Otoplasty in Portland, OR

Ears that appear to protrude and stick out, are asymmetrical or misshapen, or look oversized can affect your self-esteem, especially during childhood. Ear surgery is a cosmetic procedure that helps to correct the shape, size, and position of the ears to result in a natural appearance. Dr. Aric Aghayan is a board-certified plastic surgeon in Portland, OR who has helped many men and women to move past their anxiety of their ears with otoplasty. No matter the physical irregularity, cosmetic ear surgery at Après Plastic Surgery allows a patient to proudly show their face with confidence. If you or your child are worried about the size or shape of the ears, schedule an appointment with Dr. Aghayan to learn more about cosmetic ear surgery.

Otoplasty can be performed at any age; however, it is more common among children and is recommended prior to reaching elementary school. By six years of age, cosmetic surgery can be effectively performed to help the shape, size, or position of the ears. If you are self-conscious about the look and shape of your ears because they are misshapen or protrude outward, otoplasty can help attain a normal appearance. Adults with a torn or damaged earlobe may also be a candidate for cosmetic ear surgery.

Otoplasty is performed using general anesthesia or IV sedation. In many patients, the incision is placed behind the ear or within the inner ear. During this procedure, cartilage will be reshaped to create a smaller or larger appearance. Each ear will be addressed during otoplasty to make sure they appear even. After this, the incisions are secured with sutures and carefully bandaged so they stay protected.

When the procedure is over, you or your child will be released to recover at home. Dr. Aghayan or a member of his team will provide instructions for recovery. It’s very important to not touch, pick at, or scratch the ears. In addition, you should not lay on your side and instead, sleep upright for a few days. Dr. Aghayan typically likes to see his otoplasty patients back within a week — at this time, Dr. Aghayan will be able to remove the wrappings and assess you or your child’s results. The outcomes can be seen right away and the progression of results will continue to improve as the ears heal.

How much does ear surgery cost?
The cost of ear surgery will be based on what’s being done (ear pinning, shaping, earlobe repair, or a combination of these). Once Dr. Aghayan understands your issues and wants, he will make your treatment plan and estimate expenses. In order to concentrate on getting the outcomes that you want rather than prices, Après Plastic Surgery takes several payments and a member of our team can help you obtain low-interest medical financing.

Will the results of ear surgery last?
The ears typically grow faster compared to other areas of the body and face, which is the reason why ear surgery can be performed on younger patients with long-term outcomes. Dr. Aghayan will assess the ears and then talk to you about what to expect and how long the outcomes should last. While the rest of the body and face can change dramatically from gravity and age, the impact on the ears should be minimal. In the event there are significant modifications to your ears because of an injury, another surgery may be done.

How old should my child be to consider otoplasty?
On average, kids about 5 – 6 years old are perfect candidates for ear surgery. Although the ear is generally fully grown, the tissue and cartilage are still malleable, which makes it easy to reshape. This age is also great because it’s before they begin school or early in their schooling so that they can avoid being teased by classmates. Even though a lot of ear surgery patients are children, Dr. Aghayan also performs otoplasty on adults.

Do I need to have both ears done or just one?
Many issues, such as ears that are too large or stick out, occur in both ears, which means both will need to be corrected. During ear surgery, Dr. Aghayan will adjust both ears to make them as symmetrical as possible. However, if just one ear has to be altered, the shape and size will be adjusted to mirror the untreated ear. When he creates your surgical plan, Dr. Aghayan will tell you if one or both ears need to be corrected.

What about fixing stretched or torn earlobes?
The trend of large earrings and ear gauges are making earlobe reconstruction a popular operation at Après Plastic Surgery. If you’re considering getting earlobe reconstruction, schedule an appointment with Dr. Aghayan. He will analyze your ear and then let you know what may be done in order to repair your earlobes.

Even though the ears are not very big, the wrong shape, position, or size may make a big difference in your appearance. Ear surgery may help your child avoid getting teased by classmates, or help you if you’ve always felt self-conscious about your ears. Call Après Plastic Surgery in Portland, OR to schedule a consultation with plastic surgeon Dr. Aghayan and get more information about ear surgery. Our team looks forward to helping you achieve a look you will love, as well as the confidence to show it off.