Introduction
Do prominent or protruding ears affect your confidence or limit your hairstyle choices? You’re not alone and don’t have to live with that discomfort. At Hamilton Facial Plastic Surgery, with convenient locations in Carmel and Greenwood, double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Mark M. Hamilton, M.D., F.A.C.S., offers expert otoplasty (ear surgery) to help men and women regain confidence and achieve natural-looking results. We proudly serve patients from the Indianapolis area, across the Midwest, and worldwide.
Otoplasty is a surgical procedure for the ears designed to pin back protruding ears, reduce the size of large ears, create symmetry between the ears, or otherwise reshape the ears. Children between the ages of 5 and 14 are the most common patients for this procedure, though the surgery can also be performed at older ages.
Otoplasty, also known as ear surgery, is a plastic surgery procedure designed to enhance the appearance of the ears. Surgery can be performed to pin back protruding ears, reduce the size of large ears, make the ears more symmetrical, or otherwise reshape the ears to achieve a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
If you are physically healthy, realistic in your expectations, and seeking an improvement in the appearance of your ears, you may be a good candidate for otoplasty. While otoplasty can be performed on children and adults alike, it is often recommended that the surgery be performed around age 5 or 6. By this age, the ears have achieved most of their adult size, and surgery will spare children the teasing that can occur with large or protruding ears once they are in school.
Otoplasty First Step
During your consultation, Dr. Hamilton will discuss your goals and address any concerns you may have about your ears. A thorough medical history will be taken, and the ears will be examined. Dr. Hamilton will recommend the most effective technique and discuss all aspects of the surgery, including the facility, anesthesia, recovery, risks, and associated costs. Photographs may also be taken of the ears during the consultation.
Otoplasty surgery begins by making incisions that are usually located in the back of the ears. Several techniques can be used to alter the appearance of the ears. The cartilage may be sculpted, bent back toward the head, and movable stitches used to secure the new shape if necessary. A larger piece of cartilage may need to be removed to achieve a more natural-looking fold. In some cases, the surgeon may not remove any cartilage but instead fold it back on itself and use stitches to reshape the ear. Both ears are typically operated on to achieve opafter the surgeryage may be applied to the head once the surgery is finished.
After surgery, you’ll wear a little bit of a bulky bandage for a few days to support your ears as they heal. Swelling and bruising are normal but usually subside within the first week. A lighter head dressing will replace the initial bandage, and you’ll start seeing your new ear shape emerge.
Most of our patients can return to non-strenuous activities within 5 to 7 days. To ensure optimal healing, avoid pressure on your ears or bending them for at least a month. With proper care, you’ll enjoy your refreshed look in no time.
Dr. Hamilton and his post-operative team will guide you every step of the way for a smooth recovery.
The following is a list of general instructions for your care following your Otoplasty. Please read them carefully several times, as most of your questions should be answered here. Carefully following these instructions should help you get the best results from your procedure.
Your dressing after surgery will remain on until the following morning. Relaxing and keeping your head elevated the night after surgery is important. Your dressing will be removed the morning after surgery. At that point, we will review your care:
Go over suture lines behind the ears three times daily with hydrogen peroxide on a Q-tip. After this, again with a Q-tip, apply a liberal amount of Vaseline or Bacitracin ointment. The stitches behind the ears are dissolvable, and keeping them lubricated helps quicken the process.
Your headband will be placed over the ears the morning following surgery. Please wear it at all times for the first two weeks following surgery. This is important for keeping your new ears in position. You may shower on the second day following surgery, but baths are a better choice for most people. Be sure to use gentle shampoo immediately, such as Johnson’s Baby Shampoo.
Be sure to immediately report any signs of bleeding that persist for more than ten minutes, redness, fever, unusual drainage, or pain.
Stitches will be removed on the seventh day after surgery.
For the following two weeks, please wear your headband at night until the six-week point.
Swelling: Swelling will vary from patient to patient. Swelling may actually increase the first three to four days before subsiding. Most of your swelling should resolve over the first two to three weeks. You can expect, however, to experience minor fluctuations in the remaining swelling over the next two to three months. To minimize swelling, follow these steps: keep your head elevated as much as possible for the first two to three weeks, avoid bending over or heavy lifting for the first three weeks, and limit prolonged sun exposure for the first two to three months.
Discoloration: Bruising, like swelling, will vary from person to person. Most bruising and discoloration should resolve over the first two weeks. With Dr. Hamilton’s permission, makeup can be applied 10 to 14 days after surgery.
Numbness: Your ears may be numb following surgery. This is normal and will subside over the coming weeks to months. Unusual sensations, pins and needles, and occasionally mild discomfort may occur as these nerves regenerate over time.
Depression: It is not uncommon for patients to go through a period of mild depression after cosmetic surgery. This typically occurs the second week after surgery, while some of the swelling and bruising persists, yet the patient is anxious to see a final result. Realize this is a temporary condition, and things will improve. Focus on diligently following the wound care as well as other activities to help divert your mind.
Restrictions:
Finally: The healing time for ear surgery is often less than expected, and the results are worth the wait. While swelling should be completely gone after four to six weeks, your healing will continue for the entire first year. I will follow you through this entire process, but be patient.
Please do not hesitate to contact our office.
Dr. Hamilton seeks to make facial surgery procedures available and affordable for everyone. To accommodate this, we accept cash, major credit cards, and personal checks for otoplasty procedures.
Dr. Mark M. Hamilton is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, affiliated with prestigious organizations such as the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS) and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS). His focus on facial procedures allows him to deliver results that are precise and naturally harmonious with your features. Patients throughout Indianapolis appreciate his artistic approach, personalized treatment plans, and dedication to ensuring the best outcomes.
With Dr. Hamilton, you’re not just undergoing surgery; you’re undergoing a carefully crafted transformation designed to enhance your natural beauty while preserving your unique identity.
If you’re ready to enhance the appearance of your ears, the first step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Hamilton. Dr. Hamilton will walk you through every step of the process, from the surgery itself to the recovery phase. Call today to schedule your consultation at our Carmel or Greenwood office, and take the first step toward achieving a more confident, balanced look.
