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Prominent ears are something a lot of people deal with. Whether they stick out a bit too far or just look out of proportion with the rest of your face, it can be a major hit to your confidence. Most people just want their ears to blend in so they can stop thinking about them.
To help you understand how we can fix that, we’ve broken down everything you need to know about otoplasty, also known as ear pinning. Dr. Jose Rodríguez-Feliz is a board-certified plastic surgeon who focuses on the intricate details of the external ear to ensure results that look like you were born with them.
Otoplasty, or ear surgery, is a specialized surgical procedure used to change the shape, position, or size of the ears. This type of plastic surgery fixes prominent ears by reshaping the auricular cartilage, making sure the ears sit in a more natural position against the side of the head.
Cosmetic ear surgery is a versatile part of facial plastic surgery. While most people think of it as just "pinning," the otoplasty procedure can actually fix a whole range of ear deformities:
When you work with a skilled plastic surgeon, the benefits of this outpatient procedure reach far beyond just looks:
During your initial consultation, Dr. Rodríguez-Feliz will look over your medical record and medical history to make sure surgery is safe for you. We can treat one or both ears, depending on what you need. Once a child's ears are finished growing, usually by age five, they are ready for the procedure. Many parents try to do this before the child begins school to avoid any teasing. For adults, any healthy individual with realistic expectations is generally a good fit.
As a board-certified plastic surgeon, Dr. RF will say no to surgery if there is an active infection in the external auditory canal or external auditory meatus. We also have to be extra careful with anyone who has a history of excessive bleeding or blood clots. Smoking is a major hurdle because it can impair healing and lead to problems like suture extrusion or bad scarring. We want to ensure your body is in the best possible position to heal correctly.
We do this as an outpatient procedure right here in our accredited facility. We can talk about local or general anesthesia, but most people choose local numbing so they can get back on their feet faster. You’ll feel a quick pinch when we numb the area, but you won't feel pain during the surgery. You might hear some muffled "crunching" sounds as the conchal cartilage is reshaped or as Dr. RF adjusts the superior and inferior crura of the antihelix. This is totally normal.
The goal is a normal ear shape that fits your face, not one that looks like it’s being pulled back too tight. Dr. RF carefully removes excess skin and uses permanent internal stitches to tuck the ear back or recreate the scaphoid fossa. Because he specializes in facial plastic surgery, he understands how to maintain the ear's natural shape while achieving the desired correction.
After ear surgery, we’ll wrap your ears in a soft, supportive bandage. This wrap is huge for protecting the posterior skin and making sure the new ear position stays put while the tissue begins to set. Most patients feel ready for dinner or hanging out with friends after a few weeks. You’ll look more like yourself once the bulky wrap is replaced by a loose headband after about five days.
You’ll need to avoid any sports where your ear might get hit or bent for at least six weeks. Try to keep your head elevated, even when you sleep, for the first week. This stops that "throbbing" feeling and helps the swelling go down much faster. Following these aftercare steps is the best way to ensure the auricular cartilage heals in its new, refined position.
You’ll see a big difference the second the first bandages come off. While you’ll have some swelling for a few weeks, the change in how much your ears stick out is immediate. Since plastic and reconstructive surgery on the ear involves moving the conchal cartilage, these results don't change over time. You’ll finally have that natural appearance you wanted, with the tiny scars hidden in the natural crease behind the ear. Your ears will remain in this new, balanced position permanently.
The price for otoplasty varies depending on whether we are working on one or both ears, or if the case involves reconstructive surgery from a previous injury or previous surgeries.
Things like choosing local or general anesthesia also change the total. We’ll give you a full, honest quote during your initial consultation so there are no surprises. We also offer financing through CareCredit and PatientFi to help make the procedure work for your budget.
Dr. Rodríguez-Feliz is a board-certified plastic surgeon who specializes in facial plastic surgery and neck surgery.
While some surgeons just "pull the ears back," Dr. RF uses advanced plastic and reconstructive surgery methods to make sure the folds of the ear look soft and real. Because he does so many ear surgery cases in Miami, he has the experience to avoid that "surprised" or "plastered" look that happens when a surgeon isn't as specialized.
Most people say it feels more like a dull ache or some "tightness" rather than sharp pain. We’ll give you pain medication to keep you comfortable for those first few days after the procedure.
Most kids are back in class after about a week. It’s important they wear their loose headband as instructed and take it easy on the playground to avoid any accidental bumps to the ears.
Yes. This is a specific corrective surgery where we remove the lumpy tissue and fix the natural shape of the auricular cartilage to restore a normal appearance.
No. Dr. RF avoids the "over-pinned" look by focusing on the triangular fossa and antihelical fold. This ensures the ear has its natural, 3D shape rather than looking flat against the head.
Children always get general anesthesia to keep them still and safe. Adults usually choose local anesthesia with sedation so they don't have to deal with the grogginess of being fully "under" afterward.
Invest in the confidence that comes from loving your look. Contact our office to schedule a consultation with Coral Gables plastic surgeon Dr. Jose Rodríguez-Feliz today.
You deserve the best for yourself. When you make the choice to receive plastic surgery in Coral Gables from Dr. Jose Rodríguez-Feliz, you are choosing a specialist who is widely regarded by other professionals in his field as an expert in oculofacial plastic surgery. His innovative procedures and stunning results will help you be the best version of you.
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