Ear Surgery
Ears that stick out too far or have an odd shape can be a source of embarrassment for children and adults alike. Having oversized or small ears can be a problem, as well. Ear surgery, or otoplasty, can address issues that contribute to low self-esteem by reducing the protrusion of the ear away from the head or correcting abnormalities due to injury or genetics.
In most cases, ear surgery is performed on its own. However, it can be combined with other procedures, such as chin and cheek implants.
To find out if you are an ear surgery candidate, contact us to schedule your consultation.
Why We’re Nashville’s Top Choice
- Stephen Davis is an experienced plastic surgeon with certification from the American Board of Plastic Surgery. He is also a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.
- Nashville plastic surgery clients have chosen Dr. Davis for their procedures for more than 20 years.
- Our practice makes sure you are safe and comfortable throughout your plastic surgery journey.
Is Ear Surgery Right for You?
Most often, ear surgery is performed on children between the ages of four to fourteen. However, otoplasty is not limited to children and may also be performed on older patients. Ideally, patients should be in good overall health, not have any conditions that impair healing and have realistic expectations for their procedure.
Individuals with large ears and for those with congenital (birth) irregularities that detract from their appearance often benefit from otoplasty. Additionally, individuals with ears that exhibit abnormal traits due to their genetic make-up or an accidental injury, such as losing an ear or part of an ear, are also good candidates for this corrective surgery.
Ear surgery can involve a variety of techniques, including:
- Pinning the ears back when they stick out too much
- Correcting folded ear tips
- Reshaping the earlobes
- Enhancing small ears
- Repairing damage from an accident
- Eliminating pointy ears
- Correcting body modifications that are no longer wanted
During Your Ear Surgery
Dr. Davis performs ear surgery at The Atrium, a specialty operating facility at Centennial Hospital. Ear surgery is commonly performed under general anesthesia for children and local anesthesia for adults.
How the procedure is done will depend on what is being corrected. Most ear surgeries take about two hours. After surgery, you will be monitored but most likely will go home the same day.
Ear Surgery Recovery
After the surgery is completed, bandages will applied to keep the area clean, and to secure the ear in place during the intial healing phase. The bandages are usually removed within a week and replaced with smaller dressings.
For the first week after surgery, it is best to take off from work and other activities to rest and recover. If you are a side sleeper, you will need to adjust to sleeping on your back until you are healed. Be sure to listen to your body and do not push yourself. Everyone heals differently, so your healing time may be longer or shorter.
Ear Surgery Results
The initial changes to your ears may be apparent immediately following surgery. However, the swelling and bruising may mask the final results. Residual swelling can linger for months, though, it should not have a negative impact on your appearance.
The results of more extensive ear surgery and reconstruction may appear in stages over time.
Take the Next Step
If there is something about the look of your ears that is bothering you, ear surgery may be able to help. Contact us today to schedule your one-on-one ear surgery consultation with Dr. Davis.
Ear Surgery FAQs
There is a lot of variety in the cost of ear surgery based on what is being done. For example, pinning the ears back is quick, simple and cheaper as a result. On average, the cost of cosmetic ear surgery is roughly $3,000, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
However, this price does not include all the associated fees and extra expenses that come with surgery. Anesthesia, medication and facility fees, among others, are additional. If you are worried about making an ear surgery work with your budget, ask us about our financing options.
Ear surgery in Nashville is relatively common, and that means you may find a lot of surgeons in your search. Start with analyzing their online presence. Look at their certification and experience performing otoplasties, and then select two to three to meet with. At your consultation, see who makes you feel the most comfortable, and take time to look at their ear surgery before and after photos, so you know if their results match your expectations. Then, schedule surgery with the doctor who seems to be the best fit for you.
When we schedule your ear surgery, we will go over all the preparation steps. Expect this to include bloodwork, avoiding smoking and certain medications and fasting for 8 hours before your procedure. If you are ever uncertain about your surgery prep, we encourage our clients to call and ask.
Telephone No.615-327-7407
