The ears are often one of the first features that is noticed when it comes to an appearance of a person. Some people are born with ears that are “the right size” for their head while others are born with ears that overly large or they greatly stick out from the head to the point that is easily noticed by others. Patients that want to make a change in the size, shape or appearance of their ears turn to otoplasty to achieve the desired changes. Otoplasty, AKA ear pinning, is a cosmetic surgery that is performed to change the size or shape of the ears as well as correct defects or deformities that are present in the ears. In general deformities or defects to the ears can happen when a person is born or they can be the result of injury or trauma to the ears. Otoplasty can give ears a symmetrical look and also give them a look that is more aesthetically pleasing to the patient. Typical otoplasty patients are teens or adults that are not happy with the look of their ears. Otoplasty patients can also be children that are five or six years of age that are unhappy with the look of their large or protruding ears. Patients that want to alter the appearance of the size or shape of their ears often visit otoplasty ear surgery experts in many of the larger cities across the country, such as Houston, to achieve the changes they want to see in the appearance of their ears.
In order to identify the best doctors currently performing cosmetic ear surgery in Houston, our research team used the Cosmetic Town intelligent system to compile a list of the “Best Doctors Currently Performing Cosmetic Ear Surgery in Houston in 2019”:
Otoplasty starts when the cosmetic surgeon makes an incision behind the ear of the patient. The incision is made behind the ear so the cartilage of the ear will be exposed. Then, the surgeon removes any excess skin so the patient will enjoy the desired results after the cartilage is reshaped. After the incision is closed, if desired by the patient, the ear can also be repositioned in order to place it closer to the head.
Otoplasty surgery is classified into two techniques:
Babies can be born with ears that greatly stick out from the head or they can be overlay large in appearance. The parents of these babies can have ear molding performed when the baby is only a few weeks old. Ear molding is ideal for very young patients that have ears that have not unrolled or they have ears with rims that are “scrunched in”. Ear molding pushes the ear into a size and shape that is more aesthetically pleasing.
The final cost of otoplasty surgery in Houston, as well as other cities across the country, depends on the otoplasty technique used by the surgeon. The cost also varies according to any fees charged by the facility or the surgeon, the area of the country where the otoplasty surgery is performed and the amount of work that needs to be done to achieve the desired results. Over, the cost is anywhere from $3000-$7000.
The otoplasty recovery process starts with the head of the patient needing to be wrapped in heavily padded cotton bandages in order to protect the ears. Once these heavy bandages are worn for a few days, the patient will then wear a lighter bandage for a few more days. One week after the surgery, a soft headband will then be worn to help keep the ears in their new position. In addition, patients will be required to sleep with their head elevated in order to minimize any swelling after the surgery. In general, the full recovery period can last anywhere from four to six weeks.
Otoplasty results start to become visible once the swelling and bruising start to go down. Patients will continue to see improvements for up to twelve months. The final results of otoplasty are considered to be permanent.
Patients that desire a change in the appearance, size and shape of their ears need to schedule a consultation appointment with a board-certified surgeon that has experience in performing the various otoplasty techniques listed above. The surgeon will examine the ears of the patient to determine if the desired change can be made in the look, shape and size of the ears through otoplasty.
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