Otoplasty: How It Is Done, Benefits, Risks, and Recovery

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The otoplasty? also known as ear surgery? It is usually indicated to repair imperfections in the structure of the ears (arising from one's own birth and development or caused by an injury).

Marcelo Moreira, plastic surgeon, a full member of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery (SBCP) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), explains that otoplasty is any plastic in the ear, or ear. Learn more about the procedure, benefits, risks and price of surgery.

Procedure

Otoplasty, according to Moreira, can be restorative, aesthetic, as simple as closing a fissure or tear in the ear lobe or total reconstruction of it. The most common one is for 'ear flapping' correction.

As in the case of other surgeries, prior to the procedure, it will be necessary to undergo medical evaluation, perform examinations and follow the other recommendations of the surgeon. The procedure itself usually lasts two to three hours and can be summarized in the following steps:

• Anesthesia is performed, which may be local and intravenous sedation or general anesthesia, as recommended by the doctor.
• Generally, for the correction of flappy ears, surgical techniques are used to decrease the angle of the ear to the skull and remake (enlarge or create) the antihelix (or antihelix, fold inside the rim of the ear). ear)? which is also off in cases of wagging ears.
• It is also customary to reduce shell cartilage (deeper concavity of the outer ear).
• Incisions are usually made behind the ear. But in cases where they need to be in the front, they are made in the folds (to be hidden).
• A non-removable suture is also made internally to create and sustain the newly shaped cartilage.
• External stitches are used to close the incisions.

It is worth mentioning that this is just a step-by-step example, as each surgery has its particularities, according to the reason / objectives of the procedure.

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Marcelo Moreira comments that the result of otoplasty can be noticed immediately after surgery. "But he usually shows up after about a month," he says.

Benefits of Otoplasty

Moreira points out that surgery is indicated for children, adolescents or adults who have (and worry) with some ear deformity, such as, in the most common case, the wagging ear. In this sense, the main benefits of the procedure can be highlighted:

1. More harmonious appearance: Otoplasty provides a more natural appearance because it generates greater balance / proportion between the ears and the face.
2. Improvement of self-esteem: Otoplasty offers more than aesthetic benefits, as discomfort with ear shape, proportions, or position often impairs a person's self-esteem.

Improving self-esteem can be very important, even for children who, especially when they start socializing with classmates at school, become the target of jokes and nasty nicknames (due to the shape of their ears).

Surgery can usually be performed from the age of six to seven years on healthy children, since at this age the cartilage is completed but still more "moldable", which makes surgery technically simpler.

Scratchs

Moreira explains that, like all surgery, otoplasty has its risks and should be done in a hospital. ? The main risks are local, such as infection and bruise ?, comments.

Read also: Bichectomy: indications, risks and more details of the surgery that thin the face

Thus, the following may be cited as possible risks of otoplasty:

• Bleeding / Bruising
• Infection
• Bad healing
• Swelling
• General risks from anesthesia
• Pain
• Asymmetry
• Allergies (eg to tapes or other used material)

However, the trend, as in other surgeries, is that everything goes well when choosing a good professional. Therefore, it is essential to perform the procedure only with a specialist doctor by the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery.

Recovery

It is essential to follow all guidelines given by the plastic surgeon. Among them are usually:

• Wear a hair band. Moreira explains that the main thing in the postoperative period is to use a straight band for the first 15 days (day and night). And after that, use it only for sleeping for another 15 days.
• Properly take the medications prescribed by the doctor.
• Remain at rest for the first three days.
• Avoid foods that require? Too much force? to chew on.
• Do not wash your hair in the early days to not wet the dressing.
• Do not perform physical activities for at least the first three weeks or as directed by the doctor.

As always, following the doctor's recommendations is essential for the success of the surgery and also to avoid unnecessary problems and discomfort.

Otoplasty value

CRM does not allow the plastic surgeon to disclose values. In addition, the price of otoplasty varies greatly according to the doctor's experience and the particularities of the procedure that will be performed.

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However, according to reports of those who have already performed this procedure, the average price ranges from $ 3000 to $ 7000.

In addition, some health plans cover this procedure and there is also the Orelhinha Project, a social initiative that enables otoplasty in 16 cities in Brazil, from Ceará to Rio Grande do Sul? It's worth researching to find out if it's a possibility for you.

Otoplasty Testimonials

Nothing better than listening to the experience of people who have had surgery and can help you clarify doubts and take courage to do yours. Check out:

Otoplasty, by Jana Taffarel

Jana tells all the details of her surgery, from pre to postoperative, and takes the main doubts about it. In addition, she gives you tips for choosing your doctor and finally deciding to have the otoplasty.

Read also: Hydrolipo: how it is done, risks and indications of surgery

All About My Otoplasty, by Mayara Costa

Mayara had her surgery for the Ear Ear Project, an alternative for whom the cost is a deterrent. In the video, she shares all the steps she completed until the day of the surgery and tells what she felt during the procedure itself.

My plastic surgery? Otoplasty, by Thays Gomes

Thays postoperative had some minor complications, such as ear rash and rejection of one of the internal points. She explained what she did to deal with these issues, as well as the full details of her surgery.

Otoplasty: How much does it cost? Recovery? By Nah Vilar

The video is very complete and in it Nah tells what his life was like before the surgery, what the average price he found when researching her city, how was the surgery and recovery.

Now just study the best possibility for you and get organized to do your otoplasty. Also get to know the benefits and clarify your doubts about blepharoplasty (or eyelid surgery).

COMPLICATIONS OF OTOPLASTY - DR. TANVEER JANJUA - NEW JERSEY (April 2024)