Otoplasty in Houston, TX

About Cosmetic Ear Surgery

 

The hole of a pierced ear can become stretched, elongated, or split as a result of wearing large, hanging earrings or accidents involving the tearing of the earlobe. Houston, TX fellowship-trained and board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Derek Lou often performs earlobe surgery procedures to repair damaged skin on the earlobe from his private practice Lou Plastic Surgery. The procedure is a simple, office-based facial procedure that will be done under local anesthesia. Treatment will normally take approximately 30 minutes. A week later, sutures are removed, and re-piercing can be done in 6 – 8 weeks. Patients will be left with natural-looking earlobes following surgery.

Ideal Candidates

The best candidates for earlobe reconstruction surgery:

  • Have prominent, sticking out, misaligned, misshapen, or disproportionate ears

  • Children as young as 5 or 6 to correct ear abnormalities

  • Have anxiety about the look of their ears

  • Desire a long-term solution

  • Desire a natural look

Procedure Technique

Otoplasty is an outpatient procedure that normally requires only local anesthesia. Small incisions will be made around the ears to allow Dr. Lou better access to the cartilage. Cartilage can then be manipulated through removal, reshaping, and reforming to repair the ears for an improved, symmetrical look. Excess skin from the ear can also be removed if needed. Ear surgery is commonly used to pin back protruding ears, repair earlobes, reshape and resize ears, and more to provide natural-looking results. The length of the surgery depends on the technique and the condition of the patient's ears.

What to Expect

Following ear surgery, the ears will be dressed to provide protection. The dressing will remain in place for around five days for children and two days for adults. There's little pain or discomfort associated with otoplasty, but patients should expect to experience tenderness and swelling. It's crucial that pediatric patients not touch or bother their ears while they are healing. Results are long-standing and should provide years of positive benefits for patients.

“Staff are very kind and friendly. Dr. Lou is very skilled and experienced, I would recommend him to anyone. Every aspect of the management and office is quite professional.”

Otoplasty FAQs

How much does ear surgery cost?
The popularity of oversized earrings and ear gauges have made earlobe repair a popular surgery at our office. If you are interested in having earlobe repair, schedule a consultation with Dr. Lou. He will examine the damage and discuss what could be done to reshape your earlobes. Once Dr. Lou has listened to your concerns and goals, he can create your surgical plan and estimate costs. In order for you to focus on getting the results you need instead of costs, we accept many payment methods for your convenience.

My child had an ear trauma. Can my child have surgery to fix the appearance of the ear?
Normally, children about 5 – 6 years of age are ideal candidates for ear surgery because the ears are generally developed by this age. However, the cartilage and tissue will still be soft, making it easier to shape. This age is also appropriate since it is right before the start of school or early in their education so they can avoid teasing.

Will the results of ear surgery last?
Usually, the ears mature faster than other parts of the face and body, which is why this type of treatment can be carried out on younger patients with long-lasting results. Dr. Lou will evaluate the ears and then discuss realistic expectations as to how long the results should last. Even as the face and body can change due to age and gravity, the effects on the ears will probably be minimal. If there are dramatic changes to the ears due to an additional injury, a second otoplasty might be performed.

Do I need to have both ears done or just one?
Most disfigurements, including earlobes that are too big, occur in both ears so both will need to be addressed. During the surgery, Dr. Lou will shape both earlobes so they are as equal as possible. However, if only one ear needs to be changed, the size and shape will be altered to match the other ear. When he develops your treatment plan, Dr. Lou will let you know whether or not one or both ears will be addressed.

Reshape your Ears with Otoplasty in Houston, TX

Even though the ears are not a large feature, a stretched out earlobe may make a big difference in your appearance. Ear surgery may help if you feel self-conscious about your ears. Call Lou Plastic Surgery in Houston, TX to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lou and get more information about surgical earlobe repair. Our team looks forward to helping you achieve a look you will love, as well as the confidence to show it off.