ear reshaping/ otoplasty

Otoplasty is a relatively simple surgical operation that can be performed on adults and children above the age of five years. Otoplasty can reduce the size of the ears, position them closer to the sides of the head in cases where the ears can be seen to ‘stick out’, resulting in a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.

In children, the procedure is performed under general anesthesia. A well-concealed incision is placed behind the ear, and the cartilage is reshaped or removed to give the ear a more natural shape. Dissolvable stitches are used to close the incision, and the ears are covered by a dressing for about five days.

In adults, the procedure is performed under local anesthesia with sedation on the outpatient basis. Through the procedure is identical to the one performed on children, the surgical technique may differ depending on the needs of the individual patient.

For children, otoplasty is usually performed under general anesthetsia. For adults, the surgery is performed on an outpatient basis under local or twilight anesthesia, depending on individual circumstances. Your surgeon will be able to specify which type of anesthesia will be required in your individual case.

The results of Otoplasty are permanent.

Otoplasty is a surgical procedure that can significantly change the way you look and can have a psychological impact, so careful thought needs to be given prior to going ahead. At Cocoona, we ask for you to conduct a self-evaluation to help you assess if you are one hundred per cent ready, both physically and mentally, for Otoplasty surgery. You should ask yourself the following questions:

• Do I have realistic expectations about what Otoplasty can achieve?
• Do I know how I want my ears to look after surgery?
• Do I fully understand the surgical procedure, how long it will take and what I need to do after the surgery to promote healing and recovery?

Once you have clarity on the above, the next step is to find the right surgeon and clinic. These are of paramount importance.

You need a surgeon who is experienced in performing Otoplasty has a sound reputation and proven results. You should also look for a surgeon who will give you honest and realistic advice on what you can and can’t achieve with this procedure.

A good clinic is one that has an experienced and highly skilled surgical team, licensed aestheticist(s), well trained nursing staff, an excellent reputation, and a low complication rate. Of course, the clinic also needs to be licensed with the relevant authorities for the country or region it is situated in. At Cocoona, we tick all these boxes.

For an accurate cost assessment, you will need to book an initial consultation with our surgeon. As with almost any aesthetic procedure, the cost will depend on the following factors:

Treatment Area – The complexity of the surgery required. For example, a simple procedure to pin the ears back is likely to cost less than in cases where the ears need to be reshaped or a combination of corrections are required.

Surgeon’s Expertise – The surgeon’s fee is based on their experience. Obviously, a reputable surgeon who is established and has a successful track record will charge higher fees.

Clinic/ Hospital – Fees also depend upon the quality of the facility chosen for the operation.

Geographic Area – Depending on the city/ area you decide to have the surgery in, the cost is likely be different: clinics in larger metropolitan cities tend to cost more. You should bear in mind that the expertise of your consultant and your comfort factor with him or her should be one the most important considerations, much more so than the cost of the procedure. A cheap procedure could turn out to be an expensive proposition in the long run.

Once you are clear about your reasons for surgery and have decided to proceed, call us to fix an appointment. On the appointed day, the expert surgeon who will perform the surgery will consult with you. During the consultation, you should expect the following:

• Discussion about why you have opted for surgery and what your goals are in relation to the procedure
• Understanding your medical history
• Evaluating your health status
• The options available for your surgery
• An examination of the area to be treated, measurements (if relevant) and potentially, photography to record what the area looks like prior to the procedure being undertaken
• Explanation of the options, steps involved, future treatment, risks, and potential complications, if any

Feeling apprehensive before the surgery takes place is entirely normal. Be sure to discuss any fears or concerns you have with your surgeon and don’t hesitate to ask any questions related to the results you hope to achieve.

