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Ear Surgery Procedure (Otoplasty)
Prominent or misshapen ears, which can be present at birth or after an injury, can at most times cause social anxiety regardless of age. This condition is especially difficult for teenagers as they can be a subject of teasing and ridicule from their peers. Some of the characteristics of misshapen ears include;
- Drooping or protruding ears
- Large ear lobes
- Ears with a missing cartilage
- Small constricted ears
Otoplasty, also known as ear reshaping surgery in Dubai, corrects such ear deformities thereby improving the shape and appearance of the ears, including the individual’s self-confidence. The procedure can be done on patients from age 7 years old onwards. The ear cartilage or auricular is more prone to accept alteration from this age. This also happens to be the perfect maturity stage to perform otoplasty.
Ear Surgery Options
When considering an Otoplasty procedure to fix prominent or misshapen ears either for yourself or your loved one, it is important to look at before and after photos of the procedure. Doing this will give you a good perspective not only of the end results but also on the skills of the surgeon.
The surgical techniques used in an ear surgery procedure are highly individualized to give the best possible results to the patient.
Sometimes when it is only one ear that is misshapen or deformed, the surgeon can perform ear surgery on both ears so that the outcome is symmetrical with a pleasing appearance.
Otoplasty can be done alone or along with other procedures such as rejuvenating surgeries and face contouring. Procedures such as blepharoplasty which is cosmetic surgery of the eyelid, rhinoplasty which is cosmetic surgery for the nose, brow and face lifts, cheek and chin implants, skin resurfacing and lip augmentation often go well with otoplasty.
Our Commitment To You
At Al Shunnar Plastic Surgery our plastic surgeons are here to guide you smoothly, and comfortably along the entire process of having ear reshaping surgery in Dubai, which will allow you to make the best decision. Our experts have more than 20 years’ of experience in plastic and cosmetic procedures and they have helped more than 10,000 patients safely enhance their natural beauty and confidence. We will identify the most suitable expert for you, will listen to you, understand, and identify your detailed individual needs during a tailor-made consultation. We will also advise you on what you should expect from the procedure, and ultimately develop the most suitable treatment plan with you.
The Rhinoplasty Process
a)The Consultation
The first step of an ear surgery is having a detailed consultation, and examination at our plastic surgery clinic with one of our board-certified plastic surgeons. The purpose of this is to determine and find a tailor-made plan for each candidate.
b)The Surgery
The second step is to schedule the ear reshaping surgery in Dubai with the highly experienced Plastic Surgeon who is an expert in Otoplasty. The surgery normally requires two hours, but it might take longer if the case is complicated. Prior to the surgery, each patient is screened to ensure that it is safe to proceed with the surgery. This includes a pre-aesthetic consultation, blood testing and to ensure the patient is a fit candidate for the Otoplasty procedure.
Eating or drinking a night before or in the morning of the surgery is discouraged because of the usage of anaesthesia. It is also advisable to wear comfortable, loose fitted clothing such as a button-down shirt that does not have be pulled over the head. This is to avoid unnecessary impact to the ears after surgery.
The procedure involves moulding, removing and/or reshaping the cartilage to reduce protrusion by pulling the ears in. Once the cartilage is trimmed and reshaped, it is pinned back with permanent sutures to secure it. In other instances, the cartilage may not be removed but simply stitched to reshape it permanently. The incisions and scars are hidden at the back of the ear.
Ear surgery is done on an out-patient basis, which means you can go home the same day. It is advisable to have someone to drive you home after the surgery, and stay with you on the first night.
Our expert plastic surgeon will accompany you throughout the entire process of recovery, and healing through scheduled follow-ups.
c)The Recovery
It is important to follow each and every instruction that the plastic surgeon will give you as this will ensure a safe recovery without any complications. After the surgery, you will have dressings on the ears, which you will go home with. These dressings are for supporting the new position of the ears, as well as to keep the surgical site clean.
The surgeon will give you instructions on how to manage the dressings, what medicine to take orally or apply, as well as how to reduce any risk of infection. The dressings will stay on for approximately one week. Painkillers might be prescribed for any discomfort as well as antibiotics. Also, strenuous activity should be avoided, but normal day-to-day activities can typically be resumed after 3 days.
In case you experience any of the following symptoms, contact your doctor immediately;
- Fever
- Any trauma to the surgical site
- Excessive swelling or bleeding
Before And After Results
At Al Shunnar Plastic Surgery Dubai, we do our best to protect our patients’ confidentiality. That is why all the Before & After results are not available online, however, they will be shown during consultation within the clinic.
