Otoplasty, commonly referred to as ear surgery, is a procedure designed to correct and improve the appearance of the ears. Whether it’s to pin back protruding ears, reduce the size of large ears, or correct deformities, otoplasty can significantly change your self-esteem and overall appearance. Otoplasty is highly customizable. Surgeons can tailor the procedure to each patient’s specific needs and desired outcomes.
What is Ear Surgery Otoplasty?
Otoplasty is a cosmetic surgery aimed at altering the shape, position, or size of the ears. It is often performed on children and adults who are self-conscious about their ears’ appearance. The procedure can address a range of issues, from protruding ears to congenital deformities.
Benefits of Otoplasty
Improve Appearance: Provides a more balanced and proportionate look.
Increased Self-Esteem: Reduces self-consciousness and boosts confidence.
Minimal Scarring: Scars are usually hidden behind the ears.
Permanent Results: The outcomes of otoplasty are long-lasting.
Problems Solved by Otoplasty
Otoplasty can correct:
Protruding ears
Large ears (macrotia)
Asymmetrical ears
Congenital deformities like microtia
Ear injuries or deformities caused by trauma
Who is it For?
Otoplasty is suitable for:
Children aged 5 and older, when ears are nearly fully grown
Teenagers and adults who are unhappy with their ears’ appearance
Individuals with congenital ear deformities or those who have suffered ear trauma
Types of Otoplasty
1. Ear Pinning (Pinnaplasty)
Ear pinning, also known as pinnaplasty, is a common type of otoplasty aimed at reducing the protrusion of the ears. This procedure involves reshaping the cartilage so that the ears lie closer to the head. It’s particularly popular among individuals with prominent ears that stick out significantly.
2. Ear Reduction
Ear reduction surgery is performed to decrease the size of large ears. This procedure is often chosen by individuals who feel their ears are disproportionately large in relation to their head. The surgeon removes a portion of the cartilage and skin to achieve a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing ear size.
3. Ear Augmentation
Ear augmentation is a reconstructive procedure that involves adding tissue or implants to create or enhance the ear structure. This type of otoplasty is commonly used for individuals with congenital deformities such as microtia (underdeveloped ears) or those who have lost ear tissue due to trauma or surgery.
4. Earlobe Repair
Earlobe repair focuses on correcting issues with the earlobes, such as tears, splits, or stretched piercings. This procedure is often chosen by individuals who have damaged their earlobes through heavy earrings, accidents, or gauge piercings.
Combination Procedures
Otoplasty can be performed in conjunction with other cosmetic procedures, such as rhinoplasty (nose surgery) or facelifts, for comprehensive facial rejuvenation. Combining procedures can enhance overall facial harmony and provide more balanced and aesthetically pleasing results.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
Improved Aesthetics: Achieves a more natural ear appearance.
Surgical Risks: Includes infection, bleeding, and adverse reactions to anesthesia.
Asymmetry: Potential for minor unevenness post-surgery.
Scarring: Although minimal, some scarring may occur.
How is the Procedure Performed?
Otoplasty typically involves:
1. Anesthesia: The patient is given local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia to ensure comfort during the procedure.
2. Incision: The surgeon makes a small incision in the natural fold behind the ear. This strategic location helps to conceal any resulting scars.
3. Cartilage Reshaping:
Ear Pinning (Pinnaplasty): For protruding ears, the surgeon reshapes the cartilage by folding it back and securing it with permanent sutures. This brings the ears closer to the head.
Ear Reduction: If the ears are excessively large, the surgeon removes a portion of the cartilage and skin to reduce their size.
Ear Augmentation: For patients requiring additional tissue, the surgeon may use implants or cartilage grafts to create a more defined ear structure.
4. Stitching: Once the desired shape and position are achieved, the surgeon closes the incision with sutures. These stitches may be dissolvable or require removal after the healing process.
5.Bandaging: The ears are covered with bandages to protect the surgical site and support the new ear position during the initial healing phase.
Recovery and Longevity
Recovery Time: Most patients return to normal activities within a week.
Bandage Removal: Bandages are typically removed within a few days, and a supportive headband may be recommended to wear at night for several weeks to maintain the ear’s position.
Activity Restrictions: Patients are advised to avoid strenuous activities, sports, and any actions that might risk trauma to the ears for several weeks.
Longevity: Results are permanent, although minor adjustments may be needed in some cases.
What is the Aftercare Like?
Bandages: Ears are bandaged to support healing.
Pain Management: Pain relief medications may be prescribed.
Scarring: Any scarring from the incision is minimal and usually fades over time, becoming barely noticeable.
Results: The full results of otoplasty are generally visible once the swelling subsides, typically within a few weeks to a few months.
Comparison with Other Procedures
Otoplasty is often compared to procedures like ear molding or non-surgical ear reshaping. While non-surgical methods are less invasive, they are usually only effective for minor adjustments and in very young infants. Otoplasty provides more permanent and significant results for all age groups.
Final Words
Otoplasty is a beneficial procedure for anyone looking to improve the appearance of their ears. Whether for cosmetic reasons or to correct deformities, this surgery offers permanent and life-enhancing results.
Ready to transform your appearance with otoplasty? Contact us today and we will arrange qualified plastic surgeon to discuss your options and start your journey to enhanced confidence and well-being.
Ear Reshaping ( Otoplasty)
At A Glance
Surgery Time
1 hours
Time off work
A few days (with the option of 1 week)
Hospital Stay
Day case
Washing
Shower after 1 day (area to be kept totally dry until this point)
Your surgeon will give you detailed information for the preoperative preparation a few weeks prior to your plastic surgery.
