Ear Surgery Chicago
Otoplasty plastic surgery gives children and adults the opportunity to improve the appearance of their ears. This plastic surgery procedure is designed to pin the ears closer to the patient’s head, reduce the size of the ears or reshape one or both of the ears. An otoplasty procedure can result in more natural looking ears, helping them to look more normal, smaller and less protrusive. This especially helps children feel better about the way they look and avoid being teased at such a vulnerable time in their lives. Although most patients for this procedure are children between the ages of four and six, adults can also have otoplasty plastic surgery, helping them improve their appearance and self-esteem.
An otoplasty procedure usually takes about 2-3 hours to perform and is done on an outpatient basis. Depending on the patient’s age and the extent of the surgery, local or general anesthesia is used. Adults are typically given local anesthesia, allowing them to be awake but relaxed during the procedure. To perform the corrective surgery, the Chicago otoplasty surgeon, Dr. Gikas, will begin by making an incision behind the ear to hide any evidence of surgical intervention. The surgeon will then sculpt the cartilage and bend it back toward the head using techniques of scoring, suturing, limited removal or combinations of the three. The reshaped framework is then repositioned to achieve the best balance with the opposite side and to reduce excessive projection. The skin is re-draped, any excess skin is removed and stitches are placed to help maintain the otoplasty Chicago patient’s new ear shape and to close the incision. A gentle pressure dressing is placed to prevent excessive fluid beneath the skin.
Most patients experience very little pain following their otoplasty procedure. Most will experience some slight discomfort or soreness and should avoid any activities for a few weeks in which the ear could be bumped. Most Chicago ear surgery patients will notice some swelling in the ears for two to three weeks following their surgery. It is essential to the success of the surgery and personal satisfaction of the patient that he or she researches and fully understands what an otoplasty procedure entails and what to expect before having the operation.
Good candidates for otoplasty surgery have one or more of the following characteristics: large ears, protruding ears, lop ear (top seems to fold down and forward), cupped ear (condition in which the ear is very small), shell ear (when the curve is the outer rim, as well as when the natural folds and creases are missing), large or stretched earlobes and earlobes with large creases and wrinkles. All of these conditions can cause a person to shy away from others, feel bad about the way they look and lose confidence. Otoplasty surgery can dramatically enhance one’s appearance by fixing these deformities and give patients more normal and natural looking ears.
View before and after otoplasty / ear surgery pictures.
About Dr. Elias Gikas
Dr. Gikas performs a full range of image-enhancing plastic surgery procedures, including breast, face and body procedures. He uses highly advanced techniques and technologies to create results for his many rhinoplasty, facelift, eyelid surgery and brow lift patients that are aesthetically pleasing yet appear natural. Dr. Gikas is also sought-after by revision rhinoplasty Chicago patients. In addition, he is considered a leading Chicago liposuction specialist for his ability to transform his patients’ bodies.
