It is common to be unhappy with the appearance of your ears. Many people feel their ears protrude excessively from their head, disrupting the symmetry and balance of their face. This can impact self-esteem, confidence, and overall quality of life.
If you are struggling with the appearance of your ears, men and women in Mansfield can come to us to discuss ear pinning, or otoplasty. This facial plastic surgery procedure reduces the prominence of ears by removing excess cartilage to correct their shape, size, or position. Double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Matthew H. Steele, MD helps you understand what to expect from this procedure so you can move forward with confidence.
Otoplasty—also known as ear pinning or ear reshaping—is a cosmetic surgical procedure that alters the structure of the outer ear (auricle) to improve its appearance. It can address issues such as prominent ears, large or small ears, or abnormally shaped ears. These issues are often congenital, but sometimes they can occur as a result of injury.
The primary goal of the otoplasty procedure is to enhance long-term facial harmony and boost self-confidence for Mansfield patients. Dr. Steele uses advanced techniques that are highly customizable, enabling him to tailor the procedure to your personal desires.
Dr. Steele may perform your procedure under local anesthesia for less complicated procedures, or perform your procedure under general anesthesia at our accredited surgical facility if necessary. An incision is made on the back of the ear which exposes cartilage that can be removed and reshaped. You will return home after your otoplasty procedure with a dressing over your ears and a protective cup to use while sleeping.
Patients in Mansfield can expect otoplasty recovery to take a few weeks. During this time, avoid heavy lifting and strenuous activity. You can remove your dressing after a week, and you should use the protective cup while sleeping for the first month. During your recovery, you may experience mild itching, swelling, and numbness around the incision, which is normal and should subside as you heal. Our team will schedule you for regular follow-up visits to ensure the ears are healing as expected.
Otoplasty is commonly performed on both adults and children—the youngest candidates will be around 8 years old, as the procedure cannot safely be performed until the patient’s cartilage has fully developed.
While many people use this surgery to address prominent ears, it can also correct pronounced asymmetry between the ears. By pinning the ear(s) back, asymmetry becomes less apparent. If you are struggling with either prominent or asymmetrical ears, you may be a candidate for this procedure. Ideal candidates will be non-smokers in good overall health, with no uncontrolled medical conditions, as this can have a negative effect on healing.
If you live in Mansfield, the best way to find out if you are a good candidate for otoplasty is by scheduling an initial consultation at our office. Dr. Steele will discuss your medical history, current state of health, and aesthetic goals for treatment. He will then determine your eligibility and create a customized treatment plan that satisfies your cosmetic concerns.
If you are concerned by the size or shape of your ears, contact us today to set up a consultation with Dr. Steele to learn how he can help. The insecurity that comes with having protruding ears can be difficult for many, and we are here to help you find personalized solutions that restore your confidence. Prospective otoplasty patients in Mansfield should call us now to set up a consultation.
