Philosophy
Perhaps the most anatomically complex element of the entire face, ears are important both functionally and aesthetically.
Dr. Cabin’s approach to aesthetic ear surgery pulls from his deep experience in complex ear reconstruction and even replacement, in patients born without one or both ears. His goal is lasting, subtle and natural results for patients interested in changing or rejuvenating ears.
Otoplasty refers to any surgery that repositions or changes the shape of a patient’s ears. Most commonly, it is used to describe the reduction of prominent ears (also referred to as “ear pinning”). Using minimally invasive, sometimes incisionless surgery, ears can be made more symmetric, more natural and/or more appropriate in their relationship to the scalp.
Dr. Cabin is particularly focused on children, teenagers and young adults with prominent ears. Through a quick surgery using hidden incisions, ears can be brought to a more natural position closer to the head, without any signs of surgery.
Using surgical precision, sterile technique, and local anesthetic, Dr. Cabin performs adult skin and cartilage ear-piercing in the office. After a full consultation, assessment and discussion, Dr. Cabin will review the piercing plan before proceeding. Going to a plastic surgeon ensures that the ear piercing will be as painless as possible, minimize risk of infection, and be placed perfectly using precise measurements.
Previous ear piercings can eventually become stretched, enlarged or even torn. Dr. Cabin performs quick and painless, micro-surgical repair of these abnormalities. In some cases, the piercing can be repaired to smaller size. Other times it is more appropriate to close a piercing, let it heal and re-pierce at a later date. After his assessment, Dr. Cabin will review the options and provide a customized treatment plan for any piercing abnormality.
Dr. Cabin is an expert in the repair of previously stretched or gauged ear lobes. Using local anesthesia and hidden incisions, Dr. Cabin can rearrange the previously elongated skin to re-create a normal and natural-looking ear lobe. Once recreated, and if desired, patients can proceed to get normal, lobe piercings at a later date, depending on their specific case.
Is Ear Surgery Dangerous?
Any surgical procedure comes with some inherent risks, including the possibility of infection, bleeding, pain or side effects from anesthesia. While acknowledging these risks, ear surgery is a relatively safe surgical procedure.
In addition to the more common surgical side effects listed above, there are a few additional considerations when planning to undergo ear surgery. While all of these side effects are possible, visiting a well-trained and experienced plastic surgeon greatly reduces the risk of any side effects or complications:
- A temporary change in skin sensation in the area around the ear,
- Scars that are larger than anticipated, or heal less than optimally.
- Lack of perfect symmetry between the two ears.
- A less than optimal cosmetic outcome.
- Need for revision surgery in the future, related to one or more of the above issues, or other issues not specifically discussed.
How Long Does it Take to Heal From Ear Surgery?
Most ear surgery is minor and done as an outpatient, meaning the patient will be able to go home the day of the procedure. Depending on the procedure performed, the patient’s ears will be carefully bandaged to protect them and support recovery. For otoplasty (ear-pinning) in particular, once the bandages are removed, the patient will be asked to wear a headband over the ears while sleeping for several weeks.
During this time, it is normal to experience some itching, swelling, numbness, and discoloration of the ears. Once the headband is no longer needed at night, the healing process is mostly complete. However, each patient has a different experience following ear surgery, and it is important to follow the surgeon’s post-care instructions precisely for optimal results.
How Much Does Ear Surgery Cost?
Ear surgery is a very broad term used to describe a variety of different types of procedures in, as seen above, some of which cannot be done in the office and require the safety of an operating room. This variance means that it is difficult to estimate exactly how much ear surgery will cost, as it will differ for each individual patient.
For an accurate estimate of procedure cost, contact Dr. Cabin for an ear surgery consultation. This consultation is required to develop a custom treatment plan, which will inform procedural cost.