The most important advice for smokers is to stop smoking for at least 2 weeks (or 4 weeks and even more, if possible). Smoking prevents healing and increases the risk of complications. You should not smoke until the wounds heal well, at least two weeks after surgery.
You should stop taking aspirin or medicine containing aspirin, antiflammatory drugs and herbal supplements as they all increase the risk of bleeding. Your surgeon will advise you how long prior to the operation you should stop taking these medicines.
High blood pressure also needs to be well controlled during surgery. So if your blood pressure is elevated, you should discuss it with your surgeon.
It is extremely important to discuss your expectations with your plastic surgeon. This will allow him to assess whether they are achievable with the selected procedure. In some cases, two or three sessions may be needed to achieve the desired effect, and in others – it may be necessary to combine procedures for a better result.
You will be accompanied by an employee of ours to the clinic and where you are staying before and after the operation.
Bleeding and bruising are the most common unpleasant side-effects of otoplasty. Swelling also occurs after such an operation. Applying a specialized head bandage after the surgery reduces the risk of such consequences and speeds up the recovery time.
Otoplasty scars are usually found behind the ears. Sometimes they can become hypertrophic (i.e., look red and swollen) or even turn into keloids (raised overgrowths of scar tissue). These complications require specialized therapy.
Infection or necrosis are very rare complications and should be treated urgently.
A slight post-operative asymmetry of the ears is common and even considered normal, but it is usually difficult to notice.
The age of 5 is often considered the minimum for otoplasty because, by this age, the ears are typically about 90% of their adult size, making surgical outcomes more predictable, but it is also suitable for teenagers and adults.
Right after the surgery, the ears may appear overly flat against the head due to swelling. However, as the swelling subsides, the ears will take on a more natural appearance.
England: Otoplasty costs range from £2,000 to £4,000. The high cost is attributed to advanced medical facilities and experienced surgeons.
Bulgaria: Prices are significantly lower, ranging from €1,000 to €2,000. Bulgaria offers competitive prices due to lower operational costs while maintaining high medical standards.
Overal you can say that the price in Bulgaria is 50-70% cheaper than in England.
Prices are formed individually after an online consultation and depending on the patient’s personal needs. Once we know what you want, you will receive our offer within 24 hours. You also can check our PRICE LIST.
Once you have made contact with us, we will organize a free video consultation with the surgeon we believe is best suited for your particular situation.
This consultation will be within 5 days of your request. Prior to the video consultation, we will ask you to fill out a questionnaire about your medical history and send photos of the problematic areas.
If necessary during the video consultation your doctor will advise you to take additional photos of the problematic areas and suggestions for the angle from which to take photos.
This consultation will be combined with a detailed discussion about your wishes and the possibilities for achieving them. We will discuss with you the expected results, possible risks and any other issues that you might be concerned about.
We advise you to make a list of all the questions you may want to ask concerning the procedure before the actual consultation. After the official request to us, and if you wish, we can arrange a meeting for you with our representative in London.
Within 24 hours of the video consultation, we will send you a costing describing the price of the procedure and the needed length of stay in Bulgaria. In the costing there will also be preferential prices offered for our partner hotels with which we work and for which we can guarantee the quality and comfort.
You will then have 3-4 days of time to reflect, and give us your decision.
If you decide to proceed and agree with all terms and conditions , you will have 48 hours within which you must prepay 30% of the total amount of the procedure. This amount is paid directly to the clinic where your procedure will be performed and thereby you will have a reserved date and time for your procedure and a room in the hotel you have chosen. The remaining balance has to be paid by the day before the procedure itself after conducting the preliminary examination in the clinic.
If you decide or need to cancel the procedure, this must be done at least 30 days before the date of your flight in order to be able to trigger a process for returning your deposit.
If you decide to cancel our services within the last 30 days before your flight, you must have a good reason for doing so (supported by evidence) in order to take your money back. If you cancel it within these 30 days and the reason is acceptable, your money will be returned, but you will be suspended 50 euro for an administrative fee. If you wish to change the date of the procedure, this can happen at least 30 days before.
If you wish, we can also arrange your travel from your home to the airport. We are partners with a transport company and you can use our preferential prices. This also applies to your return flight. To do this, you will need to send us the details of your flight one week in advance.
Upon arrival in Bulgaria, you will be greeted at the airport by one of our employees who will take you to your hotel.
On the day before the operation, you will have a preliminary examination, where some necessary tests will be performed (e.g. blood tests) and we will specify all the details related to the operation (treatment plan, proposal for some additional or adjacent procedures for a better outcome, recovery plan etc). Our employee will take you to the clinic and after that to the place where you are to be accommodated.
Before the surgery, you will need to sign an informed consent document (i.e. a document certifying that you have been informed by the doctor about all potential risks and complications and that you understand them) and agree to proceed with the procedure).
On the day of the operation our employee will bring you back to the clinic. Depending on the procedure, you may need to have one or several days of hospital stay. After the completion of the procedure and the hospital stay, our employee will take you back to your hotel.
During the entire stay, our employee will be at your service throughout.
If you wish, and if the procedure allows, we can arrange your stay according to your requirements but this must be specified in advance.
On the day of departure, you will be accompanied by our employee back to the airport.
If you wish, we can arrange your stay according to your requirements. This must be specified in advance.
You will be provided with a detailed plan on the recovery process.
Online consultations in the recovery period will be arranged with your surgeon, but if you have stayed in the hospital after your procedure, the doctor will give you post-operative examinations on the first and third days.
On the seventh and fourteenth days, preventive online consultations will be made to track how the recovery goes.
Online consultation reviews are also done on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 6thmonths.You will be able to contact us at any time!
