Ear Surgery in Houston, TX

Ear surgery (also called otoplasty, ear pinning, and ear reshaping) is usually done to set prominent ears back closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears. Otoplasty can also improve the shape and position of your ears. If your ears protrude more than normal, surgery can reposition or create an absent curve to set them closer to your head. At his practice in Houston, board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Rafi Bidros, is experienced in many advanced techniques that improve the physical appearance of the ears to help children, teens, and adults have ears that match their face and head, so they can feel more confident and avoid teasing. Your ears may be naturally too large, too small, oddly placed, stick out, or have other aesthetic concerns created by a trauma to the ears that altered the shape or position.

Ear reshaping surgery can be performed on people of all ages; however, it is extremely common among children and is recommended before reaching elementary school. By age six, this surgery is safe to be performed on a child. If you are frustrated with the appearance of your ears because they are misshapen or protrude outward, otoplasty (ear surgery) may be the ideal solution to attain a natural-looking appearance. Sufferers of torn, stretched, or damaged earlobes may also be a candidate for cosmetic ear surgery.

If you are unhappy with the size or shape of your ears, a custom otoplasty (ear pinning) procedure in Houston, TX, at MyBodyMD could help you or your child reach a new level of self-assurance with advantages like:

• Readjusts ears that stick out to sit more flatly against the head
• Boosts confidence
• This can be done for children as young as 5 — 7
• Brings about more natural-looking ears
• Minimizes the prominence of excessively large ears
• Focuses on a broad assortment of ear concerns
• Improves congenital ear anomalies
• Otoplasty (ear pinning) is harmless and effective
• Fixes damage after a serious injury

The supporting cartilage tissue of the ears is reshaped and removed as needed through incisions placed behind the ears. Dr. Bidros will adjust the size, shape, and position of the ears to best meet your needs and cosmetic goals. In children, the cartilage is usually soft enough to be manipulated and contoured, but adults may need cartilage removed or repositioned. Most of the scars will be concealed in the natural skin crease and should be almost invisible if proper scar care treatment is followed at home.

Ear surgery is usually performed as an outpatient procedure and if your child is young, Dr. Bidros recommends general anesthesia, so the child will sleep through the operation. For adults, either local or general anesthesia is typically used. Ear surgery usually takes about 2 hours and the specific technique will depend on the problem. After surgery, the patient may be instructed to wear gauze dressing or bandage for a few days or up to several weeks to ensure that their ears heal in their new, corrected position. Stitches are usually removed by Dr. Bidros or dissolve on their own in about a week.

Ear surgery is often recommended for children as they near total ear development at age five or six. Correction of the ears prior to the child entering school helps eliminate potential psychological trauma from the teasing of classmates. Adults may also have their ears reshaped as there is no upper age limit for this surgery.

The earlobe surgery may help the following conditions:

• Stretched earlobes
• Torn earlobe
• Mega or large earlobes
• Distorted earlobe from prior surgery
• Aging earlobe
• Earlobe crease

Most ear surgery incisions will be made in the back of the ear where it meets the head in the folds of the ear. Dr. Bidros takes great care to make incisions where they will be the least visible or blend well into the skin when the scars are fully healed.

The results of ear surgery usually last for life, but in the event of trauma, a touch-up surgery can be scheduled to restore the shape of the ears.

If you are considering ear surgery for yourself or your child, it's important to schedule a consultation with an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon like Dr. Rafi Bidros. During a consultation, we'll discuss your concerns and recommend the best treatment plan moving forward. With our expertise in advanced ear reshaping techniques, MyBodyMD can help you achieve natural-looking ears that complement your face. Contact us in Houston, TX to schedule an appointment today.