Ear Surgery

When your ears sit too far from your head, appear uneven, or draw unwanted attention, it can affect your confidence every day. Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is one of the most rewarding procedures in plastic surgery: the change is visible, recovery is manageable, and the boost in self-esteem often happens almost overnight. Whether you’re considering this for your child or yourself, here’s what to know.

EAR SURGERY AT A GLANCE

Potential Benefits: Otoplasty reshapes and repositions the ears for a more natural, balanced look. Results are long-lasting and address concerns like protrusion, asymmetry, and irregular shape.
Candidates: Good candidates include children around age five or older, once the ears are nearly fully developed, as well as adults bothered by ear size, shape, or position. Candidates should be in good general health.
Procedure: Otoplasty is an outpatient procedure typically taking 1 to 2 hours, performed under general or local anesthesia with sedation. Incisions are hidden behind the ear or within its natural creases.
Recovery: A protective headband or bandage is worn for the first several days, with mild swelling in the first 24 to 48 hours. Most patients return to school or work within about a week.
Follow-Up Care: Patients are typically seen shortly after surgery for bandage removal, then again as swelling resolves over the following weeks. Following headband instructions closely helps protect the new ear position.
Surgeons: Dr. Ashley Kerekes and Dr. Hannah England are both board-certified plastic surgeons at Carolina Plastic Surgery, with expertise that includes surgery of the ears. Their patient-first approach ensures natural, balanced results for every otoplasty patient.

What Is Otoplasty?

Otoplasty is a cosmetic procedure that reshapes, resizes, or repositions the ears for better proportion with the rest of the face. Also known as ear surgery or “ear pinning,” the goal isn’t really to pin the ears down. Instead, the surgeon works with the underlying cartilage so the ears fall naturally into place, as if they were always meant to sit that way.

This procedure is popular among both children and adults. Kids often come in because prominent ears have led to teasing at school, while adults may have lived with self-consciousness for years before addressing it. Either way, otoplasty is a quick, well-tolerated procedure that makes a genuine difference in day-to-day confidence.

What Concerns Can Ear Surgery Address?

Otoplasty can correct a wide range of ear concerns, including:

Protruding or prominent ears that stick out further than average
Asymmetry, where one ear sits noticeably differently than the other
Overly large ears that feel disproportionate to the face
Ears with a folded or curled upper rim where the natural shape didn’t fully form
Stretched, split, or torn earlobes, often from earrings or injury
Ears affected by trauma or a congenital condition present since birth

Because every set of ears is different, your surgeon will tailor the approach to your specific anatomy rather than applying a one-size-fits-all technique.

Am I a Good Candidate for Ear Surgery?

Otoplasty is appropriate for a wide age range. Children are typically treated around age five or six, once the ears are nearly full-grown but the cartilage is still soft and easy to reshape. Many parents schedule it before school starts to help avoid teasing.

Adults are excellent candidates too, with no upper age limit. Good candidates, regardless of age, are in good health, have no active ear infection, and have realistic expectations. A thorough consultation is the best way to determine whether otoplasty fits your goals.

What Does the Ear Surgery Procedure Involve?

Otoplasty is typically an outpatient procedure. Depending on age and preference, it’s performed under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation; children almost always receive general anesthesia.

A small incision is made, usually hidden behind the ear or within its natural creases, so scarring is difficult to notice once healed. The cartilage is then reshaped, trimmed, or repositioned to correct protrusion, refine shape, or restore symmetry, often with sutures to hold the new form permanently. The procedure usually takes one to two hours.

What Can I Expect After Ear Surgery?

Recovery from otoplasty is refreshingly manageable. A protective headband or bandage is worn for the first several days to support healing and keep the ears in their new position. Mild discomfort is common in the first 24 to 48 hours, usually controlled with over-the-counter pain medication.

Most patients return to school or work within about a week. After the initial bandage comes off, a lighter headband is often worn at night for a few more weeks. Swelling and bruising gradually fade, and strenuous activity or contact sports should be avoided while the cartilage fully settles.

How Long Do Ear Surgery Results Last?

Otoplasty results are long-lasting. Once the cartilage heals into its new shape, it generally holds that form for life. Some subtle refinement can continue over the following months as swelling fully resolves, but the core correction is meant to be permanent.

How Much Does Ear Surgery Cost?

Cost depends on the complexity of the correction, whether one or both ears are treated, anesthesia type, and facility fees. The most accurate way to understand pricing is through a personalized consultation, where your surgeon can walk you through a treatment plan and clear cost information. Otoplasty is typically considered cosmetic and usually isn’t covered by insurance, though your care team can help clarify any exceptions.

Schedule Your Ear Surgery Consultation

If the shape, size, or position of your ears has been on your mind, you don’t have to live with it. Dr. Ashley Kerekes and Dr. Hannah England would love to meet with you, answer your questions, and help you understand what otoplasty could look like for you or your child.

Schedule your consultation with Carolina Plastic Surgery today and take the first step toward ears that feel like they’ve always belonged.