What is ear correction surgery?
Ear correction surgery is used to set back prominent ears in both adults and in children to restore confidence and give a more attractive look. It can be performed on one or both ears as necessary. Very large ear lobes can be reduced at the same time if required. Surgery can be performed under Local anaesthetic with you awake. Alternatively if you would prefer a short General Anaesthetic can be used.
What can’t it do?
Ear correction surgery does not reduce the size of the ears or improve hearing.
What does ear correction involve?
Your surgeon will make a cut down the back of one or both ears. The cartilage inside is then trimmed, sculpted or folded using fine stitches if needed. The cuts are then stitched up and bandages are applied to hold your ears firmly in their new positions. The procedure takes around 1-2 hours to complete, depending upon the amount of work required. You will have either a local or a general anaesthetic and it's unlikely you will have to stay over in hospital.
Your recovery
Your bulky bandages will be removed after about three to four days, after which a head band or support dressing will need to be worn at night for two weeks. You can expect to be back to most normal activities within two weeks. It is wise to avoid any activity that may cause your ears to bend for at least 6 weeks following surgery.
Possible side effects of ear correction surgery
You may experience nausea from the anaesthetic, followed by bruising, swelling and some soreness. You may even notice a slight loss of hearing as a result of the swelling but this should last no longer than a few days. In general most of these symptoms should have subsided within a week.
Your results
Ear correction surgery is a permanent procedure to set back or reshape ears. Because cuts are made behind your ears, small scars are left close to the groove between the ear and the side of your head.