Ear Surgery In Grass Valley, CA
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Large or protruding ears can be a detriment to a person’s confidence, especially for young children experiencing teasing or bullying about their appearance. No parent wants that for their child, making ear surgery or otoplasty one of the only cosmetic surgeries routinely performed on children. However, otoplasty is not limited to children, as it can help adults see more aesthetically pleasing, uniform results for their ears. Other conditions treated with ear surgery include large earlobes and split or stretched earlobes. In each case, the goal is to produce a more normal, balanced, and symmetric ear appearance.
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Dr. Lattyak offers ear surgery at the Élan Clinic, detailing individualized treatment plans to help each patient see a result they can be proud of. Our team is here to help you and your child experience a smooth and positive plastic surgery experience.
What Is Ear Surgery?
Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is usually done to set prominent ears back closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears. For the most part, the operation is done on children between the ages of four and 14. Ears are almost fully grown by age four, and the earlier the surgery, the less teasing and ridicule the child will have to endure. Ear surgery on adults is also possible, and there are generally no additional risks associated with ear surgery on an older patient.
Otoplasty is also used to treat less common congenital ear deformities, including lop ear, when the tip seems to fold down and forward; cupped ear, which is usually a very small ear; and shell ear, when the curve in the outer rim, as well as the natural folds and creases, are missing. Surgery can also improve large, stretched, or split earlobes (from gauged piercings or plugs, for example) or lobes with large creases and wrinkles.
Learn More About Dr. LattyakWhat Are the Benefits of Ear Surgery?
Cosmetic ear surgery has a wide range of applications that aim to result in normal, natural-looking ears. There is usually great variation in the needs of the patient, as otoplasty can involve a variety of techniques to achieve the specific aesthetic goal of the patient.
Ear surgery can correct asymmetries between the ears, reshape the ears, or bring them closer to the patient’s head. Additionally, if the earlobe has been split or overly stretched, earlobe repair surgery can restore the lobes to a more normal appearance, allowing patients to re-pierce their ears and eventually wear earrings again.
Am I a Candidate for Ear Surgery?
Ideal candidates for cosmetic ear surgery are adults or children who have large, protruding, or misshapen ears. Additionally, parents of young children may seek this procedure to prevent their child from experiencing ridicule or bullying due to their large ears. Other candidates may have stretched or split earlobes due to aging, certain types of piercings, or heavy earrings.
Candidates for ear surgery want to:
- Correct asymmetries
- Improve small imperfections and birth defects
- Move the ears closer to the head
- Straighten curved ears
- Reduce long or hanging earlobes
- Create a more uniform, pleasing appearance to one or both ears
- Repair stretched or split earlobes
What Are My Ear Surgery Options?
Ear Pinning
Ear pinning, sometimes called otoplasty, is a procedure that brings the ears closer to the head by “pinning” or suturing the ears. This procedure is ideal for patients with large ears or ears that stick out from their heads, often resulting in feelings of shame or embarrassment for the patient. Many parents seek this procedure for their young children, hoping to prevent or remedy teasing or bullying. Ear pinning can be performed using local anesthesia, but general anesthesia might be recommended, especially for young children.
Earlobe Repair
Another type of ear surgery that Dr. Lattyak offers is earlobe repair, sometimes called split earlobe repair. Sometimes, due to age or aesthetic choices such as heavy jewelry, pierced lobes can become overly stretched, with the piercing hole eventually creating a split in the ears. Other patients may seek earlobe repair if they have plugs or gauged earrings, which stretch the earlobes for aesthetic purposes. This can be reversed for an improved, more natural-looking lobe through earlobe repair. Most patients are able to undergo earlobe repair in the office with local anesthesia.
Combining Your Ear Surgery with Other Procedures
Adult patients seeking ear surgery may be able to combine their procedure with another facial enhancement procedure to create a more cohesive result. Additionally, it can be beneficial to combine procedures in one surgical setting to reduce recovery time and certain surgical fees. If you would like to combine your ear surgery with another procedure, be sure to discuss your options with Dr. Lattyak during your consultation. Some combination procedures include:
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Facelift or Mini Facelift
Some patients may benefit from combining their ear surgery with a facelift or mini facelift, as these complementary procedures can be easily combined for a more effective result. While ear surgery is not necessarily related to aging, it can be beneficial for patients who are already considering facial rejuvenation to combine the two procedures.
