Ear Surgery Austin, TX | Otoplasty Austin

What is Otoplasty/Ear Surgery?

Our Austin otoplasty is a surgical procedure to help improve abnormally shaped ears, in the young or old. If your ears are large or protrude, we can change their position, shape, and contour. Also called otoplasty or ear pinning, cosmetic ear surgery can be performed on children as young as age five, and adults of any age who are safe for minor surgery.

Who is a Good Candidate For Ear Surgery?

This procedure may be recommended for men, women, and children with prominent ears who are self-conscious and would like to make their ears less noticeable. Potential candidates for otoplasty include:

Men who would like to wear their hair shorter but do not, because of their prominent ears
Women who would like to wear their hair pulled back, but are not comfortable doing so because they are embarrassed of their ears
Children with prominent ears who may have been bullied or teased at school

Why Choose Dr. Leeman?

When Daniel J. Leeman, MD performs your otoplasty in Austin, he brings an added level of expertise to the procedure. Dr. Leeman is board-certified, not only as a facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, but also as an ear, nose, and throat surgeon.

Your surgery will be performed at Mueller Surgery Center, our state-of-the-art, boutique, private facility, built to provide a positive patient experience.

We have been serving the Austin area at Mueller Surgery Center for nearly two decades and are known for providing cutting-edge edge treatments and compassionate, high-quality care.

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What Should I Expect With Ear Surgery?

Our Austin ear surgery generally takes one to two hours. Depending on the needs and desires of the patient, this timeframe can vary. Dr. Leeman makes incisions behind the ear, where they are easily hidden in the natural crease. He removes excess skin and resculpts the cartilage, reducing the size of the ears and repositioning them so they lie back as they should. Long-lasting sutures may be placed in the cartilage to secure its position and create natural-looking ear folds. Ear surgery is often performed under local anesthesia with sedation.

What is Recovery Like After Ear Surgery?

Recovery time is typically one week. After the surgery, you will wear a soft, padded pressure bandage to protect your ears and hold them in place. After five to seven days, the bandage may be removed. At that time, it is advised to wear a stretchy headband or stocking cap for a week or longer, especially at night. You should not sleep on your side for three weeks after the surgery. You should also refrain from bending over during the first three weeks. You will be able to resume normal activity one month after surgery.

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Ear Surgery FAQ's

What conditions can be addressed with ear surgery?

Dr. Leeman is able to effectively pin back or reshape the outer ear. Advanced techniques are also available to treat more severe ear problems. In rare cases when a baby is born with no outer ear at all, a natural looking ear can be constructed. Dr. Leeman can also employ reconstructive procedures to repair ears damaged by traumatic injury or complications resulting from ear-piercing.

Will ear surgery affect my hearing?

No, a change in shape of the ear will not affect hearing. Although the ears fold and convolutions do serve to concentrate and localize sound waves, routine ear surgery to pin back or reshape the ears will not produce a noticeable change in hearing.

How old must a patient be to undergo otoplasty?

Surgery to pin back protruding ears may be done as early as age five or six. By this time, the ear has achieved much of its adult size and is almost completely formed. The cartilage, however, is still soft and easily molded, making it possible to achieve excellent results and fast healing for children.

Is Dr. Leeman board-certified?

Yes, Dr. Leeman is actually double board-certified by both the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery. He is also a fellow of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery.

What are the risks involved with ear surgery?

As with any procedure, complications and risks include bruising and swelling, infection, adverse reactions to anesthesia, and problems with the healing of the skin. Smokers have a higher risk of complications during the skin healing process. If you wish to learn more, contact our office today and schedule a consultation to receive some of the best results in ear surgery Austin has to offer.

Ear Surgery Austin