When one’s ears protrude significantly, they can become an unwanted focal point of the face. Protruding ears also make the ears appear larger than they are. At Montilla Plastic Surgery, we perform our Boston ear surgery, or otoplasty, to help patients with this issue. This procedure can also be performed on children who suffer from overly large or protruding ears. For all patients, ear surgery has a tremendous effect on restoring their self-esteem and feeling of well-being.
Aesthetic Issues Related to the Ears
An unwanted appearance of the ears is generally due to one or both of the following:
- The skull contains a small cartilage bowl where the ears are placed, allowing them to lay flat against the head. Some patients have an overly large bowl that pushes the ears away from the head.
- The cartilage along the rim of the ear sometimes fails to fully develop, leading to lack of support at the back of the ear, causing the ear to fall forward.
Ear Surgery Procedure
If you think otoplasty in Boston may be right for you, the first step will be to have a consultation with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Montilla. During this meeting, the doctor will discuss the procedure with you and help you decide if it’s your best option. He’ll also ask you about your specific aesthetic goals and answer any questions you may have. If you decide to move forward, Dr. Montilla will work with you to create a custom-tailored treatment plan.
Your ear surgery will likely be performed as an outpatient procedure using either general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation. To begin, Dr. Montilla will make a small incision on the back of the ear. He will then fold or sculpt the cartilage of the ear as necessary per your treatment plan. Once the adjustments are finished, the doctor will close the incisions with sutures and bandage the area. In total, the procedure should take approximately one to two hours to complete. You should be able to return home a couple of hours after the surgery, but you’ll need someone else to drive you.
Torn earlobe repair
Just like the ears in general, the earlobes don’t get much of the spotlight. Until, that is, they carry a defect or deformity of some kind. At this point, earlobes can be painfully noticeable, causing introversion in the patient.
An earlobe can be torn due to a number of reasons, such as trauma or injury that overcomes the strength of the lobe. Additionally, in those who wear earrings, the lobe may be torn if the earring gets caught in something or is improperly removed.
Torn earlobe repair can handle the issues connected with this, making the lobe intact once again. It is performed using local anesthetic and light sedation to ensure the patient’s total comfort. During your ear surgery in Boston, the idea is to rebuild the earlobe, so it is often necessary to remove scar tissue that may be left over from the tear. The repair is then performed according to the location, size and shape of the tear and how it is affected by the lobe’s natural anatomy. Once the earlobe is healed, it usually results in a hairline scar that is barely visible.
Risks of otoplasty
It’s important to monitor your post-operative recovery behavior. Our offices in Greater Boston Area or Worcester will ensure you do not smoke or engage in any other activities that will restrict your recovery.
During and after ear surgery, there are risks of:
- Bleeding
- Poor healing
- Infection
- Dissatisfaction with the results
Our instructions regarding post-op care are to be followed precisely to ensure the best possible results. You must stop smoking three weeks prior to surgery, and after surgery until full healing has been achieved and verified. There is the possibility of unevenness of ear projection and appearance. If sutures that are used to hold the ear in place are to break or pull through tissue, the possibility of revision surgery is possible.
Recovery
After your otoplasty in Worcester, you’ll likely experience some discomfort, itching, and swelling. To keep pressure off of your ear(s), it will be wise to avoid sleeping on your side in the days following the procedure. You can also minimize the swelling by periodically applying a cold compress to the treatment area. For the first week of recovery, you’ll want to rest frequently, taking occasional light walks around your house but generally taking it easy.
Most patients are able to return to work and resume their normal routines approximately five to seven days after undergoing ear surgery. However, it’s best to wait at least four to six weeks before you participate in strenuous physical activity.
A Surgeon Focused on Others
Whether in his own offices in Worcester or Greater Boston Area or abroad, Dr. Montilla applies himself to the betterment of others. He is a member of several non-profit organizations, each of which is focused on those less fortunate. Surgicorps International provides medical missions to those abroad who are unable to access medical help. Hands Across the World is a 501 nonprofit organization that provides free medical and surgical care, every year, to children and those in need in developing countries. Whether with these organizations or his own patients, Dr. Montilla leaves no stone unturned in ensuring his reach is as broad as possible.
