Ear Reshaping

Palm Beach Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery offers ear reshaping to address prominent, protruding, or misshapen ears, restore symmetry, achieve a natural appearance, and enhance self-confidence.

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Ear Reshaping in West Palm Beach, FL | Call 561-833-4122

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Fredric M. Barr, M.D. | Palm Beach Plastic and Cosmetic Surgery | Call (561) 833-4122

Dr. Barr
M.D., F.A.C.S

Ear Reshaping in West Palm Beach, Florida

Are you embarrassed by prominent ears, protruding ears, or misshapen ears? Are you dissatisfied with the position, shape, or proportion of your ears? If your ears affect your self-confidence, we have a solution: ear reshaping, also known as otoplasty.

Otoplasty, a remarkable cosmetic ear surgery can restore self-esteem and transform your ear aesthetics. Catering to adults and children alike, our Board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. Fredric M. Barr, M.D., F.A.C.S. has been providing patients with exceptional care, artistry, and expertise for more than three decades. You can trust Dr. Barr to perform otoplasty surgery that results in aesthetically pleasing ears you’ll be proud to see in the mirror.

Benefits of Ear Reshaping

Ear reshaping can correct numerous issues associated with the ear’s appearance, including:

  • Prominent ears
  • Cupped ear
  • Large or stretched ear lobes
  • A shell ear with no outer curve in the cartilage
  • A lop ear, in which the top of the ear folds downward or inward
  • Overly large ears

Who is a Good Candidate for Ear Reshaping?

A candidate for ear reshaping is someone who is unhappy with the shape, size, or position of their ears and desires to improve their appearance. Dr. Barr commonly performs otoplasty to correct protruding ears or other ear deformities.

Candidates for ear reshaping may include individuals of any age, including children and adults. Realistic expectations and a clear understanding of the potential risks ear reshaping poses is vital. During your consultation with our patient counselor at Palm Beach Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery, we will discuss your medical history and outer ear concerns, including stretched earlobes, ears that stick out, and other ear problems, before guiding you through your options to determine if otoplasty is right for you.

How Do Board-Certified Plastic Surgeons Perform Cosmetic Ear Surgery?

Performed under general anesthesia, our surgeon begins by making a small incision behind each of your ears to gain access to your ear cartilage. He then removes or reshapes the cartilage as needed, sculpting excess cartilage and soft tissue like an artist to create a smaller and subtler structure. Once he has created symmetrical ears to complement your other facial features, Dr. Barr will reposition them to rest more closely to the head, before closing the incisions.

Because Dr. Barr makes the incision discreetly behind the ear, the scar is indetectable, hidden in the natural folds of the ear. Depending on the patient’s needs and preferences, otoplasty surgery takes approximately two to three hours at our outpatient surgery center.

What Can I Expect After Ear Reshaping?

Following otoplasty surgery, Dr. Barr will protect your new ears by wrapping bandages around your head. These bandages will stay in place for the first 24 hours. After that, Dr. Barr will advise you to switch to an approved headband.

During the initial recovery period, keeping your head elevated and avoiding strenuous activities to ensure smooth healing and minimize swelling is crucial. After approximately one week, you will have a follow-up appointment at our office for Dr. Barr to assess your progress and ensure proper healing.

During this time, Dr. Barr will remove all sutures. Depending on your unique anatomy, you may be required to continue wearing the headband to maintain the new position of your ears until healing is fully complete.

While each patient’s recovery may differ, it is normal to experience some swelling and discoloration. We can effectively manage mild discomfort with pain medication.

How Long Is The Healing Process for Ear Reshaping?

The healing process for ear reshaping can vary depending on the individual and the specific techniques used by the surgeon. Generally, it takes several weeks to months for the ears to fully heal and for the final results to manifest.

After the otoplasty procedure, patients usually experience some swelling, bruising, and discomfort in the ear area. During the initial healing period, follow the surgeon’s directions and wear the supportive dressing or bandage around the head to protect the ears.

