Ear Surgery
Ear surgery is gaining immense popularity over the years. Whenever someone meets you, engages in a conversation with you or simply casts a single glance towards your direction, they will, consciously or unconsciously label you as attractive, unattractive or somewhere in the middle. Ears, because they are attached to your head and lie inches away from your eyes, are hard to miss.
The appearance of your ears, i.e. the shape, complexion and size, can have a strong impact on your overall beauty. Beauty is something none of us are willing to compromise on. People have been, throughout history, trying various techniques to beautify themselves. Even in today’s time, beauty speaks for itself. Where exercise and makeup do a lot for your body and are the leading contributors in your quest to appear beautiful, there might be a chance that both fail and surgery is the best option you have.
Now, the word surgery does make your heart miss a beat. You do feel frightened- who wouldn’t? But we assure you that with advancing time and technology, surgical procedures have become faster, safer and very effective in getting the result you want. Surgery can totally transform you from what you look like to what you want to look like. Ear surgery, is safe, secure and produces accurate results.
When should you go for ear surgery? It is entirely up to you. What we can tell you is what ear surgery can and has accomplished. Ear surgery is the magic wand that transforms your appearance by helping you getting rid of deformities in the ear, which have always bothered you and made you feel self-conscious or even ugly.
It does not matter if you have misshapen, bizarre, jutting out ears or if you suffer from Macrotia, where your ears are abnormally large; you would feel severely self-conscious and shy away from social gatherings. Ear surgery is the answer to your prayers.
Disfigured, crooked and unbalanced ears can also be a blow to your confidence and morale. Otoplasty is a surgical procedure that gives your ears the right shape and proportion so that they do not appear disfigured and wobbly. If your ear was deformed from birth or due to an injury, Otoplasty has been successful in transforming your ears into what you desire.
Otoplasty is very reliable. It has rarely been unsuccessful in delivering the promised results. Otoplasty is also very safe. It does not harm your hearing ability in any way. It is a short and effective surgery, which has been executed triumphantly numerous times on both, adults and children.
Many children are laughed at, ridiculed, bullied and made fun of by other children in school. This makes them feel ashamed, out of place, an inferior. This feeling is devastating to the development of their personality. Otoplasty is the best option to consider in this case. Healthy children above five years of age can easily go through this simple surgery.
Otoplasty can be performed without any risk for adults and teenagers, that is, unless they are suffering from rare medical conditions or phobias, which do not allow them to go undertake a surgery. However, before you make the decision of whether or not to go through with the surgery, you should have a clear mind and objectives, as a surgery once done, has lifetime effects and cannot be undone. Consider it before giving the final verdict; do not feel pressured by friends and family. This is not a joke.
In Texas, Dr. Frank Agullo is a professional surgeon who has specialized in every field of facial cosmetic surgery, which includes Otoplasty. He is board certified in Plastic Surgery.
Techniques of Otoplasty
Two distinct ear correction techniques used are: incisionless otoplasty and the traditional Otoplasty.
Incisionless Otoplasty
This surgical procedure is ideal for babies, children and young patients who are scared of surgery and everything it entails, such as bleeding and anesthesia. It is preferable, as it is less ‘’messy’’ and less intrusive but the results are temporary and might go away with time. This is because, instead of cutting the ear, it is stitched into the desired shape with the deformities being hidden and buried by stitching them in. This means that for the ears to stay in place and not return to the former condition there is a complete dependence on the stitches.
Another innovative form of surgery free otoplasty is with the EarWell system. This system is ideal for newborns with ear deformities. It is an external splint worn over 6 weeks that shapes the ears to look normal. It can treat a wide variety of ear deformities.
Traditional Otoplasty
This surgery calls for making an incision at the back of the ear. It is also widely known as the ‘’open’’ surgical procedure. The ear is finely sculpted and brought into shape by the use of surgical sculpting tools which may cause minimal injuries and bruises but the effects are long lasting and perfect.
Getting Ready for Ear Surgery
Before the actual execution of the surgery, you need to be informed of what you will go through and what you will achieve. Hoping for too much is not helpful, neither is being hopeless. Make your objective clear to the doctor, discuss with him the possibility of anesthesia; get all your queries answered. Before you go through with the process, you should have a clear mind, free of all doubt.
Because this can be a life-changing event, you need to carefully select the surgeon. Do not make a hasty decision and get an expert to give you the best results. Talk to the surgeon and see if you trust him. Once you are clear on the procedure, have spoken to your surgeon and discussed with him all details, you should move on to the next step.
The first step before Otoplasty starts is that you have to go through a test that will check your hearing ability to make sure that you do not have any hearing problems before the surgery begins. You might be asked for blood tests and x-rays to confirm that you are healthy enough to go through a surgery. You will also have to provide a brief medical history.
You may be asked to change your diet and lifestyle prior to the surgery. This may include giving up smoking, stopping the intake of food a day prior to the surgery and getting the required medicines beforehand, in addition to taking time off from school, college or work.
You may want to arrange someone to drive you to the hospital on the day of the surgery and then drive you back home after the process is completed, as you might not be able to do this yourself. Make sure that on the day of the surgery, you wear suitable clothing that can be unbuttoned (if a surgery gown is not available). Dr. Frank Agullo will guide you through all the necessary preparations needed before the surgery starts.
Risks of Otoplasty
Although simple surgeries like Otoplasty rarely go wrong or result in complications, you still have to fully understand and accept that doctors cannot guarantee to produce hundred percent of the desired results.
You should be fully aware what consequences an ear surgery can have.
You can experience a change in sensation, there can be permanent scars and marks from the surgery, the results may not be as promised. The surgery might cause allergies, infections, reactions. The surgery might need to be done again. It very rarely causes any serious damage like hearing loss.
For the surgery to be effective and long lasting follow the tips and guidelines that the doctor provides you with. For example, Dr. Agullo strongly advises not to smoke before and immediately after the surgery as this might be risky. Listen to the doctor’s instructions and follow them.
Recovery After Otoplasty
Each individual has a different and unique healing time depending on how healthy they are. Healing time may vary considerably.
To accelerate the healing process, follow the post-surgery instructions given by the doctor. You will often be given a headband or support to safely protect and keep your ears in place. Be careful to avoid any contact with water, keep your ear safe and guarded at all times.
Change the dressing to avoid any infection. Dr. Agullo advises that you keep your head elevated.
Keep in mind that it will pain after the surgery, be prepared for this. You can take light painkillers if your doctor approves but avoid aspirin and any similar drugs. Bruising or swelling might also occur. Take proper rest, follow the diet plan the doctor suggests. Do not lift heavy weights or engage in vigorous activities.
The Cost of Otoplasty
Otoplasty is in most cases is not covered by your insurance as it done more out of desire than need. Please make absolute sure if your insurance company covers Otoplasty or not before making any decision. The costs including the fee of the surgeon, medication, equipment and anesthesia may round off to about $3,500 to $4,500, depending on your case. Dr. Agullo will give you a rough idea of the expenses.
Ear surgery may change your life completely.
