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Benefits Of Otoplasty

Benefits Of Otoplasty

For people experiencing large or protruding ears, otoplasty can be a highly effective and permanent solution. Ears that stick out, cauliflower ears, or malformations caused by genetics can all be addressed with a simple, minimally invasive, ear correction surgery.

This article explores the many transformative benefits of otoplasty, talking in detail about its advantages and addressing some of the most common queries patients have about cosmetic ear surgery.

The CREO Clinic’s Medical Director, Dr. Omar Tillo, is an otoplasty specialist – a double board-certified cosmetic surgeon who has performed pinnaplasties and ear reductions with consistently high patient satisfaction. His skill and experience allow him to make concise, artful adjustments to the shape of the ear.

Contact the CREO Clinic today to book a consultation with Dr. Tillo and discover the many benefits an otoplasty can bring.

What Is An Otoplasty?

An otoplasty is an ear surgery that alters the shape, size, or form of the outer ear. The CREO Clinic performs two main otoplasty procedures: ear pinning surgery and ear reduction surgery.

Ear Pinning

For many people, ears that stick out can be a long-held source of insecurity. Fortunately, there is a simple, pain-free ear pinning surgery that can help permanently address it. To flatten the protruding ears, Dr. Tillo will alter the shape of the ear cartilage and permanently pin the ears back to align them more closely with the side of the head.

This simple cosmetic surgery procedure can change your facial appearance and even result in a self-esteem boost. 

Ear Reduction

Ears can come in many shapes and sizes, but some people feel they have excessively large ears or misshapen ears. An ear reduction can help shorten or reshape the ears to make them more symmetrical or less noticeable. Dr. Tillo removes excess skin or cartilage to create the height and width of the ear best suited to the proportions of your face.

Whether you feel you have ear deformities or overly large ears, ear reshaping can help change your appearance and even boost your self-esteem. 

Reasons For Getting An Otoplasty

There are many reasons patients decide to undergo an otoplasty procedure, but in most cases, it is simply dissatisfaction with the size or shape of the ears. Here are some of the most common issues people had to address with otoplasty:

Fix Ears That Stick Out Too Far

One issue otoplasty works to address is prominent ears. There can be many causes for the protrusion, such as excess cartilage in the concha (upper ear) or genetic traits inherited from the parents. Another common cause is an underdeveloped antihelical fold – this is the ‘Y’-shaped piece of cartilage inside the larger ‘C’-shaped outer cartilage of the upper ear.

Ears That Are Not Proportional To Rest Of Head

Correct proportion plays an important role in the overall aesthetic of the head. Ears that are either too large or too prominent can make them seem out of step with the shape of your face. This kind of asymmetry can become distracting and a source of insecurity over time – a straightforward otoplasty surgery can bring your ears back into proportion with the rest of your head.

Repair Damage From Previous Ear Surgery

Should you find yourself dissatisfied with the results of the previous otoplasty, a revision procedure can be performed.

Dr. Tillo will assess the impact of your previous surgery and make adjustments to the skin and cartilage of the ear to help address your concerns and improve the aesthetic of the ears.

Benefits Of Otoplasty Surgery

Boost In Self Confidence

Our ears are an integral feature of our face, which means that any asymmetry or prominence can be extremely noticeable. This may create a sensitivity around the aesthetics of the ears, often affecting self-confidence in your looks.

Addressing these issues can help to give you more confidence in your appearance and build a sense of contentment with the symmetry and overall profile of your face.

Very Safe

An otoplasty is a non-invasive, extremely safe procedure. In the hands of a skilful surgeon, there are fewer risks relative to other corrective surgeries, especially as the surgery is typically performed under local anaesthetic.

Correction Of Prominent Ears

Ears that stick out from the side of your head can be a concern that lasts a lifetime if not corrected. Otoplasty is a straightforward surgery that can flatten prominent ears, and offer a permanent change in a boost to personal confidence.

Can Address Variety Of Issues

An otoplasty is a multifaceted procedure that can make repairs and alterations to a host of issues. Some of the most common concerns otoplasty can address are:

  • Protruding or prominent ears
  • Disproportionately large ears (macrotia)
  • Congenital malformations (E.g. cagot ear, cleft ear, cup ear or Stahl’s ear)
  • Ear malformations sustained through injury (E.g. cauliflower ear, torn/cut earlobe or cartilage)

Is Otoplasty Safe For Children?

