Pre-operative consultation process will be a crucial part of the ear cosmetic surgery procedure. During the consultation, the surgeon will discuss various aspects of the surgery, perform a detailed examination of the patient’s ears and face, and suggest the most appropriate treatment approaches and alternatives. The first goal will be to determine whether otoplasty is the ideal procedure to meet the patient’s requirements.

Once otoplasty is determined as a feasible option, the surgeon will explain the steps involved in the procedure and provide instructions for preparation to recovery stage. The patient should feel free to ask questions and clarify their doubts during the consultation.

Facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Eric Yavrouian provides ear surgery to patients in Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Greater Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, CA, and surrounding communities.

Inputs from the Patient

At the beginning of the consultation process, the surgeon will seek to understand the patient’s reasons for undergoing ear surgery, and which aspects of the ears may be troubling them. The surgeon will also inquire about any pre-existing medical conditions and ask them to arrange for past health records. The patient should be forthcoming about all relevant health details to enable the surgeon to prepare an appropriate ear cosmetic surgery plan.  

Cosmetic Goals

The surgeon will encourage the patient during the initial consultation to share their inherent aesthetic needs, goals and desired with regard to their ears and face. Once the surgeon is fully clear about what the patient wants, they will be in a position to create a customized ear surgery plan to meet the specific requirements of the patient, and ensure maximum patient satisfaction.

Lifestyle Habits

If the patient has a habit of smoking, drinking alcohol, or drugs, they should be prepared to share information transparently with the surgeon for their own sake. The surgeon will be able to advise appropriate measures, suggest alternatives, or instruct them to quit the habit for a certain minimum time period before and after the surgery.

Current Medications

The patient should also prepare a list of all the prescription and non-prescription drugs, including herbal supplements and vitamins that they may be currently taking. The surgeon may stop or alter the schedule of certain medications in consultation with the primary care physician.

Questions to Ask

The surgeon will encourage the patient to ask questions and clarify all their doubts and concerns before going ahead with ear surgery. The patient may preferably make a list of all the questions they want to ask, and carry it along to the surgeon’s office for the consultation. Facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Yavrouian receives patients from Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Greater Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, CA, and nearby areas.

Images and Testimonials

The surgeon will like the patient to develop realistic expectations about the ear surgery procedure. They may present ear surgery before and after pictures at the time of initial consultation to let the patient know what to expect and what not to expect from it. Testimonials of past patients may also be provided at patient’s request to give them insights about the views of other patients.

For more information about treatments and procedures by Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr. Eric J. Yavrouian, serving patients in and around Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank and the Greater Los Angeles, CA area call 818-241-2150 or click here to contact him for a consultation.

Otoplasty is a relatively less invasive cosmetic surgery procedure, but it will still involve certain risks and complications that are associated with any surgery. The decision to undergo ear surgery is a very personal one, and the patient should assess the potential benefits and decide whether the potential risks and complications are acceptable.

The surgeon will discuss about the risks of ear surgery during the initial consultation and help the patient make a well-considered decision. The patient will be required to sign consent forms to ensure that they have fully understood the procedure, the alternative treatments available, if any, and the potential risks and complications.

Patients should be prepared to diligently follow the surgeon’s instructions from the pre-operative preparation stage to recovery in order to mitigate the risks. Facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Eric Yavrouian provides ear surgery to patients in Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Greater Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, CA, and surrounding communities.

Bleeding (Hematoma)

In rare cases, bleeding may occur during the ear cosmetic surgery or during the recovery. This risk can be avoided by carefully evaluating the patient’s existing health condition, and stopping certain medications and herbal supplements that can increase the risk of bleeding.

Blood Clots

This is another rare risk associated with ear surgery. Patients who have a history of clotting are more prone to this risk. The surgeon should review their medical history thoroughly and the patient should be prepared to disclose all health-related information for their own safety.

Asymmetry

Whether otoplasty is performed in one or both ears, it may result in asymmetry in a few cases. Patients should choose a skilled and experienced facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon to minimize such risks.

