Cosmetic Ear Surgery

Reshape the Ears with Otoplasty in Chevy Chase & Washington, D.C.

Our patients with prominent ears have often considered plastic surgery, specifically cosmetic ear surgery, for many years before taking the next step. Otoplasty, an ear reshaping procedure, has helped many patients feel more confident in their appearance. From treating overly prominent ears to physical trauma and congenital ear deformities, this ear reshaping surgery procedure offers a dramatic transformation for adults, children, and teens.

Dr. Adam Singleton has performed many cosmetic ear surgeries with excellent results. Patients are generally very happy with their appearance following their cosmetic ear surgery and often wish that they had chosen otoplasty sooner. Come visit our Chevy Chase office to learn more about your options for ear reshaping, whether it’s plastic surgery for ears or a different cosmetic treatment.

What Can Otoplasty Treat?

Otoplasty, also known as ear pinning surgery or ear reshaping surgery, is a cosmetic procedure that reshapes, resizes, or repositions the ear. It can correct congenital ear malformations (the type that are present from birth) or misshapen ears caused by trauma or injury. The goal of ear reshaping (plastic surgery for ears) is a more balanced facial appearance with ears that complement the other features, rather than distract from them.

Otoplasty treats many common ear conditions including:

  • Macrotia, or overly large ears
  • Protruding ears on one or both sides of the head
  • Cauliflower ear and other types of ear trauma
  • Unsatisfactory results from a previous cosmetic ear surgery

If you’re unhappy with the appearance of your ears, come see Dr. Singleton and learn more about the benefits of this facial plastic surgery procedure.

Can Children Have Ear Surgery?

ear pinning for children

Otoplasty can be performed on children, teens, and adults. Come see Dr. Singleton to find out if your child is a good candidate for the procedure. After an examination, Dr. Singleton can offer personalized treatment recommendations and advice. He loves working with children and helping them to feel more confident about their appearance.

Preparing for Otoplasty

Otoplasty cosmetic ear surgery is a very rewarding procedure for many of our patients, often fulfilling a lifelong dream of a more aesthetically pleasing ear appearance. The first step to any cosmetic procedure is consultation. Contact our offices to schedule yours.

At Capital Facial Plastic Surgery, we want our patients to feel comfortable and at ease. We pride ourselves in providing an exceptional patient experience to everyone who comes in for a consultation, treatment, or follow-up check-up. Whether you’ll be visiting us for a consultation on a surgical procedure like plastic surgery for ears or a non-invasive treatment like dermal fillers, you will feel like a VIP.

On the day of your consultation, you’ll arrive at our elegant offices, conveniently located in Chevy Chase. You’ll check in with our friendly staff and see the doctor quickly. A hallmark of our practice is attentive service. We don’t believe in making patients wait around. We are devoted to providing personalized attention to each of our patients.

Each otoplasty ear reshaping surgery consultation includes an in-depth examination with our surgeon, an opportunity to ask questions, and detailed information about the cosmetic ear surgery procedure. Patients that are ready to take the next step can schedule their surgery; but don’t worry, you won’t be pressured if you need more time to decide. We want our patients to feel confident in their decision to pursue ear reshaping.

What Happens During Otoplasty?

Dr. Singleton creates a customized surgical plan for each ear reshaping patient. Your procedure may vary, depending on your anatomy and surgical goals. He is extensively trained in the latest surgical techniques for cartilage shaping and removal, and uses these skills to create a balanced and natural looking result.

Otoplasty incisions are usually hidden on the back of the ear; but occasionally, suturing or incisions will be required at the front of the ear to hold cartilage shape. Visible, front-of-the-ear incisions or sutures are placed in the folds of the ear to minimize their appearance.

After the cosmetic ear surgery procedure has been completed, the incisions are then closed, and the ears are bandaged. This bandaging serves a few important purposes including protecting the ear, keeping the surgical sites clean, and holding the ears in position during the initial phases of healing. Patients for ear reshaping surgery can see their new look as soon as the bandaging is removed, often in a few days.

Schedule a Consultation

If you have any questions about a procedure or wish to schedule a consultation with Dr. Singleton, please contact our office.

Schedule a Consultation

If you have any questions about a procedure or wish to schedule a consultation with Dr. Singleton, please contact our office.

Otoplasty Recovery

The success of your ear reshaping surgery also depends on how well you have healed and recovered. An important factor in helping you achieve your desired results is how well your incisions heal, and much of the treated areas remained undisturbed as you heal and recover.

That said, it’s important to know that keeping the ears protected is important during recovery from ear surgery. We’ll give you detailed instructions to ensure that the delicate surgical sites remain undisturbed during healing. The bandaging must remain in place until Dr. Singleton recommends removal. To ensure comfort, you may be instructed to take prescription pain medication. Dr. Singleton will prescribe you the right pain medication on the day of your surgery.

Dr. Singleton meets with all post-op patients the day after surgery. During this visit, he’ll check your healing and review the results of your procedure with you. You’ll come in for a few additional post-operative checks after your otoplasty cosmetic ear surgery. These appointments are an important part of the surgical process. Please make every effort to attend all appointments after surgery.

Please be reminded that patients typically miss one to two weeks of work or school, so make all the necessary arrangements before your scheduled surgery.

Ear Surgery and Children: A Parent’s Guide to the Procedure

Choosing cosmetic surgery for a child can be a difficult decision for a parent to make. Dr. Singleton is aware of the many emotions that parents face as they consider ear surgery for their child. If you’re interested in the procedure, schedule a consultation with Dr. Singleton for both you and your child. The choice to pursue ear surgery will be a collaborative decision between the parent, the child, and Dr. Singleton.

