Ear Surgery

Known as otoplasty, cosmetic ear surgery can contour the ear and lobe in a variety of ways. Ears can be brought closer to the head (commonly called ear pinning), reduced in size, or reshaped for more elegant profile. Deformed or absent ears can be reconstructed.

Ear surgery can involve a combination of moving, reshaping, adding or removing structural elements. The operation usually takes two to three hours and requires the surgeon to make a small incision behind the ear to expose ear cartilage.

Recovery

Surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis. Most patients will experience swelling and bruising that resolves after a week or so. A protective bandage is worn for around a week. Many patients also wear an elastic headband to hold the ear in place for a week or two. Most patients return to work or school and resume normal activity within a week.

View before and after patient photos

More information on ear surgery