Why the Ears Feel Stiffer after Otoplasty, and Why this is Closer to their Natural Texture

[@vickicurtice6452]

I am a 67 year old female who finally had otoplasty bilaterally 3 days ago. I get the dressings off tomorrow,I can barely wait! I know this is a little late to be doing this, but I had a lifetime of teasing and being self conscious about my ears. I have never worn my hair up, never worn a ponytail and won't often go swimming because of the way my ears stuck out, I have always felt not as pretty as the other girls, deformed. I am so glad I finally did this although i have had some problems post surg. The Dr. Gave me a script for Vicodin for pain, it was effective at first, but after I took the 3rd one I started vomiting. I was taking them 2 hours apart. I've been making do with ibuprofen. There is pain after the surgery, I had jut done in the office under a local, because I had to be able to drive after. The pain is not really bad, but it's there. I have been sleeping upright in my recliner to keep the swelling down, and have noted very little drainage. What I saw before the big bandage was applied made me cry, it looked beautiful. To any one wanting to do this, go for it, don't wait. I may not live a lot more years, but I'll be happier, I did have a grandmother live to be 99 1/2.

[@AmiyaPrasadMD]

It's nice to hear you are happy with your decision, vicki!

[@KhushiDhankhar]

Hello sir I have one ear not shaped like my another ear..so can i go for otoplasty for one ear to make it shape like the another one..will it be possible...my ear that is shaped and i like..is not really stick but it is not much protruding also ...i fear that otoplasty will make my ear more stick..(actually main difference is in side view..in front view..it is noticeable if seen attentively)..give me suggestions please..I would be very thankful to u..

[@AmiyaPrasadMD]

Hi @KhushiDhankhar, Otoplasty is primarily for protruding ears. Asymmetry in ear shape is normal since the two halves of the face are formed separately, and most people do not even know or notice that their two ears are shaped differently. I generally don't recommend otoplasty unless the ears are noticeably protruding. I hope this clarifies things for you.

[@michellegonzalez526]

My 14yr old daughter had otoplasty surguery yesterday. It took 3 hours on 1 ear and 5 hours total.. because the cartilage was so hard. The doctor said he had never seen this in a teen. The sutures were causing recoil. He said he was satisfied with his last attempt. Is there anything you suggest to help her heal well and as fast as possible? She is a high-level soccer player and 6 weeks is a lot of time to miss. More importantly, I don't want her ears to be worse than they were, we are looking for the best results possible.

[@AmiyaPrasadMD]

Hi Brooke Meisel, Microneedling doesn't stop the skin from aging, nor does it prevent the effects of environmental factors like sun exposure, or lifestyle choices such as diet on the skin. I hope this clarifies things for you.

[@KhushiDhankhar]

Is there any online way to contact u ??

[@AmiyaPrasadMD]

Hi @KhushiDhankhar, We do offer virtual consultations on Skype, or FaceTime, but they do require a consultation fee. The consultation fee can be applied to the cost of treatment, but as indicated in my reply to your other comment, I generally only recommend otoplasty for protruding ears, not for normal, and unnoticeable asymmetry in ear shape. I hope this clarifies things for you.

[@maria-hz6xg]

I’ve had an otoplasty like 2 years ago and like right now it feels like it’s coming back to where it was, it doesn’t look the same way it did after 2 weeks of the surgery . Right now my ears feel uncomfortable and so unrelaxed

[@AmiyaPrasadMD]

Hi Rose water, Otoplasty has the tendency to regress if the ear cartilage is not reshapen and/or removed. Many doctors rely on sutures alone to pin the ears back, but this doesn't last because ear cartilage has "memory" of its original shape, which can be stronger than sutures. You can refer to these videos about it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iKfMn3x_Zcpjj8k kzbin.info/www/bejne/hZSqm6Gdeqp8p6s kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaesp4eNhrGompo

[@sassykulturesurridge5885]

I had my ears made smaller and pinned back 20 years ago. My ears are too stiff and too far close to my head. I can't afford surgery to correct 😢😢

[@AmiyaPrasadMD]

Hi @sassykulturesurridge5885, While I would have to physically examine your ears to give you a proper second opinion, as explained in the video, stiff ears are actually close to their natural state as if you didn't have surgery. Also, most people who do have otoplasty want their ears closer to their head, but often the surgery doesn't last if it's done with sutures alone. If yours lasted 20 years without becoming prominent, it does sound like your surgery was done better than most otoplasty procedures. I hope this helps you.

[@mouhib_bjd]

When can i bend my ears normally after an otoplasty

[@AmiyaPrasadMD]

Hi Mouhib Bjd, Bending the ears is generally not recommended after otoplasty as it can loosen sutures, but chances of regression depend on your surgeon's technique, especially if only sutures are used, and cartilage manipulation was not done. I hope this clarifies things for you.

[@mouhib_bjd]

@@AmiyaPrasadMD thank you for your time .. it's been two months now and all the sutures are gone is it ok to bend it now ?

[@AmiyaPrasadMD]

Hi@@mouhib_bjd, I generally don't recommend you manipulate your ears unnecessarily. You can ask your surgeon about it as I'm not aware of the work they did with your surgery.

[@mouhib_bjd]

@@AmiyaPrasadMD thank you doc I really appreciate your help

[@AmiyaPrasadMD]

You're welcome,@@mouhib_bjd

[@ramandeeps4uramandeeps4u80]

r u in india nd plz tell the cost of otoplasty

[@AmiyaPrasadMD]

Hi Ramandeeps4u Ramandeeps4u, Sorry, we are located in the USA where otoplasty prices are different than in India.

[@mhndmhdi8191]

Is there away to address prominent antihelical fold?

[@AmiyaPrasadMD]

Hi Mhnd Mhdi81, Yes, it usually requires cartilage manipulation to prevent regression after surgery. You can refer to these videos about it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fHjYfp5tjLVprrM kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaesp4eNhrGompo

[@anamejia5588]

Me gustaría hacerme esta cirugía , no se si hablan español. Vivo en Hempstead NY

[@AmiyaPrasadMD]

Hola Ana Mejia,Tenemos personal que habla español

[@dulmiperera2743]

Dr I have prominent ears but I'm ok with that look. But I want to know does ears get more prominent with age or it will be the same? Plz answer me

[@AmiyaPrasadMD]

Hi Dulmi Perera, The ears will not protrude more with age, but the earlobes do tend to thin and droop due to aging. I hope this clarifies things for you.

[@ziad3650]

It's been about a year since I have done otoplasty, yet I still can't move my ear freely like before, and I still happen to have some stitches in the back of my ear. What should I do?

[@AmiyaPrasadMD]

Hi Dark player, I can't make specific recommendations since I have not seen your ears, or know details of your surgery. I suggest you consult your original surgeon about concerns. I hope this helps you.

[@ziad3650]

@@AmiyaPrasadMD Is there a reason why I can't move my ear freely. Can someone fix that?

[@AmiyaPrasadMD]

@@ziad3650 I don't know since I haven't seen your ears, or know how your surgery was performed. You need a physical examination by a doctor to determine what can be done.

[@nomanabdullah5263]

I have the same concern and it’s been more than 2 years since I got mine done ? Let me know did you found the solution

[@Spider-man-dk1bl]

My ears are flexible, could this be because I have prominent ears?

[@AmiyaPrasadMD]

Hi Robin 23, Having flexible ears does not mean you have prominent ears. You can only have prominent ears if they are sticking out, or are proportionately large.

[@Spider-man-dk1bl]

Amiya Prasad, M.D. Ok, although is having flexible ears normal?