What Can Plastic Surgery Do for the Ears?

When you think about someone’s appearance, you rarely consider their ears. Our ears have a more subtle effect on how we look than our eyes or our hair, but they still play a role in our overall appearance, and as a result, they affect how confident we feel. Luckily, if you aren’t happy with your ears, there’s probably a solution. Cosmetic ear surgery (called otoplasty) can treat a variety of aesthetic concerns, including the most common complaints below:

Protruding Ears

Ears that appear to “stick out too far” are the most common reasons patients seek ear surgery. The procedure is often called “ear pinning,” and it’s done with a small, discreet incision in the back of the ear. Through this incision, I can either sculpt the ear’s cartilage or use long-term sutures to give the ear a new shape and keep it closer to the side of the head.

Enlarged or Disproportionate Ears

It’s fairly common for patients to feel that their ears are disproportionately large for their head size, or that certain parts of their ears are too large. In this case, the procedure is similar to ear pinning. Through a discrete plastic surgery incision in the back of the ear, I can reshape the ear’s cartilage (or remove some cartilage if necessary) to give the ear a smaller and more desirable look. If the ears are different sizes, I can use this procedure to correct the asymmetry as well.

Ears with Shape Irregularities

While the two issues above are the most common ones, there are many ways ears can take on an irregular shape. Some patients have had their condition since birth, while others’ ears change shape due to an injury. Regardless, many patients can get the more symmetrical and subtle look with cosmetic surgery. Depending on your exact needs, cartilage can be re-shaped, removed, or sutured based on your specific needs.

We may not notice a person’s ears unless they’re particularly unique, but they play a part in how attractive people perceive themselves to be. As a double board-certified plastic surgeon, my goal each day is to help my patients become their most confident and beautiful selves. If your ears are standing in the way of this, I may be able to help. Schedule a cosmetic surgery consultation at my Atlanta office, and for more plastic surgery tips and helpful information, follow me on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Google+.