After the bandages are removed within the first 24 hours, continue wearing the special headband to help maintain the new shape of the ears for several weeks. It’s especially important during sleep to prevent any unintended pressure or trauma to the ears.

During the healing process, follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions, which may include avoiding activities that could put stress on the ears (such as contact sports), and keeping the surgical site clean and protected.

Finally, attend follow-up appointments with Dr. Barr to monitor the healing progress and address any concerns or questions that may arise.

Can Otoplasty Really Give My Ears a
Natural Appearance?

Otoplasty can indeed provide a natural appearance to your ears by reshaping and repositioning them and addressing concerns such as protrusion, size, or shape.

During the procedure, Dr. Barr carefully considers the individual’s unique ear anatomy and desired outcome. Through precise incisions behind the ear, he accesses the cartilage, which he sculpts to achieve a more proportionate and aesthetically pleasing ear shape that blends seamlessly with the rest of the face.

To ensure a more natural appearance, he accounts for factors such as the angle of the ears, the distance from the scalp, and the symmetry between both sides. Attention to detail during the surgery helps Dr. Barr achieve optimal results that appear as if they were naturally part of your facial features.

Moreover, the advancements in surgical techniques and technologies enable him to accomplish natural-looking outcomes with minimal scarring. He uses hidden sutures and places incisions in discreet locations, ensuring that residual marks are barely visible.

Are There Any Risks or Complications Associated with Otoplasty?

As with any surgical procedure, there are potential risks and complications associated with otoplasty. These can include infection, excessive bleeding, unfavorable scarring, asymmetry, changes in sensation, or dissatisfaction with the results. However, when performed by an experienced board-certified plastic surgeon, the risks are generally minimized.

Will There Be Any Visible Scarring After Otoplasty?

The incisions made during otoplasty are typically placed in inconspicuous locations, such as behind the ear, to minimize visible scarring. Over time, any residual scars tend to fade and become less noticeable.

How Long Do The Results of Otoplasty Last?

The results of otoplasty are generally long-lasting. Once the ears have healed and the desired shape has been achieved, it is unlikely for them to revert back to their original appearance. However, natural aging and changes in weight may subtly affect the ears over time.

How Much Does Otoplasty Cost?

The cost of otoplasty in West Palm Beach, FL can vary depending on factors such as the specific surgical techniques and the complexity of the procedure. In most cases, health insurance considers otoplasty a cosmetic procedure rather than a medically necessary one, and may not cover the cost. Check with your insurance provider to understand their specific coverage policies and requirements.

During your consultation with our patient counselor, we can provide you with personalized information based on your unique circumstances. If not covered by your insurance, we accept CareCredit®, cash, checks, and credit cards, and offer other financing options.

Can Ear Reshaping Help Children Born with a Birth Defect?

A child’s ears may protrude or feature other structural deformities due to a birth defect. This is a different issue that may also include loss of hearing and other face and body issues. Ear reshaping procedures such as otoplasty can help children born with certain types of ear deformities or birth defects by improving the appearance and function of the ears for a more balanced appearance.

Otoplasty can address common ear deformities like protruding ears, microtia (underdeveloped ears), anotia (complete absence of ears), and other structural abnormalities. In these cases, we usually perform reconstructive surgery for these congenital ear deformities at an earlier age, in multiple stages.

Schedule a Consultation with Our Patient Counselor at Palm Beach Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery for Otoplasty

For more than three decades, Board-certified Dr. Fredric M. Barr, M.D., F.A.C.S. has been helping women and men at Palm Beach Plastic & Cosmetic Surgery achieve naturally beautiful results. Dr. Barr believes if you can tell a patient has had plastic surgery, it is not necessarily a good result. He combines his medical knowledge and experience with his passion for artistry to achieve a natural, refreshed look for his patients.

If you would like to learn more about the otoplasty outpatient procedure and whether it’s right for you, call (561) 833-4122(561) 833-4122 or complete our online form to schedule a consultation with our patient counselor.