Meet Our Team
Our Board-Certified expert surgeons have over 20 years’ surgical experience and are trained at some of the world’s best medical schools with a proven track record in UAE, the USA and Brazil.
Consultant Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Buthainah Al Shunnar is an Emirati American Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with extensive experience in breast surgery, body contouring, aesthetic facial surgery, hand surgery, post-cancer reconstruction and microsurgery, as well as non-invasive cosmetic procedures such as Botox, Dermal Fillers and PRP.
Dr. Buthainah Al-Shunnar
Consultant Plastic Surgeon
Consultant Plastic Surgeon
Dr Kamal is an American Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with extensive experience in aesthetic facial surgery, breast surgery, reconstructive surgery, body contouring, fat transfer and non-invasive cosmetic procedures such as Botox, Dermal Fillers and PRP.
Dr. Kamal Sawan
Consultant Plastic Surgeon
Specialist Plastic Surgeon
Dr. Claudia Machado is a Brazilian Board Certified Plastic Surgeon with extensive experience in aesthetic facial surgery, breast surgery, body contouring, fat transfer and minimal and non-invasive cosmetic procedures such as Botox, Dermal Fillers, PRP, Chemical peels, CO2 therapy and others.
Dr. Claudia Alves Silva Machado
Specialist Plastic Surgeon
Precautions
An otoplasty procedure should be performed by a qualified and board-certified plastic surgeon who has years of experience in ear surgery. An ideal candidate for otoplasty should;
- Not have any active disease or serious pre-existing medical condition.
- Be in good health mentally and physically.
- Should have realistic expectations.
What to Expect After Ear Surgery
- Almost immediate results.
- A boost in confidence while interacting with people without feeling self-conscious about your ears.
- Corrected protruding, large or very small, folded and cupped ears.
- A sense of normalcy.
- Well-hidden scars behind the ears.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the ideal age to undergo otoplasty?
The ideal age for a person to undergo otoplasty is when the ears have stabilized, which usually happens frond the age of 5. Guardians and parents use this time to take their children for ear-pinning and other otoplasty procedures. This ensures that their child can start school with normal-looking ears.
Anyone can undergo otoplasty as long as their ears have stabilized and they meet the candidacy criteria.
What is Macrotia?
Macrotia is a Greek term for ‘large ears’ and it is usually used to describe abnormally large ears. Macrotia can either be a birth defect or caused by the natural aging process. This is because the ears are among the few body areas that continue to grow throughout a person’s lifetime. Consequently, older individuals tend to have larger ears than their younger counterparts.
During otoplasty surgery for macrotia, the surgeon focuses on the top half of the ear. He/she removes excess tissue while at the same time making sure that the person has a natural-looking ear rim.
What causes prominent ears?
Prominent or protruding ears are ears that tend to stick out more than 2 cm from the side of the head. Such kinds of ears do not cause any kind of functional problem such as hearing issues.
For the majority of people, this is caused by an underdeveloped antihelical fold. When the antihelical fold fails to form correctly, it causes the outer rim of the ear to stick out. Otoplasty can be performed from the age of 5 to correct this condition.
Can otoplasty be paired with other procedures?
Your Plastic Surgeon can provide you with more treatments or procedures that can be paired with otoplasty during your consultation.
Is there a lot of pain after the otoplasty surgery?
Every surgery comes with some degree of pain but anesthesia is usually provided to make the individual comfortable and pain-free during the procedure.
During the recovery, there is usually some form of discomfort but pain relief medication is prescribed to ensure your recovery is as smooth as possible.
Where will the scars be after ear surgery?
During otoplasty surgery, the incisions are either placed in the back of the ears or very close to the crease where the ear attaches to the skull. Once the ears have been reshaped, the incisions are closed under low tension, which determines the final appearance of the scars. The location of the scars is generally well-hidden and barely visible.
Who is qualified to perform ear surgery?
Otoplasty surgery can be performed by a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon who is skilled in the procedure. It can also be performed by an Otolaryngologist, a medical practitioner who focuses on the ears, nose, and throat (ENT doctor).
Patient Reviews
This is one of the most amazing and professional places I have ever been. I felt very comfortable with the doctor. She was empathetic, really listened to me, noticed all the subtleties that matter. The procedure was smooth and I felt very safe. The result is amazing and I am really happy I came her. Thank you again.
Next Steps
Book your appointment for a consultation in order to know and understand best options for ear surgery in Dubai. Here you will meet one of our Otoplasty experts at Al Shunnar Plastic Surgery, where he/she will develop a tailor-made plan for you. Contact us directly using the contact details given, or book an online appointment, and our patient care coordinators will identify the most suitable expert for you.