otoplasty cost average
COST: $5,499
DURATION: 1 hour

EAR PINNING RECOVERY: 2-3 days of a light throbbing pain, compression headband x 7 day then 7 days just at night5,

Otoplasty Ear Pinning Guide

What Is Ear Pinning?

what is otoplasty

Otoplasty (ear pinning) is a cosmetic procedure to improve the appearance of the ears.

Ear pinning surgery does not affect hearing, and provides significant psychological benefits to anyone who is teased about ear size and/or shape, has had a serious ear injury, or simply wants to improve his or her appearance. Otoplasty is most often performed to set unusually protruding ears closer to the head. The goal of the surgery is simply to make the ears unnoticeable.

How Much Does Otoplasty Cost?

how much is otoplastyAccording to RealSelf, ear pinning cost varies from $2500 to $8600+. The surgery can be done with an incisionless technique and if a cut needs to be made, the procedure should be done in an operating room. Regardless of the method, it should be done in a sterile environment. For most adults and even older children, this is not a procedure for which you need general anesthesia. While most plastic surgeons will offer ear pinning nearby, the vast majority of surgeons don’t actually perform this very often. Read more on-ear pinning costs: here

Dr. Sagar Patel Ear Pinning: The Difference

Ear pinning sounds like a simple surgery; every surgeon knows how to do it; however, there are very few true experts. Dr. Patel has a deep passion for ear pinning surgery. In the past year, Dr. Patel has performed over 120 surgeries. This is not a surgery where just any surgeon will do. His amazing results have made him a the top ear pinning surgeon in the world. This passion and proven results have brought traveling patients from all across the country.

What Happens During My Consultation?

best-ear-pinning-surgeon
The most important aspect of this surgery is precision and a careful analysis of where corrections need to be made. Oftentimes, the outer cartilage (the antihelix) is not folded and a simple suture technique is all that is required. In other cases, the ear can be prominent and protruding centrally, requiring an approach that uses an incision behind the ear. During your consultation, Dr. Patel will mimic both techniques in order to determine which is best for getting ears pinned back. If you are interested in a consultation for your child you can read a blog post about pediatric otoplasty: here.

How Is An Incisionless Ear Pinning Performed?

otoplasty surger The procedure begins with a numbing shot behind the ear that is able to make the entire ear numb. If an incision is required, the surgery will be performed in the operating room. Each side takes about 30 minutes. All sutures placed to create ear folds or pin the ear are permanent sutures. All sutures used to close the skin will dissolve on their own. The incisionless otoplasty technique is used to create an antihelical fold and is done by hiding the sutures under the skin. See more ear pinning before and after pictures: here.

What Is Ear Pinning Recovery And Ear Pinning Aftercare Like? 

ear pinning surgery information

You typically will have a tight compression bandage on for 24 hours. Once that comes off, you can shower. You should expect some bruising on the ears and the ears will be pretty swollen for ~7 days. After 24 hours, you will switch to a compression headband that needs to be worn for 1 week. The average patient needs pain medication for 2-3 days. If you have the incisionless technique, your recovery will be even easier.

You can resume working out after your sutures have dissolved. You should see significant improvement immediately after the surgery, but need to wait a bit for the swelling to go down to see the final result.

Is Ear Pinning Permanent?

As long as the sutures hold, the results will last. While sutures can always pop, the cartilage can retain memory and not move. Generally, you will see your ears move out over the first 6 weeks and then it is unlikely they will change position.

What Are The Risks And Complications Of Otoplasty?

Complications of otoplasty are rare and usually minor. A small percentage of otoplasty patients develop a blood clot on the ear or an infection in the cartilage. These issues may resolve on their own or be treated medically through intervention or antibiotics. Other possible complications include a change in skin sensation at the surgical site. We recommend masks not be worn behind the ears also. 

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