Otoplasty, or ear pinning surgery, is a very common procedures in the world of cosmetic surgery. Because the ears are such prominent features, they are often difficult to hide when people aren’t happy with the appearance. Patients usually find themselves dissatisfied with the shape, size, and width of their ears and/ or earlobes. Amongst men, Otoplastys are one of the most requested cosmetic surgeries because they are not easily concealed by their hair, and tend to have more wide set ears than women. Whether your goal is to remove cartilage or reshape one or both of your ears, it is important that you first see if you are a proper candidate for surgery. This can be determined within the first consultation with Dr. Lee.
Once it is determined to move forward with the Otoplasty, the preparation for the surgery begins. Dr. Lee will converse with the patient in the weeks leading up to the surgery in regard to preparations before, day of, and after surgery. Generally, some things to consider leading up to the surgery are to stop taking aspirin two weeks beforehand, as well as the discontinuation of any smoking or use of tobacco products so that the flesh on the ears will be at its healthiest. This will make it much easier for Dr. Lee to perform the task at hand. In addition to that, the patient will not be able to drive himself or herself home after the surgery and will have to make arrangements for someone else to do so as well as preparations for missing school or work in the coming weeks following the procedure. This is to ensure that the Dr. Lee’s work settles as best it possibly can.
The night before the surgery a light dinner is suggested. If undergoing IV anesthesia, the patient should not eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the surgery. Once the big day has arrived, the patient should wear comfortable loose-fitting clothing with no collars or restrictive material above the shoulders. Any patients with hair that reaches their ears are advised to braid or pin their hair back out of the way of their ears. Lastly, no jewelry of any kind should be worn around the neck or on the ears the day of the surgery.
Before the procedure begins, Dr. Lee will administer a local anesthesia to make the process completely painless. The reshaping of the ears should take anywhere from one to two hours depending on what is specifically being reconstructed.
Whether you’d prefer your ears pinned back for a more natural look or a reconstructed shape of your ears that better suits your facial features, Otoplastys are very effective at producing optimal results.
Dr. Raymond Lee is an award winning, double board certified facial plastic surgeon with expertise in facial rejuvenation under local anesthesia. He has been practicing in Orange County for over 10 years and has performed 4000 facial rejuvenation procedures under light anesthesia.
Dr. Lee has been voted The #1 Cosmetic Surgeon in Orange County by the OC Register. Dr. Lee wants you to “Experience Beauty, the most natural way”. Dr. Lee’s does not believe in the old traditional facelift. Over the course of his career he has mastered the art and science of facial rejuvenation with natural results, minimal sedation, and easy recovery. His signature “FACEology LIFT” (face and neck lift alternative) is the embodiment of all these elements and is what he is widely sought out for.