Being well informed is being well prepared. Apart from checking that your clinic and doctors have the necessary skills, knowledge and experience, here are some more areas that you should explore:

• How many years of experience do you have as a Plastic Surgeon?
• How many Otoplasty surgeries have you done?
• Where will the surgery be conducted?
• Is the clinic prepared and certified to undertake Otoplasty surgery?
• What are the most common complications experienced by your patients? And how were they handled?
• Do you have a “before” and “after” photo album of similar surgeries?
• Am I a good candidate for Otoplasty?
• What can I expect after the surgery?
• What precautions would I need to take before and after the surgery?
• How many days will I take to recover fully?
• What should I do for a quick recovery?
• Will the shape and appearance of the area to be treated change over time? If yes, how?
• What are the risks involved in this surgery?
• What treatment option/ technique will be used for me?

Please feel free to add any more questions that you wish to this list before your consultation.

After your initial consultation, you will need to make the final decision regarding your surgeon. Never choose your surgeon simply based on how much the treatment will cost. Instead, focus on the following:

License & certification – is the surgeon licensed and certified to conduct Otoplasty surgery by a reputable body?

Expertise & experience – the number of years of experience/ how many Otoplasty surgeries the surgeon has performed previously

Before/ after pictures – evidencing their capability of past performance

Clarity on possible results – whether they are providing you with realistic expectations and honest feedback

Professionalism & comfort factor – if you feel comfortable with the professionalism and manners of a surgeon, and feel you can trust him/her with your face then that’s the surgeon you should consider

Safety philosophy – if the surgeon is ready to put you at risk by recommending or agreeing to perform multiple unrelated surgeries and/or procedures on the same day or within a short period of time, you should refuse to proceed and go elsewhere.

Patient testimonials & reviews – A good reputation and a large number of positive patient testimonials and reviews on independent forums should be an important consideration in your process of choosing the right surgeon

Keep in mind that there are hidden costs in the long term and greater risks (including threat to life), associated with a surgery where costs, safety and skills are compromised. Always be wary of a plastic surgeon or clinic that is offering very low costs and/ or miraculous results.

After your initial consultation with the surgeon, once you are satisfied with the outcome of the ensuing discussions and have confirmed that you will go ahead with your chosen consultant, a date will be fixed for the procedure.

For children, Otoplasty surgery is performed under general anasthesia which requires an overnight stay in hospital. Adults usually have the surgery on an outpatient basis with local or twilight anasthesia. In the unlikely event of complications, an overnight stay may be required for outpatients, or inpatients may face a longer stay. Before you come in for your procedure, we recommend that you plan accordingly.

Here are some of the important steps that you must take before the procedure:

• Discuss all medication and vitamins that you regularly use with your consultant to see if you should stop taking them before surgery and, if so, for how long. For example, any medications and vitamins that interfere with your body’s blood clotting ability, such as Vitamin E, will need to be stopped completely prior to surgery.
• Smokers should quit at least two months prior to surgery; smoking interferes with the efficiency of blood flow to the skin which may have an impact on achieving optimal results and increase the risk of complications.
• You should be in the best possible health and at a stable weight; ensuring that you follow a healthy, balanced diet prior to surgery will help you to be in optimal physical condition to help promote the best outcome

Our surgeon and patient counselor will guide you thoroughly about what you need to do so that you are completely at ease and ready for surgery and beyond.

• The typical recovery period for Otoplasty is around two weeks.
• You should expect some discomfort and pain after the surgery. This will be controlled with a pain management plan, which will be explained to you by your surgeon, and you will be given a course of antibiotics to help avoid infection.
• For the first couple of days post-procedure, your ears may feel sore and you will need to wear a bandage around your head to protect your ears.
• Once discharged, you will need to have regular follow ups with your surgeon to check on your healing and care for the wound. For example, any stitches will be removed between five to ten days after the surgery.
• Most people will experience some bruising that lasts for approximately two weeks, after which they can return to work or school.
• You should expect to wear a head band at night for several weeks after the surgery to protect your ears while you sleep.
• You will need to avoid swimming for eight weeks and all contact sports for up to three months.