The CREO Clinic does not treat patients under 18 years of age, so otoplasty is not currently available for younger patients. We advise making an appointment with a General Practitioner in order to seek advice regarding any outer ear concerns you may have for your child.

Who Makes A Good Candidate For Otoplasty?

Any adult with concerns about the shape or size of their ears can be a perfect candidate for otoplasty. However, there are some important criteria the CREO Clinic considers before recommending otoplasty:

  • Must be over 18 years old.
  • Must have realistic expectations of otoplasty results.
  • Must be in good physical and psychological health.

Before And After Results

How Much Does Otoplasty Cost?

At the CREO Clinic, otoplasty surgery begins from £3,900 when performed using local anaesthetic. For otoplasty using general anaesthetic or deep sedation, the price begins from £5,200. Earlobe repair begins from £990.

As all procedures at the CREO Clinic are bespoke to your individual needs, a full cost breakdown is only available after your first consultation with Dr. Tillo.

Should you wish to spread the cost of your otoplasty multiple instalments, our financing partner Chrysalis Finance offers 0% APR loans over 12 months for the full price of your surgery. Longer installments are available at varying rates.

What’s Included In The Cost?

Included in the cost of your procedure are the following:

  • Nurses’ and surgeons’ fees
  • Hospital fees
  • Treatment plan and preoperative assessment
  • Anaesthesia and anaesthetic fees
  • Follow-up assessments with Dr. Tillo after surgery

Not included in the cost of your procedure are:

  • Additional medical scans/tests
  • Prescription fees
  • Concierge fees

What To Expect During Otoplasty Surgery

The techniques used in an otoplasty vary depending on the type of procedure you require. For ear pinning, Dr. Tillo makes a small incision behind each ear and alters the cartilage as is necessary.

An ear reduction requires incisions into the main folds of the outer ear, removing as much cartilage or excess skin as is needed to create a more proportionate size.

Otoplasty Recovery Process

After your surgery, you should be comfortable returning home on the same day and then resuming work and other light activities after a few days. For most patients, a full recovery takes four weeks in total.

For the first week after surgery, you will need to wear a compression head bandage to keep swelling to a minimum. After the first week, you can switch to an elastic headband used only at night time.

Any contact sports or activities that can put pressure on or pull at your ears should be avoided for at least eight weeks. You should see the final permanent change to your ears as soon as the swelling has subsided – usually around six months after surgery.

How Long Do Otoplasty Results Last?

The results of your otoplasty are permanent. In some extremely rare cases, otoplasty alterations can require some minor revisions, but these are usually small adjustments whose results will not require further revisions.

Otoplasty FAQs

Does the NHS cover otoplasty?

Depending on the criteria of your local NHS trust, otoplasty is sometimes available on the NHS. However, this is generally more common for younger children with enlarged or protruding ears. Currently, waiting lists for otoplasty on the NHS can be extensive and require a wait of months or sometimes years. Choosing a private alternative can be faster and more convenient for patients.

How long does an otoplasty procedure take?

Otoplasty surgery takes between 1-3 hours, meaning you can generally go home on the same day.

Can I wash my hair after otoplasty?

You can start washing your hair again as soon as your bandages have come off – generally after one week. You should still take great care and try not to soak the incision sites for too long, as this can affect their healing.

When can I sleep on my side again after otoplasty?

It is important to avoid sleeping on your side for the first four weeks of your recovery – this is due to swelling at your incision sites. Once the swelling has subsided, you should feel comfortable returning to side sleeping.

What are the risks with otoplasty?

As with any surgery, otoplasty incurs some risk of complications, such as asymmetry, scarring, allergic reactions to anaesthetic, changes in sensation around the ear, over-correction, or poor contour and infection.

Does otoplasty leave a scar?

Otoplasty will leave a small scar, but this is usually well disguised either behind the ear or along the natural contours of the upper ear itself. Dr. Tillo takes great care to ensure scars are minimally visible.

Contact CREO Clinic Today To Schedule A Consultation

Book an initial consultation with Dr. Omar Tillo today to understand the many ways an otoplasty can benefit you. Dr. Tillo has performed countless successful otoplasty surgeries over his career, so you can feel sure you are in the hands of a skilled and highly experienced otoplasty surgeon.

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