Ear Surgery in St. Petersburg & Tampa, FL

Ears that appear to stick outward and protrude, are asymmetrical or misshapen, or look too large can have a negative impact on your self-esteem, especially as a child. Ear reshaping surgery (also known as otoplasty) is a cosmetic procedure that helps to redefine the size and shape of the ears to result in a pleasing appearance. Dr. John J. O'Brien Jr. is a plastic surgeon in St. Petersburg, FL who has helped many adults and children to move past their fear of exposing their ears by having this surgery. No matter the deformity, otoplasty at St. Petersburg Center for Plastic Surgery allows a patient to proudly show their face at any angle with self-assurance. If you or your child are worried about the appearance of their ears, contact us to schedule an appointment with Dr. O'Brien to get more information on otoplasty.

Ear surgery can be performed at any age; however, it is extremely common among children and is recommended before reaching elementary school. By six years of age, this cosmetic surgery is safe and effective to be completed on a child. If you are frustrated from the appearance of your ears because they are misshapen or protrude outward, otoplasty may be the ideal surgery to attain a normal appearance. Sufferers of a damaged earlobe, you may also be a candidate for cosmetic ear surgery.

Cosmetic ear surgery is performed using a form of anesthesia. In most cases, the incision is placed near the back of the ear or within the inner ear folds. During this procedure, cartilage may be removed or added to create a more natural appearance. It is usual for each ear to be addressed during treatment to make sure they appear balanced. Once the ears are surgically corrected, the incisions are closed with sutures and bandaged so they can remain protected.

Once treatment has finished and you are released to leave the hospital, you will rest and recover at home. Dr. O'Brien or a member of his team will give instructions for recovery. It's very important to not touch or scratch the ears. Furthermore, you should not lay on the ears, and instead sleep in an upright position for the first several days. Dr. O'Brien will ask to see his otoplasty patients back within the first week — at this time, Dr. O'Brien will remove the bandages and look at you or your child's surgical results. The outcomes are noticeable right away and the progression of results will continue to improve as the ears heal.

How much does ear surgery cost?
Ear surgery costs will be based on what's being done (ear pinning, shaping, earlobe repair, or a combination of these). Once Dr. O'Brien understands your issues and wants, he will make your treatment plan and estimate expenses. In order to concentrate on getting the outcomes that you want rather than prices, our office accepts several payments and a member of our team will help you find low-interest financing.

Will the results of ear surgery last?
Usually, the ears grow faster compared to other areas of the body and face, which is the reason why ear surgery can be carried out on younger patients with long-term outcomes. Dr. O'Brien will evaluate the ears and then discuss what to expect and also how long the outcomes ought to last. While the body and face can change dramatically from gravity and age, the impact on the ears will probably be minimal. In the event there are significant modifications to your ears because of an injury, another surgery might be done.

How old should my child be to consider otoplasty?
Normally, kids about 5 – 6 years old are perfect candidates for ear surgery. Although the ear is generally fully grown, the tissue and cartilage are still malleable, which makes it easy to shape. This age is also great since it's before they begin school or early in their schooling, so that they can avoid teasing. Even though a lot of ear surgery patients are kids, Dr. O'Brien also performs otoplasty on adults.

Do I need to have both ears done or just one?
Most difficulties, such as ears that are too big or stick out, occur in both ears, which means both will need to be addressed. During ear surgery, Dr. O'Brien will adjust both ears to make them as symmetrical as possible. However, if just one ear has to be altered, the shape and size will be adjusted to mirror the untreated ear. When he creates your surgical plan, Dr. O'Brien will tell you if or both ears need to be corrected.

What about fixing stretched or torn earlobes?
The trend of oversized earrings and ear gauges are making earlobe reconstruction a popular operation at St. Petersburg Center for Plastic Surgery. If you're considering getting earlobe repair, schedule an appointment with Dr. O'Brien. He will analyze your ear and then discuss what could be done in order to repair your earlobes.

Although the ears are not very big, an abnormal shape, size, or position may make a huge difference in your appearance. Ear surgery (otoplasty) may help your child avoid getting teased by classmates, or help you if you feel uncomfortable about your ears. Call St. Petersburg Center for Plastic Surgery in St. Petersburg, FL to schedule a consultation with Dr. O'Brien and get more information about surgical ear reshaping. Our team looks forward to helping you achieve a look you will love as well as the confidence to show it off.