Questions About Otoplasty

    NEW YORK, NY, March 31, 2011 /24-7PressRelease/ -- What is otoplasty?

Otoplasty is a plastic surgical procedure in which your ears are reshaped and reduced in size. Also known as "ear pinning," otoplasty reshapes the cartilage in your ears to give them a natural look that is more suited to the contours and size of your entire head.

Can children have otoplasty surgery?

Children as young as six years old can have otoplasty surgery. It is not recommended that children have otoplasty prior to this age because their ears are still developing. Teasing and name-calling can have a tremendously negative affect on your child's emotional health. Children with overly large ears can benefit from otoplasty, enabling them to focus their attention on things that should matter to a child like school work and play.

How long does otoplasty surgery take?

Several factors will go in to determining the length of your otoplasty procedure. In general, otoplasty takes one to two hours per ear. The actual amount of time your surgery will require will be discussed with you during your initial consultation with a board-certified plastic surgeon.

How long does it take to recover from otoplasty surgery?

Full recovery from otoplasty surgery generally takes up to two weeks. During the first few days, discomfort, swelling, and bruising are normal. Pain can be reduced with either prescription or over-the-counter pain relievers. Swelling and bruising will reduce on their own within the first 10 days. Work and school can be resumed within four days, and a regular exercise routine within 14 days.

Will otoplasty produce visible scarring?

All surgical procedures will produce some scarring. With otoplasty, the incisions are hidden in the natural folds of your ears. This helps reduce visible signs of scarring. Patients who are prone to scarring should discuss this with their surgeon during their initial consultation. Carefully selecting an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon can help reduce instances of highly visible scars.

Will otoplasty affect my hearing?

Otoplasty is performed on the outside of the ear. Because the middle and inner parts of the ear are left untouched, there should be no interruption with regular hearing functions.

If you live in or around Westchester, Long Island, or New York, New York and have questions about otoplasty, please visit the website of board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Scott Newman at Advanced Plastic Surgery for more information at http://psurgery.com.

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