ABOUT THE PROCEDURE

Otoplasty is any procedure which aims to improve the size and shape of the ear and the earlobe. It is done in the cases of congenital deformity of the ears  (such as protruding/prominent ears – pinnaplasty), too large or too small size of the earlobes and other genetic or acquired malformations (e.g., a missing earlobe, wounds, piercings, tumors, etc.).

How is the procedure performed?

Otoplasty is usually performed under local anesthesia. The surgeon makes an incision behind the ear to reach the cartilage. Then this cartilage is remodeled in order to obtain the desired shape and position.

The procedure usually lasts about an hour. The performance under local anesthesia allows the patient to leave the clinic the same day.

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)

Reasonably Mobile

A few hours

Exercise Including Gym

2 weeks

Sexual Activity

Restricted activity after 2 – 4 weeks

Full Recovery

4 weeks

Driving

1 weeks

Sleeping Position

On back, elevated is recommended for 2 – 4 weeks

Frequently Asked Questions

Before the procedure

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.

Aftercare and recovery

It is good to take a week off from work after this operation.

In the cases where the intervention also covers the cartilage of the ear, you will need to wear a special elastic band for a period of 7 to 10 days.

Mild pain and discomfort are normal in the first few days after the surgery. They can be easily controlled with medication.

What are the risks?

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.

How much does it cost?

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.

How do we work

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!