Infection

Infection risks are common to any surgical procedure. A proper sterile environment should be maintained during the surgery, and the patient should avoid any exposure of the incisions to dirt or dust in the early healing stage after the surgery. Antibiotics may be prescribed for a few days to minimize the risk of infection after the surgery.

Slow Healing

Poor wound healing may occur in a few cases, or the healing may be very slow and delayed. Patients who smoke are more at the risk of delayed healing because nicotine in tobacco will interfere with the blood flow. The surgeon will advise the patient to refrain from smoking for a certain period of time before and after the surgery.

Poor Anesthesia Reaction

For children, the ear surgery procedure will be performed using general anesthesia. In a few cases, the patient may have an adverse reaction to anesthesia. An anesthesiologist or certified nurse anesthetist should be present who can monitor the condition and identify any problem early.

Other Risks

Changes in skin sensation or numbness, skin discoloration, prolonged swelling, unfavorable scarring, allergies to suture materials and tape, persistent pain, and possibility of revision surgery are other risks that should be taken into account. Dr. Yavrouian receives patients from Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Greater Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, CA, and nearby areas for ear surgery.

For more information about treatments and procedures by Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr. Eric J. Yavrouian, serving patients in and around Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank and the Greater Los Angeles, CA area call 818-241-2150 or click here to contact him for a consultation.

Ear pinning is a cosmetic surgery procedure that can be accomplished using different techniques. The choice of technique may depend on the required degree of correction in the patient’s ear. The ear surgery procedure steps may slightly vary according to the type of technique used.

During the initial consultation, the surgeon will explain the procedure steps to the patient to help them make an informed decision. Facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Eric Yavrouian provides ear surgery to patients in Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Greater Los Angeles, Beverly Hills CA, and surrounding communities.

Anesthesia

Ear pinning and ear reshaping cosmetic surgery is a relatively less invasive procedure requiring only a local anesthetic with sedation in case of adults. However, when otoplasty is performed on a child, it will usually involve general anesthesia.

A qualified anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will be present throughout the surgery to monitor the patient’s response in case of general anesthesia. The entire procedure is usually completed in about two hours or less.

Incision and Cartilage Reshaping

After anesthesia, the surgeon will begin the procedure by making an incision behind the ear. Incision will be placed in a concealed location with an aim to keep the subsequent scarring invisible. The purpose of the incision is to expose the cartilage, which will be then reshaped.

The reshaping will be performed delicately and with high precision to create symmetrical and proportionate shape of the ears. If the ears are oversized, the procedure may involve a significant amount of cartilage removal. Excess skin may also be removed through the incisions.

Ear Repositioning

In some cases, if the ear is protruding far from the head, it will be repositioned closer to the sides of the head after the cartilage has been reshaped. This is known as ear pinning. It will usually combine skin removal from the back of the ear, cartilage sparing, and scoring techniques. A customized combination of techniques will allow the surgeon to create a desired shape and position of the patient’s ears.

Incision Closure

Once the ear shaping procedure is completed, the surgeon will close the incisions with dissolvable stitches or sutures. The incision area will be temporarily covered with bandages. Facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon Dr. Yavrouian receives patients from Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank, Greater Los Angeles, Beverly Hills CA, and nearby areas for ear surgery.

Outpatient Procedure

Once the ear surgery procedure is completed, the patient will be moved to a monitoring area for some time. As the patient recovers from the immediate effects of surgery and anesthesia, they may be allowed to go home. They should have a responsible person accompanying them to drive them back home.

In case of children, the surgeon may usually recommend an overnight stay at the hospital to allow for closer monitoring. In case of adults, an overnight stay may only become necessary if a complication arises or the otoplasty is combined with another procedure.

Reconstructive ear surgeries may involve more steps to correct congenital deformities or injuries such as lacerations, burns, or infected and torn piercings.

For more information about treatments and procedures by Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Dr. Eric J. Yavrouian, serving patients in and around Glendale, Pasadena, Burbank and the Greater Los Angeles, CA area call 818-241-2150 or click here to contact him for a consultation.