Otoplasty (Ear Surgery) Atlanta, GA

An otoplasty is a surgical procedure that reconstructs the ear. Ear surgery can reshape, reposition, and/or resize the ear based on the specifications of the patient. 

Unleash Your Inner Beauty

Many people have experienced teasing due to their large ears as children. This teasing can affect a person’s self-esteem even into adulthood. The afflicted may only feel comfortable when wearing their hair down, hiding their ears from sight. Confidence comes from within. When you feel good about yourself, it emanates inside-out. If you’ve experienced any self-esteem issues because of your ears, you might feel trapped by circumstance. Otoplasty can correct ear conditions that you consider less than ideal. Uncage your inner beauty with otoplasty.

Dr. Brian Arslanian, MD, FACS helps you empower yourself by enabling you to achieve the appearance you envision for yourself. He believes that classic beauty is a natural look that transcends trends and fickle fads. Learn more about what Dr. Arslanian can do for you by connecting either online or calling his Atlanta, Georgia office at (678) 894-9200. You can also follow Dr. Arslanian on Instagram where he is known as DrHotlanta for helping his patients achieve their most exquisite vision of themselves. 

About Otoplasty in Atlanta, GA

Ear surgery is not just popular with adults. In some years, a full ⅓ of ear surgeries are performed on children.[1] Parents want the best for their children. If a child has malformed, protruding, or just extra-large ears, parents might wish to spare their children from the worst type of teasing. Enter Dr. Arslanian, your partner in inspiring your child to be the best they can be.

What is otoplasty?

The ears are constructed from cartilage. This cartilage shapes and defines the position of your ears. Otoplasty reworks that cartilage and rebuilds the outer ear in ways that patients find more desirable. 

Benefits

  • Realign protruding ears so they sit in a flatter, more streamlined position 
  • Re-establish symmetry in asymmetric ears or misshapen ears
  • Readjust the size of extra-large ears to restore facial harmony 
  • Resize extra-small ears to create more balanced facial features
  • Correct any congenital ear abnormalities
  • Boost self-confidence and self-image

Studies over the years consistently show otoplasty is capable of generating important boosts to self-esteem. Both the parents and kids themselves report an increased quality of life following ear surgery.[2] For adults, patients report measurable increases not just in quality of life but also in productivity at work.[3]

Qualifying Candidates

Adult and teen candidates should be in good health and non-smokers. They should be free from any life-threatening medical conditions or anything might impede a healthy healing process. Children candidates should have fully formed ear cartilage. This usually occurs around five-years-old but, in some cases, this might be earlier. Whether the patient is an adult or a child, it’s important to have realistic expectations. Dr. Arslanian is a wonderful plastic surgeon but there are still limitations at what can be achieved. 

Your Private Consultation with Dr. Arslanian

Dr. Arslanian conducts consultations with a different approach than other surgeons. He views the initial consultation as an opportunity to get to know you as a person, not sell services to a customer. The doctor believes in helping patients achieve the vision they have for themselves in the safest manner possible. If he doesn’t feel a procedure is safe for you, he won’t perform it.

Otoplasty (Ear Surgery) Atlanta, GA

After medical school, Dr. Arslanian completed a 3-year general surgery residency at a Harvard hospital. Then he furthered his education with a 3-year residency in plastic and reconstructive surgery at Emory University, a focal point for plastic surgery in the South. He is Double Board-Certified and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons which verifies his commitment to the highest safety and ethical standards. Watch Dr. Arslanian discuss his philosophy and provide examples of procedures.

During your consultation with Dr. Arslanian, he will review your medical history and discussion any concerns or desires you have. He invites you to ask all the questions that come to mind. 

Some questions include:

  • Will I need any prescription medication?
  • How long should I wear my post-operation bandages?
  • How long until I can resume my normal activities including strenuous exercise?
  • When should I return for a follow-up appointment?
  • Are there any risks of which I should be aware?
  • Ask to see any before-and-after photos so you and/or your child will have realistic expectations.

Reach out to Dr. Arslanian either online or by calling our Atlanta, GA office at (678) 894-9200. We also offer remote consultations to make it more convenient for you. You can keep up to date with the latest news by following our blog. 

