EAR SURGERY
The first “fix” we consider for protruding ears is an otoplasty. Ears that stick out are a common source of teasing and self-consciousness in children and teenagers. Other concerns patients have regarding their ears include elongated earlobes, earring hole tears, or earlobe distortion due to gauge type earrings. In many cases, gauge deformities can cause a person to be rejected from a job or military service. Correction of these hard to hide concerns is usually straightforward. In many cases, the procedure can be performed in the office under local anesthesia.
- Dr. Duncan’s skill and level of experience has helped to improve the appearance of patients’ ears for over 30 years.
- Improvement in self confidence is the most common motivation for improving the appearance of protruding ears or earlobe deformities.
- With most ear procedures, there is very little down time afterwards.
Patients seek Dr. Duncan’s skills for ear surgery because of her skill, experience , and the variety of options available. A personalized approach is key to a successful outcome. The first step is a consultation with our patient care coordinator. Options for improvement of the arms will be reviewed, and approximate costs are discussed. Best results are obtained when the approach is team one—postop activity moderation, and following up with the surgeon will optimize the results.
REAL PATIENT STORY
This 22-year-old stated that his ears had always stuck out, making him feel very self-conscious about his appearance. He had been teased about this feature in school. Once he finished college, he decided to have the problem corrected before he interviewed
for a job. He felt a more professional appearance would be an asset in the corporate world.
Left, 22-year-old before an otoplasty.
Right, 22-year-old post-otoplasty.
To view more Ear Surgery before and after photos, click here to visit my gallery.
Frequently Asked Questions
At Plastic Surgical Associates in Fort Collins, CO, we understand that choosing plastic surgery is a significant decision, and you likely have many questions. Our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section provides detailed answers about our surgical procedures, including breast augmentation, tummy tucks, facelifts, liposuction, and arm contouring. We address common concerns about recovery time, anesthesia options, safety, and what to expect before, during, and after surgery. Serving patients throughout Northern Colorado, including Loveland, Windsor, and Greeley, we’re committed to providing clear, helpful information so you can feel confident and informed every step of the way.
I’ve heard that if you get an earring hole tear fixed, you shouldn’t put earrings back in right away. Why?
While we take external stitches out at about one week, the internal tissue knits together only at a rate of 10% per month. If earrings are replaced right away, there is a danger of the entire repair splitting open because of the weight and tension on the repair. We recommend that patients wait about 6 months before they get their ears re-pierced.
As I’ve gotten older, my earlobes hang down quite a bit. My grandchildren like to pull on my ears. What’s the procedure for getting this fixed?
Reducing elongated earlobes is a simple procedure, done in the office under local anesthesia. A crescent shaped piece of the lower earlobe is removed. Sutures along the base of the ear can be taken out at one week. The incision is very hard to see at one month postop.
When I was younger, I put gauges in my ears. It is something I regret doing now. I’d like to join the army, but they told me I cannot have an opening in my earlobes.
Dr. Duncan specializes in this type of repair. It is best to leave gauges out for awhile, so the earlobe can shrink up as much as possible. The procedure takes about an hour for both earlobes. Stitches come out at one week. The earlobe tends to have minimal scarring; in many cases it is difficult to tell that an incision was there.