Children should be at least 5 years old before ear surgery is considered. Prior to this age the cartilage isn’t stable enough for surgery. A certain level of emotional maturity is needed for a successful surgery. Children should be able to follow instructions and willing to cooperate. Dr. Singleton will talk to your child to explain the procedure and to assess their readiness before recommending surgery.

Some children aren’t ready for ear reshaping at a young age and will benefit from waiting for the procedure.

Otoplasty FAQs

Each ear plastic surgery consultation we offer includes time for questions and answers. We encourage patients to make a list of their questions and bring it to their initial consultation. In the meantime, you can find answers to top otoplasty surgery questions below.

Otoplasty, also known as ear plastic surgery, plastic surgery for ears, or ear reshaping surgery, is a procedure that reshapes, resizes, and/or repositions the ears to improve their appearance and the overall balance of your facial features. It is designed to treat overly prominent features, congenital abnormalities, or deformities resulting from physical trauma. It is a safe and transformative procedure that children, teens, and adults can undergo.

We want patients of every age to have an enjoyable and comfortable ear plastic surgery experience at Capital Facial Plastic Surgery. We use a variety of anesthetic options, depending on patient needs, to minimize discomfort. In general, however, patients don’t feel any pain or discomfort during surgery.

After the procedure, discomfort can be managed using prescription or over-the-counter pain relief. All available options will be discussed in detail during your consultation with Dr. Singleton. Pain management is especially important when the procedure is performed on a young child. Dr. Singleton works hard to ensure his smallest patients have a well-planned and carefully managed otoplasty recovery process.

Ear reshaping surgery is extremely safe. Antibiotics are used to prevent infection, while anesthesia will ensure you don’t feel any pain during the procedure. After your plastic surgery for ears, your doctor will prescribe topical ointments to reduce and prevent the risk of infection. Medications to help you manage any discomfort will be prescribed as well.

The patient should be at least six years old. It’s generally a good idea to undergo the procedure before adulthood as the ear cartilage of young people are softer and therefore easier to reshape. Having the procedure at a young age can also help with self esteem and social interactions for a young child.

Other than this, anyone of any age can undergo the cosmetic ear surgery procedure.

How long the cosmetic ear surgery will last depend on several factors, including the extent of reshaping or resizing to be done. In general however, your surgeon may be able complete the procedure between one-and-a-half and two hours.

The appearance of the ears after surgery is one of the major concerns of a lot of patients. Remember that the goal of the procedure is to improve the appearance of your ears and the overall balance of your facial features; however, the exact appearance of your ears after ear reshaping surgery will depend on your specific needs. For example, ear lobe surgery will improve the appearance of the ear lobes only, whereas ear reduction surgery will reduce the overall size of the ears. Surgery can also fix congenital abnormalities, deformities caused by trauma, or a previous surgery’s unsatisfactory results.

Another common concern for a lot of patients is whether or not cosmetic ear surgery will negatively affect their hearing. Dr. Singleton assures patients that ear plastic surgery is designed to only improve the appearance of your ears and will not affect your hearing in any way. It is not the same as ear tubes surgery and other types of ear surgery designed to improve or repair ear function.

Recovery period may differ from patient to patient as their bodies heal and recover differently. But on the average, recovery from ear plastic surgery generally takes around six weeks.

Patients can expect some swelling, bruising, and pain after the procedure. Medications prescribed by your surgeon will drastically reduce any discomfort you feel.

To allow your ears to heal properly post-surgery, you will have to wear a dressing around your ears for about a week. And for the first few weeks, you’ll also need to wear a headband and keep your head elevated during sleep. This will prevent your ears from bending or being exposed to potential trauma.

And as you are recovering from your otoplasty cosmetic ear surgery, you’ll be advised to avoid rigorous exercise. Washing your hair with abrasive shampoo, touching or massaging your ears, exposing your ears to extreme heat, and wearing clothes that are difficult to remove should likewise be avoided to minimize risk of infection and ensure that your ears are healing properly.

Since plastic surgery for ears is generally performed for aesthetic purposes, the surgeon makes sure that the incisions are made behind your ears thus effectively hiding your post-surgery scars.

As with any other surgical procedure, both medical and cosmetic, the actual cost of your ear surgery will depend on your specific needs. You will be provided with a detailed estimate during your consultation, once evaluation and assessment of your needs and goals have been performed and discussed.

A consultation with Dr. Singleton is the best way to determine if ear surgery is a good option for you. Schedule yours by calling our offices. Good candidates include those who want to change the appearance of their ears, who are in good health, and who don’t smoke.

Ear plastic surgery results are long-lasting. Many patients will never have the need to undergo the procedure again.

The cosmetic ear surgery may be performed at a surgeon’s clinic, a hospital, or an outpatient surgical facility. You will be given more details about your actual surgery during your pre-surgery consultation with Dr. Singleton.

The best otoplasty surgery in or around Chevy Chase is offered at the Capital Facial Plastic Surgery clinic located at 2 Wisconsin Cir #820, Chevy Chase, Maryland. We also serve patients in and around the Washington, D.C. Metro area.

Learn more about otoplasty in the Washington, D.C. area by scheduling a consultation with Dr. Singleton, our fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon.

Talk to a licensed and experienced facial plastic surgeon about your ear reshaping surgery

If you’re ready to reveal better-looking ears that perfectly complement your facial features, please feel free to call Capital Facial Plastic Surgery at (240) 630-8175 to schedule a one-on-one consultation with Dr. Singleton. You may also click here to schedule your appointment for a cosmetic ear surgery consultation.

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