Ear Surgery in Los Alamitos, CA

Ears that appear to protrude outward, are asymmetrical or misshapen, or look unnaturally big can negatively impact your self-esteem, especially when young. Otoplasty (ear surgery) is a procedure that helps to correct the size, position, or proportion of the ears to result in a normal appearance. Triple board-certified plastic surgeon William P. Aiello in Los Alamitos, CA has helped many women, men, and children to move past their embarrassment of exposing their ears by undergoing this surgery. Dr. Aiello also performs earlobe repair surgery, which is commonly requested by those who wish to correct their earlobe gauging. No matter the cosmetic issue, otoplasty at Ocean Plastic Surgery Center allows a patient to proudly show their face at any angle with newfound confidence. If you or your child are worried about ear shape or size, make an appointment with Dr. Aiello to find out about your options for ear surgery.

Ear surgery can be performed at any age; however, it is often most common among children and is recommended before the start of elementary school but after the age of six. This is when their ears have reached full size, and the procedure is safe and effective to be completed on a child. If you feel embarrassed from the size of your ears or because they are misshapen or protrude outward, otoplasty can help you obtain a normal appearance.

Sufferers of a torn, stretched, or damaged earlobe may also be candidates for ear surgery. Whether heavy earrings have damaged your earlobes or they just don’t look as good as they did when you were younger, earlobe repair surgery can restore them to their previous state. Most commonly, earlobe repair is done to correct the aftermath of a body modification trend known as earlobe gauging. Some people who used to like this look have grown up and entered the workforce or military, and they are seeking to have their ears back to normal.

Ear pinning, or a set-back otoplasty, is performed to reduce the prominence of ears that stick out too much from the head. If one ear is positioned higher than the other, ear repositioning can create symmetry. Large, oversized ears can be addressed alone or in conjunction with other ear issues. 

Ear reshaping surgery is performed using anesthesia, either general or IV sedation. Most often, the incision is placed around the back portion of the ear or within the inner folds. During this procedure, cartilage will be manipulated to create a new contour and natural-looking appearance. It's generally common for each ear to be addressed during the procedure to make sure they appear symmetrical. After the procedure, the incisions are safely stitched together with sutures and wrapped so they are protected. 

For earlobe repair for gauging, the lobe needs to be reshaped. This is usually done under local anesthesia. The skin inside the area where the gauged earring was placed has to be reopened and then stitched back together to heal closed. 

Once the procedure is finished and you are released to leave our surgical center, you will heal and rest at home. Dr. Aiello or a member of his team will send you home with instructions for recovery. It's very important to not pick at or touch your ears. Also, you should not lay on your ears; instead, sleep propped up for the first few days. Dr. Aiello generally wants to see his otoplasty patients for a follow-up within 3 – 5 days. At this time, Dr. Aiello will take off the coverings and check you or your child's surgical results. The outcomes are visible right away, and the progression of results will continue to improve as the ears heal.

How much does ear surgery cost?
Costs for ear surgery will be based on what's being done (ear pinning, shaping, earlobe repair, or a combination of these). Once Dr. Aiello understands your issues, he will make your treatment plan and estimate expenses. In order to concentrate on getting the outcomes that you want rather than prices, Ocean Plastic Surgery Center takes several payment types, and a member of our team can help you obtain low-interest financing.

Will the results of ear surgery last?
Normally, the ears grow faster than other areas of the body and face, which is the reason why ear surgery can be done on younger patients with long-term outcomes. Dr. Aiello will examine the ears and then talk about what to expect, as well as how long your results may last. While the body and face can change dramatically from gravity and age, the impact on the ears is usually minimal. In the event there are significant modifications to your ears because of an injury, another surgery can be done.

How old should my child be to consider otoplasty?
Typically, kids about 5 – 6 years old are perfect candidates for ear surgery. Although the ear is generally fully grown by this time, the tissue and cartilage are still malleable, which makes it easy to change. This age is also great as it's before they begin school or early in their schooling so they can avoid teasing from their classmates. Even though a lot of ear surgery patients are young children, Dr. Aiello also performs otoplasty on adults.

Do I need to have both ears done or just one?
The most common problems, such as ears that are oversized or stick out, occur in both ears, which means both will need to be fixed. During ear surgery, Dr. Aiello will adjust both ears to make them as symmetrical as possible. However, if just one ear has to be altered, the shape and size will be adjusted to mirror the untreated ear. When he creates your surgical plan, Dr. Aiello will tell you if one or both ears need to be corrected.

What about fixing stretched or torn earlobes?
The trends of ear gauges and big earrings are making earlobe reconstruction a popular operation at Ocean Plastic Surgery Center. If you're considering getting earlobe reconstruction or repair, schedule an appointment with Dr. Aiello. He will analyze your ears and then explain what might be done in order to repair your earlobes.

Though ears are not very big, an unusual size, position, or shape may make a significant difference in your appearance. Otoplasty (ear surgery) may help your child avoid being teased by classmates or help you if you have always felt unhappy with your ears. Call Ocean Plastic Surgery Center in Los Alamitos, CA to schedule a consultation with Dr. Aiello and get more information about surgical ear reshaping. Our team looks forward to helping you achieve a look you will love, as well as the confidence to show it off.