overdevelopment of cartilage.
How long do otoplasty results last?
Ear pinning surgery is generally considered permanent. Unlike some other forms of cosmetic surgery that are eventually undone by the aging process, you should be able to enjoy your results indefinitely. This is true even for children who have had the surgery.
Why is otoplasty usually performed on children? Is this safe for children?
Protruding ears generally affect people from birth, so it makes sense that patients decide to have surgery earlier than later. Many times, families decide that otoplasty is the right decision for their child to try to avoid teasing and bullying.
Otoplasty is safe to perform on young children because by the age of five or six the ears have almost fully developed to their adult size. Dr. Magilke regularly performs this procedure for children six and older with great success.
Does otoplasty affect the patient’s hearing?
Otoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that has no effect on your hearing. You will hear the same amount when your ears are pinned closer to your head. If you are trying to improve your hearing, you should schedule an appointment with an audiologist who specializes in that type of care.
What is recovery from ear surgery like?
Most of the healing from otoplasty occurs in the first week, but it can take a couple months for swelling to subside and for the results to be final. As soon as you return home from your surgery, focus on resting and relaxing in the initial days and continue to wear the headband Dr. Magilke provides to ensure that your ears stay pinned in their new position. Take pain medication as necessary to relieve any lingering discomfort. Eat a nutritious diet and stay hydrated to aid with recovery. Postpone strenuous exercise until you have fully recovered and received permission from Dr. Magilke.
Should I wait (or have my child wait) until an older age to have this surgery?
There is no medical advantage or disadvantage to waiting until adulthood to have otoplasty. Some of the reasons that adults choose to have otoplasty include:
- They believe that protruding ears do not look as “cute” for an adult as they do for a child.
- The parents did not want to make this decision for their child, but now the patient makes decisions about his or her own medical care.
- They have grown tired of wearing long hairstyles that can cover their ears.
Does insurance cover otoplasty?
Addressing protruding ears is not a medical necessity, therefore ear surgery is considered a cosmetic procedure (even for children) and is not covered by most insurance plans. However, our practice does offer financing through CareCredit, a leading medical lender.
If you wish to learn more about otoplasty for you or your child, schedule a face to face consultation with the Portland Face doctor David D. Magilke and discuss your surgery options. Patients can schedule an appointment by calling our office at (503) 297 6511.
