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Otoplasty

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Plastic Surgery for Earlobe Gauging – A Unique Case of Ear Reshaping or Otoplasty

I just finished one of the more unique cases of ear reshaping, or otoplasty, in quite a while. This particular patient presented to our San Diego plastic surgery office desiring reshaping of her ears. She had her earlobe gauging, or stretching, many years ago that created a progressively larger hole in her ear. After many years of this, she finally decided to remove the earlobe gauges and have her ears reshaped. Below left is a... Continue Reading
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Ear Plastic Surgery Reshaping

One of the most dramatic views to compare when looking at before and after ear plastic surgery photos is this base view. It is always nice to confirm just how much change in the shape of the ear has been accomplished with otoplasty. For instance, this San Diego ear reshaping patient had ears that were fairly prominent in terms of sticking out from the side of the head. On this base view of her ears,... Continue Reading
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Combining Facelift Surgery With Otoplasty (Ear Reshaping)

I just finished two surgeries in the last two days with both patients undergoing combined facelift surgery with otoplasty (ear reshaping). It just so happens that both of these patients from San Diego desired reshaping of their ears as well as facial rejuvenation of the lower face and upper neck. In both cases, we were able to easily reshape the ears in the midst of the face lift procedure. When performing a facelift surgery, we have... Continue Reading
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Can Ear Reshaping, or Otoplasty, Be Performed on a 10-Year-Old?

The answer to this question is - absolutely. In fact, many patients who have ear reshaping or otoplasty done for prominent ears have it done at 5-6 years old. Cosmetic reshaping of the ears can be done as early as this age because the ear is essentially fully formed by that point. It is also good timing because many parents do not want their child subject to any unwanted attention as they become integrated into... Continue Reading
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How Long Do I Need To Wear Bandages After Ear Reshaping?

I get asked this question all the time by my patients undergoing ear reshaping, or otoplasty, here in San Diego. I recently developed a new online ear reshaping tutorial that you can reference to help answer this question and many others. But, in short, I recommend my San Diego ear reshaping patients wear their initial bandage for 1-2 days. This is usually a bulky, gauze wrap that helps compress the newly reshaped ears to prevent... Continue Reading
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Ear Reshaping/Otoplasty Debate Over Dissolvable Versus Permanent Sutures

I have seen this issue arise in a number of online forums regarding otoplasty, or ear reshaping. My personal opinion as a facial plastic surgery expert is that permanent sutures are a better choice when it comes to a majority of the ear reshaping process. Cartilage has what we call 'memory' in that if you reshape the cartilage with a temporary measure (or absorbable suture) it is likely to go back to its original shape... Continue Reading
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San Diego Otoplasty Update

This was a great example of otoplasty, or ear reshaping, in an ethnic patient from San Diego who desired to have his ears reshaped for excess prominence. Overall, however, he did not wish to have a significant change. In fact, a majority of what we did during his ear reshaping procedure involved his lobule and lower auricle. As you can see in his photo series below, it was the lower half of his ear that protruded... Continue Reading
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Otoplasty (Ear Reshaping) Primer

The Hilinski Clinic in San Diego, CA, has now developed an otoplasty primer for any patient considering ear reshaping. The otoplasty primer was written in simple language that is easily understandable for those of you with minimal to no medical knowledge. The otoplasty primer starts off with an overview of the relevant anatomy involved with ear reshaping and transitions into more specific information regarding the actual procedure and recovery process. If you or anyone you... Continue Reading
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Unilateral Otoplasty

This otoplasty patient of mine was seen in follow-up evaluation just recently and is a great example of how otoplasty, or ear reshaping, can be done for patients who have only one ear that is prominent. This male patient presented to our office with a chief complaint that his left ear has always stuck out further than his right. Indeed, his left ear was clearly less developed than his right and was definitely more prominent.... Continue Reading
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Do I Have to Be Careful With My Ears All my Life Following Otoplasty?

We get this question from potential otoplasty, or ear reshaping, patients quite commonly. Do I need to be careful with my ears for the rest of my life following the surgery? The answer is no. Fortunately, otoplasty is done using permanent sutures to reshape the ear. Once the healing process is completed around 3-4 months out, there is sufficient scar tissue to maintain the shape of the ear permanently. It will take upwards of one... Continue Reading
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Is It Normal to Have My Ear Look Overcorrected After Otoplasty Procedure?

Question: Is it normal to have my ear look like it is overcorrected after having an otoplasty? Answer: The answer to this is – yes. It is entirely normal and even expected that the ear(s) looks much closer to the surface of the head early on after otoplasty, or ear reshaping. The cartilage of the ear has what is termed ‘memory’ that gives it a tendency to go back to its original position. This is... Continue Reading
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Are There Visible Incisions With Otoplasty (Ear Reshaping)?

In essentially all cases of routine otoplasty for prominent ears the incisions (skin cuts) are hidden completely behind the ear. Although some plastic surgeons still make incisions in front of the ear, I have been quite successful with keeping our incisions behind the ear. My otoplasty technique involves an incision made in parallel with the attachment of the ear to the scalp. This type of approach provides me sufficient exposure to reshape the entire ear... Continue Reading

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