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The recovery process is crucial to any surgical procedure, including ear reshaping plastic surgery (otoplasty). The patient should take all precautions necessary during the recovery phase in a committed manner to allow for a safe and predictable healing process.

The surgeon will provide the patient with information on the expected downtime, post-operative care, maintaining of surgical drains, normal post-operative symptoms, and signs of potential complications.

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Bryson Richards provides otoplasty to patients in Las Vegas, NV, and surrounding communities.  

Early Post-Operative Phase

After the otoplasty, the patient will have dressing wrapped around the ear(s). The surgeon will evaluate the incision area and replace this heavy bandage with a lighter dressing. The patient should make sure that the dressing remains in place until the surgeon instructs otherwise.

The patient will generally be able to return home from the surgical venue on the same day. But they should arrange for someone responsible to drive them back home after the procedure.

The surgeon may also prescribe mild pain medications to ensure that the patient remains comfortable during the initial recovery phase.

Recovery Time Frame

The patient should ideally arrange for someone to help them at home, at least for the first 24 hours of the recovery period. In the initial week after the otoplasty, the patient should get adequate rest but perform short walks and light activities within the home to improve blood supply to the incision areas.

The patient should keep their head in an elevated position while resting to manage discomfort. They should not rest their head on the operated ear to prevent pain and throbbing. The surgeon will inform the patient when the dressing will be taken out and may prescribe an antibiotic ointment for the incision sites.

The patient will need to go to the surgeon’s office in around one week after their ear reshaping cosmetic surgery. The drains and sutures will be taken out at this time.

The recovery process for each patient is different. But most patients can resume their routine in around a week after the procedure. The final outcomes of the procedure will start manifesting in nearly two weeks. However, there will be minor improvements in the ears for up to one year as your ear’s shape comes to fruition.

Longevity of Results

Patients should not smoke and take specific medications such as blood thinners for many days before and after ear reshaping surgery.

This will reduce the risk of delayed healing and help enhance the recovery process. The results of otoplasty typically sustain for the patient’s entire lifetime unless there are any incidents that affect the shape and size of the ears.

Patients should visit the surgeon for their scheduled follow-up appointments and assessment in a dedicated manner. They should contact the ear surgeon promptly if they notice any abnormal changes in the ears or other symptoms.

Balanced Diet

A balanced diet comprises essential nutrients that help strengthen the immune system and reduce the risk of infection for a safe recovery process. The patient’s diet should contain adequate amounts of lean proteins such as chicken, fish, eggs, light cheese, and yogurt to enhance healing following the ear surgery.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Bryson Richards receives patients from Las Vegas, NV, and nearby areas for otoplasty.
If you would like more information on cosmetic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada plastic surgeon, Dr. Bryson Richards please contact us at 702.870.7070

Taking new patients from Las Vegas, Bullhead City,  Laughlin, Pahrump, Mesquite NV and surrounding areas.

Otoplasty, which is commonly known as ear pinning, is a plastic surgery procedure to reshape the ears creating a more appealing and proportionate facial appearance.

Various surgical techniques may be used to perform ear surgery, and the steps involved in the procedure can differ slightly based on the technique used.

During the pre-operative consultation, the surgeon will inform the patient on the otoplasty surgery and steps involved. The patient should unhesitatingly ask questions and make a judicious choice.

Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Bryson Richards provides otoplasty to patients in Las Vegas, NV, and surrounding locations.

Anesthesia

Otoplasty is a relatively less invasive procedure which can be undertaken only with local anesthesia and sedation for adult patients. However, children will typically undergo ear reshaping surgery under general anesthesia.

General anesthesia will be administered by an anesthesiologist or a certified nurse anesthetist, who will remain in the operating room throughout the procedure to oversee the patient’s response. The procedure is usually completed in less than two hours.

Incision and Cartilage Reshaping

After anesthesia, the procedure will commence with the surgeon making an incision behind the ear. They will place this incision in a discreet location to ensure that any future scarring is discreet. The incision will enable the ear cartilage to be exposed so that the surgeon can reshape it appropriately.

