All photos are displayed with patient consent.
What is Cosmetic Ear Surgery?
Cosmetic surgery of the ear, or otoplasty is usually done to set prominent ears back closer to the head, or to change the shape or reduce the size of large ears. The correction of protruding ears can be very rewarding for the patient, especially in children. Children with protruding ears are often teased by their peers, which can lead to serious psychological problems.
The best time to correct protruding ears is before the child enters school. The ear develops to its mature size early in childhood and most children can have corrective surgery between 5-7 years old. It is never too late to correct protruding ears and Dr. Joseph routinely performs this procedure on many adults as well.
Cosmetic Ear Surgery and Earlobe Surgery (Otoplasty)
Depending upon the specific nature of the ear deformity, excess cartilage may be removed or the cartilage is folded and repositioned. The surgery takes approximately 30-45 minutes per ear and is usually done in our office or an outpatient surgery center.
Depending upon the procedure, recovery is usually several days. The patient will wear a tennis type headband for several days and at night for another week. Female patients can hide the ear with long hair and may return to normal activities within 5-7 days. Generally patients must avoid strenuous exercise for 2 weeks.
Repair of Torn Earlobes
Earlobes can become stretched or torn from heavy earrings or from trauma such as catching an earring with a hairbrush, children pulling them by catching sweaters while pulling over the head, bath towels, phone cords, etc. Earlobe repair is easily done in the office with a simple 30-minute procedure with local anesthesia.
Earlobe Reduction
Like any other part of the body, some patients inherit or develop large earlobes. Many patients go their entire life, often getting teased, and not realizing that reduction is a very simple process. There are numerous ways of reducing large earlobes. These include removing a pie shaped wedge of tissue or recontouring the entire lobe. Earlobe reduction is easily done in the office with a 30-40 minute procedure per ear with local anesthesia.
Cosmetic Ear Surgery Before & After Photographs
Select a patient below to view more detailed pictures and information about the cosmetic ear surgery procedures performed by Dr. Joseph.