Prudent Preparation

  • Arrange a ride for going home after surgery. 
  • Expect to miss a few days of work or school.
  • Avoid smoking since smoking adds many health complications. 
  • Refrain from taking medication such as aspirin and ibuprofen that disturb the natural healing process. Take acetaminophen based medication instead.
  • If you are to undergo general anesthesia make sure not to eat or drink for at least 8 hours before surgery.
  • Wash your hair thoroughly. Men should have a haircut and women should style their hair in a way that ensures no obstruction. Ask Dr. Arslanian if you have any questions about how to arrange your hair before surgery.
  • Leave all jewelry at home before going to surgery.
  • Do not wear contact lenses or glasses into surgery
  • Avoid putting on makeup the day of surgery

What to Expect During Your Procedure

  1. Otoplasty begins with either local anesthesia, IV sedation, or general anesthesia. In children, this most likely means general anesthesia whereas adults usually have a choice in which form they prefer. 
  2. Dr. Arslanian will then make incisions, usually on the back of the ear to hide any small scars. With these incisions, he can resculpt the ear to create his patient’s desired results, be it flattening protruding ears or correcting a congenital abnormality. 
  3. After reshaping the ear, Dr. Arslanian will suture the ears. Patients should feel comfort in knowing that Dr. Arslanian will always suture and remove sutures himself so they will always receive the highest quality care. 

A Healthy Recovery

As with any surgery, it’s best to have a caregiver stay with you for at least one night following a procedure. Ask them to pick up any medication you’ve been prescribed. Recovery from otoplasty usually takes about 1 week, though this may be longer if the ear surgery was extensive. Patients should expect some discomfort for a few days immediately following the surgery. Swelling, redness, and even numbness can also be expected for some patients but this is natural and shouldn’t worry anyone. Patients will be sent home with bandages which will be replaced by a headband-like garment after a few days. Make sure to call the office with any concerns you have during the recovery phase.

Enjoy Spectacular Results

While the final results of your otoplasty take about 1-2 weeks to become apparent, you will notice a difference immediately following surgery. Otoplasty has a proven record of high levels of patient satisfaction and a large boost in quality of life. Adults have even been found to increase productivity at work as a result. These are the type of results that change a patient’s life. 

Complementary or Alternate Procedures 

If your infant has ear abnormalities, Dr. Arslanian offers a non-surgical alternative that can be used to help correct any ear deformities before their cartilage is fully formed. Dr. Arslanian recommends the EarWell device to treat infants under 6 weeks old. The use of this device can often correct abnormalities long before age 5-6 when a child becomes eligible for otoplasty.  EarWell devices will gently mold the development of your infant’s ears.

What is the Cost of Otoplasty in Atlanta?

During your initial assessment, Dr. Arslanian can quote you a specific price once he reviews your medical history and discusses your expectations. To offer you the most flexibility for payment, he accepts a variety of financing options that can suit your circumstances. Not all plastic surgeons accept financing, but Dr. Arslanian wants to offer his patients the widest range of options. 

FAQ

Where are the incisions made in otoplasty?

Dr. Arslanian makes incisions behind the ear which will hide the scars from view.

How long until I can resume strenuous activities such as sports or working out?

It’s usually recommended to refrain from intense physical activities for 1-2 months to allow your body the time to heal properly. Ask Dr. Arslanian and he can provide you with a specific answer tailored to your individual needs and case.

References 

  1. Kagan, Jerome; Gall, Susan B. (1998). The Gale encyclopedia of childhood & adolescence. Detroit: Gale. pp. Plastic Surgery. Doi: 10.1223/0810398842. 
  2. Hao, W., Chorney, J. M., Bezuhly, M., Wilson, K., & Hong, P. (2013). Analysis of Health-Related Quality-of-Life Outcomes and Their Predictive Factors in Pediatric Patients Who Undergo Otoplasty. Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 132(5). doi:10.1097/prs.0b013e3182a3c133
  3. Schwentner, I., Schmutzhard, J., Deibl, M., & Sprinzl, G. M. (2006). Health-related Quality of Life Outcome of Adult Patients after Otoplasty. Journal of Craniofacial Surgery, 17(4), 629-635. doi:10.1097/00001665-200607000-00004