The surgeon will reshape the cartilage in an accurate and delicate manner to improve the symmetry and proportion of the ears. In case the ears are oversized, they may have to remove a substantial amount of cartilage. The surgeon may also remove sagging skin through the same incisions.

Ear Repositioning

If the ear is projecting far from the head, the surgeon will modify its position to be closer to the sides of the head after the cartilage reshaping is undertaken. This is known as ear pinning.

Cartilage sparing and scoring techniques and skin removal from the back of the ear will usually be involved in this step. The surgeon will individualize the techniques to accomplish the desired position and shape of the ears in a less invasive manner.

Incision Closure

After reshaping the ear, the surgeon will seal the incisions using traditional or absorbable sutures. They will also wrap the incision area in bandages temporarily.

Outpatient Procedure

The patient will be moved to a recovery area following the cosmetic surgery. After the initial effects of the procedure and anesthesia wear off, the patient may be able to go back home in a few hours.

They should arrange for someone responsible to drive them back home. For children undergoing otoplasty, the surgeon may recommend an overnight stay at the hospital for closer observation.

Otoplasty surgery may include additional steps if it is a reconstructive ear surgery to address a birth defect or to repair injuries such as burns, lacerations, or infected and torn piercings.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Bryson Richards receives patients from Las Vegas, NV, and nearby areas for otoplasty.
If you would like more information on cosmetic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada plastic surgeon, Dr. Bryson Richards please contact us at 702.870.7070

Taking new patients from Las Vegas, Bullhead City,  Laughlin, Pahrump, Mesquite NV and surrounding areas.

Otoplasty, also known as ear reshaping surgery, is a relatively less invasive plastic surgery procedure. But, some risks are inherent to any surgical procedure, including otoplasty.

The decision to undergo ear reshaping surgery is a personal one. Therefore, the patient should evaluate the potential benefits against the risks of the procedure to make a judicious choice.

During the pre-operative consultation, the surgeon will inform the patient of the possible risks and safety aspects of ear surgery to enable them to make an enlightened decision.

The patient will have to sign consent forms stating that they have a thorough understanding of the procedure, the alternative treatments available (if any) and the potential risks associated with the surgery.

If a child is undergoing the procedure, their parents or guardians will be responsible for making this decision. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Bryson Richards provides otoplasty to patients in Las Vegas, NV, and surrounding communities.

Bleeding (Hematoma)

In rare cases, the patient may experience bleeding in the wounds during or after their otoplasty procedure. The surgeon will try to minimize this risk by thoroughly determining whether the patient has any underlying health conditions.

They will also ask the patient to avoid taking any blood-thinning drugs, NSAIDs, and specific herbal supplements and vitamins for a few days prior to the procedure.

Blood Clotting

The formation of blood clots is another rare risk associated with ear reshaping cosmetic surgery. Patients with a history of clot formation will be at a higher risk.

The surgeon will assess the patient’s medical records to detect such issues. On their part, the patient should honestly reveal relevant medical information in the interest of their safety.

Asymmetry

Otoplasty can be undertaken in one or both ears. Regardless of the case, there is a risk of asymmetrical outcomes. Both ears are never identical or completely symmetrical. However, they should appear natural.

Infection

Every surgical procedure has an inherent risk of infection. The surgical facility should maintain a hygienic and sterile environment.

After the procedure, the patient should not expose the incision sites to contamination. In order to minimize the risk of infection after surgery, the surgeon may prescribe antibiotics to the patient.

Slow Healing

In a few cases, the post-operative healing may be slow, and the wound may heal poorly. The risk of slow healing is typically higher for smokers. For this reason, the surgeon will ask the patient to refrain from smoking for a specified duration before their otoplasty procedure.

Poor Anesthesia Response

Adults may undergo the procedure with local anesthesia and sedation while general anesthesia may be necessary to perform otoplasty on children. Some patients may experience an adverse reaction to anesthesia.

