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BOULDER PLASTIC SURGERY
HANS R. KUISLE, MD, FACS | WINFIELD HARTLEY, MD, FACS

 

Thank you so much for performing surgery on my son -- it has made such a difference in his life. TB

Ear Resculpturing Before & After Photos
 

Minimally-Invasive
Facial Rejuvenation Procedure

 

Ear Resculpturing

 

Define Otoplasty:

Surgery of deformed ears.

 

Procedure:

To set prominent ears back closer to the head, or reduce the size of large ears. Most often done on children between the ages of 4 to 14 years old.

 

LENGTH:

2 hours.

 

ANESTHESIA:

Young children General / Outpatient Surgery. Older children or adults General or local with sedation / Outpatient Surgery.

 

SIDE EFFECTS:

Temporary throbbing, aching, redness, numbness.

 

RISK:

Infection of cartilage. Excessive scarring. Blood clot that may need to be drained. Asymmetry of result. Recurrence of the protrusion, requiring repeat surgery.

 

EXERCISE:

1/3 Intensity at 3 weeks, 2/3 Intensity at 6 weeks, Full Intensity at 8 weeks/

 

BRUISING:

2 to 4 weeks, bruising usually not extensive.

 

SWELLING:

Moderate/Significant 4 weeks, Subtle (Mild) 2 to 3 months, all of which are dependent upon extent of procedure(s).

 

DURATION of RESULTS:

Usually permanent.

 

OFFICE VISITS:

1st 3 to 5 days / 2nd Visit 10 to 14 days. Anticipated office visits: 2 to 3 the first 3 months, 6 months then once, yearly.

 

GARMENT WORN:

Head band at night for 4 weeks.

 

PAIN MEDS:

Ibuprofen or Narcotics.

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Testimonials

 

Thank you and your staff for taking such great care of me. Your staff is friendly and professional, making me feel comfortable and confident throughout the procedure. I have had a very positive experience and I am absolutely thrilled with the results! KF

 

Video / Media

 

 

Recovery Tips

 

Back to work 5 to 7 days. Avoid contact sports 2 months.

With straight local anesthesia patients can walk right out of surgery. Both adults and children are usually up and around within a few hours after general anesthesia or sedation. The large dressing provides protection for the ear sculpting. Although it is taped in place, be careful not to let it slip off of your head. Hot weather can be uncomfortable in a formal ear dressing. An air-conditioned room is very nice for surgery contemplated during the summer.

There is not much discomfort after ear otoplasty surgery unless you traumatize the ears. A little soreness, aching, or throbbing should easily be managed with some medication and last only a few days.

Within a few days, the big dressing will be changed. You will need a broad headband that covers the ears gently. This dressing is especially important at night to protect the ear repairs. External sutures are normally dissolvable and do not need to be removed. If not, they are usually removed in about one week. We will instruct when you be able to wash your hair, in most cases this will be possible once the formal ear dressing is no longer needed. You may need some help to minimize trauma to the ears. You will have to be careful of hot hair blow dryers and protect any possible numb areas from getting burned. You will need to be careful with over the ear devices or those that go into the ear until tissues have healed.

Any activity in which the ear might be bent should be avoided for a month or so. Adults can go back to work once sedation or general anesthesia no longer clouds the mind. Vigorous activities are not a good idea for at least a week. Children can go back to school after about seven days if they are careful about playground activities and hold off gym.

Swelling and bruising with Dr. Bermant's techniques are usually not extensive. If present they may be noticeable for a week or two depending on the type of surgery. A long hair style covers the surgery permitting the ears to hide and early public exposure. Numbness if present is usually temporary but can take days to months to resolve. Healing nerves usually have hypersensitivity or more than the normal amount of sensation.

We will design your after otoplasty scar care for your particular skin and surgery. This must wait for some initial healing so that the repairs can strengthen.

 

Estimated Costs

 

$3,200 to $5,300. Includes surgeon, operating room & anesthesia.

 

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Forms & Documents

 

Please ask your physician for the required documents for this procedure.