Otoplasty in Columbus: Reshaping Ears for Natural Symmetry and Confidence
Otoplasty, commonly known as cosmetic ear surgery or ear pinning, is a procedure to reshape prominent or protruding ears. While otoplasty is most often performed on children between ages 5-14, many adults also choose to have the surgery later in life. Board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Stephen Nogan is a skilled otoplasty specialist, helping patients in Columbus, OH achieve natural-looking, symmetrical ears.
Otoplasty at a Glance
Areas of improvement
Ears
Results will Last
Permanently
Recovery Time
7-10 days
Recovery Process
Some swelling and bruising expected for 1 week. Wearing a headband while sleeping for 6 weeks improves results.
Why Consider Otoplasty?
Ears that stick out (protrude) or are overly large or asymmetric can be a source of self-consciousness and insecurity, especially in children who may face teasing or bullying. Otoplasty can help to:
- Reposition prominent ears closer to the head
- Reduce the size of large ears
- Reshape ear structure for improved symmetry
- Boost confidence and self-esteem
Parents often choose to treat protruding ears in their children during the early school years to avoid longer term potential psychological impact. However, there is no age limit on otoplasty – the procedure can be performed on teenagers and adults who are in good health.
What Does Otoplasty Involve?
Dr. Nogan will tailor the otoplasty technique to your specific ear structure and cosmetic goals. Generally, the procedure involves:
- Incisions: A small incision is made behind the ear to access the cartilage.
- Cartilage reshaping: The ear cartilage is reshaped, folded, or removed as needed to achieve the desired contour and position. Internal, permanent sutures help maintain the new shape.
- Closing incisions: External stitches close the incision. Even when only one ear appears prominent, surgery is usually performed on both ears for optimal symmetry.
Children are typically placed under general anesthesia for the procedure, while a local anesthetic may be used for teenagers and adults. Otoplasty is an outpatient procedure and takes 1-2 hours on average.
Otoplasty Recovery and Results
After otoplasty, the ears will be covered in bandages to hold and protect them in the new position. Most patients experience some discomfort, swelling and bruising in the first few days, which can be managed with pain medication.
It’s important to avoid putting pressure on the ears and to keep the head elevated. A soft headband must be worn while sleeping and exercising for about 6 weeks to prevent the ears from folding and to maintain the new shape.
Most children can return to school after 3-7 days, while adults may return to work in 2-3 days. Contact sports and strenuous activities must be avoided for at least 6 weeks.
Final otoplasty results will be visible once swelling has fully subsided. With proper care, the ears will maintain their new shape permanently. While perfect symmetry between the ears isn’t likely, most patients are very pleased with their ear reshaping results and report a boost in self-confidence.
Otoplasty Cost in Columbus, Ohio
The cost of otoplasty in Columbus ranges from $3000 to $5900, depending on the surgical technique and type of anesthesia used. An exact quote will be provided during your consultation with Dr. Nogan.
To learn more about otoplasty and find out if you’re a candidate, contact Columbus Facial Plastics at The Sullivan Centre to schedule a consultation. We look forward to helping you love your ears!