An anesthesiologist or a nurse anesthetist should oversee the patient’s response to the anesthetic during the surgery to detect any concerns early on.

Skin discoloration, numbness, unfavorable scarring, extended inflammation, allergy, and the possibility of revision surgery are other risks associated with ear reshaping surgery.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Bryson Richards receives patients from Las Vegas, NV, and nearby areas for otoplasty.
If you would like more information on cosmetic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada plastic surgeon, Dr. Bryson Richards please contact us at 702.870.7070

Taking new patients from Las Vegas, Bullhead City,  Laughlin, Pahrump, Mesquite NV and surrounding areas.

A patient seeking a cosmetic surgery procedure such as otoplasty should first gather as much information on the procedure as they can to make an enlightened decision.

At the time of the pre-operative consultation, the patient should unhesitatingly ask the surgeon questions and clear any doubts that they may have regarding the procedure.

The patient should ideally enlist all questions that they want to ask the surgeon and carry this list to the consultation.

A responsible surgeon will try to answer all the patient’s questions in a thorough manner and explain the benefits and limitations of the procedure. Board certified plastic surgeon Dr. Bryson Richards provides ear reshaping surgery to patients in Las Vegas, NV, and surrounding locations.

Essential Questions to Ask

• Am I a suitable candidate for ear reshaping surgery?

• What surgical technique would you recommend for my otoplasty surgery?

• Will my procedure be performed under local or general anesthesia?

• What will be the location of the incisions? Will it cause visible scarring in the future?

• What preparatory steps do I need to undertake for the procedure?

• Will the recovery process be painful and extended?

• What are the potential complications and side effects associated with ear reshaping surgery?

• Can I view otoplasty before and after pictures?

• If there is an emergency situation during the procedure or recovery period, is your practice appropriately equipped to manage it?

• Following the surgery, is it possible to make changes to the ears in the future?

Questions about Surgical Preparation and Procedure

Otoplasty Surgery Preparation

The surgeon will offer the patient detailed instructions on preparing for otoplasty plastic surgery after determining their candidacy. The patient will have to avoid smoking and discontinue certain types of drugs for a few days.

Scarring after Ear Surgery

The surgeon will make incisions in hidden locations, such as behind the ear where it links to the head, or within the inner ear folds. This will create minimal noticeable scarring. But the scarring may differ between patients depending on the extent of the otoplasty.

Procedure

Children have soft ear cartilage, which may prompt the surgeon to use splints to create new ear contours. This plastic surgery procedure will be undertaken with the child under anesthesia.

On the other hand, adult cartilage is hard. Therefore, ear reshaping surgery in adults may involve removing or repositioning ear cartilage after making a small incision in the ear.

Day of the Surgery

Otoplasty is usually undertaken on an outpatient basis. The patient should arrange for someone to drive them home after their otoplasty procedure. The surgery typically takes between one and two hours to complete.

Questions about the Cost

• What are the approximate costs of otoplasty at your practice?
• Does this estimate include the anesthesiologist’s fees and expenses related to the surgical venue?
• What are the cost for post-operative necessities such as prescription medicines and medical exams?

Questions about Insurance and Financing

If the patient seeks ear reshaping surgery to address birth defects, they may be eligible to receive coverage from the insurer.

But if the patient is not eligible for insurance coverage, they may consider loans from professional medical care financing firms. The surgeon’s team may be able to guide the patient on the various financing alternatives available to them.

Cosmetic surgeon Dr. Bryson Richards receives patients from Las Vegas, NV, and nearby areas for ear reshaping surgery.
If you would like more information on cosmetic surgery procedures and treatments performed by Las Vegas, Nevada plastic surgeon, Dr. Bryson Richards please contact us at 702.870.7070

Taking new patients from Las Vegas, Bullhead City,  Laughlin, Pahrump, Mesquite NV and surrounding areas.