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Blepharoplasty
Similarly, blepharoplasty or eyelid surgery may be a great option for patients with signs of aging around the eyes. During this procedure, Dr. Lattyak makes very small incisions along the lower or upper eyelid in order to tighten loose muscles and remove excess skin and pockets of fat. This procedure can be beneficial to patients who have puffy or sagging eyelids due to aging or genetics.
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Non-surgical Aesthetic Treatments at the Élan Medspa
Ear surgery, especially earlobe repair, can be a very straightforward procedure that does not necessitate the need for general anesthesia and can be performed in the office with only a local anesthetic. Some patients who may only need minor earlobe repair may wish to also pair their procedure with a non-surgical aesthetic treatment like BOTOX® Cosmetic injections, laser skin resurfacing, or dermal fillers.
How Is Ear Surgery Performed?
Your Consultation
Your consultation with Dr. Lattyak is an essential step in your ear surgery procedure, as it gives you time to ask any questions you may have as well as voice any concerns. Dr. Lattyak will be frank in his discussion of the procedure, including what you can expect from the results.
Ear surgery is just as much a surgical procedure as any other, even if it can be performed using local anesthetic. It’s important that you, as the patient or parent of the patient, understand all of the risks and benefits of ear surgery so that you can make an informed decision about moving forward with the procedure. Dr. Lattyak will give you all the information you need so that you can feel confident in your decision.
If you and Dr. Lattyak decide that ear surgery is a good option for you or for your child, he will create a custom surgical plan that reflects your goals and needs.
If you are interested in ear surgery, or you would like to see if you or your child are a candidate for this procedure, call the Élan Clinic today at (530) 273-3400 to schedule a consultation with Dr. Lattyak.
The Ear Surgery Procedure
Ear surgery to treat prominent ears usually takes about two to three hours, although complicated procedures may take longer. The technique will depend on the needs of the patient and the complexity of their condition.
During an ear pinning procedure, using one of the more common techniques, Dr. Lattyak makes a small incision in the back of the ear to expose the ear cartilage. He will then sculpt the cartilage and reshape the ear to correct the protrusion. Permanent stitches may be used to help maintain the new shape. If needed, Dr. Lattyak will reduce the cartilage to provide a more natural-looking fold when the surgery is complete. Another technique involves a similar incision in the back of the ear with skin removal and stitch placement to fold and reshape the ear. Cartilage is typically not removed with this technique.
In most cases, ear surgery will leave a faint scar on the back of the ear that will fade with time. Even when only one ear appears to protrude, surgery is usually performed on both ears for a better balance.
If you have a split earlobe due to earrings or injury, Dr. Lattyak can provide earlobe repair by cutting out the portion of scar tissue on both edges of the split before suturing them back together. For stretched earlobe repair after plugs or gauged earrings, Dr. Lattyak will similarly remove scar tissue and bring the edges of the hole together, manipulating the remaining tissue to create the most normal earlobe appearance possible.
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What Is Ear Surgery Recovery Like?
After ear pinning surgery, the head is typically wrapped in a bulky bandage to promote the best molding and healing. The ears may throb or ache a little for a few days, but this can be relieved by medication.
Within a few days, the bulky bandages will be replaced by a lighter head dressing similar to a headband. Be sure to follow Dr. Lattyak’s directions when wearing this dressing, especially at night. Stitches are usually removed or will dissolve in about a week.
Any activity in which the ear might be bent should be avoided for a month or so. Most adults can go back to work about one week after surgery. Children can also go back to school after one week or so if they’re careful about playground activity. You may want to ask your child’s teacher to keep an eye on the child for a few weeks. Dr. Lattyak may also ask you to avoid wearing glasses or sunglasses until your ears are fully healed, which is about a month to six weeks.
Earlobe repair recovery is generally more straightforward, as you will likely only need to protect and care for a small incision on each ear. Dr. Lattyak will provide you with specific aftercare instructions unique to your surgical plan.
When Will I See My Ear Surgery Results?
Most patients, young and old alike, are thrilled with the results of ear surgery. But keep in mind the goal is improvement, not perfection. Don’t expect both ears to match perfectly–perfect symmetry is both unlikely and unnatural in ears. If you’ve discussed the procedure and your expectations with Dr. Lattyak before the operation, chances are you’ll be quite pleased with the results.
Following ear surgery, the patient can enjoy more uniform, natural-looking ears in shape and protrusion.
View before & after galleryHow Much Does Ear Surgery Cost in Grass Valley, CA?
Each ear surgery is designed for the specific patient, including the techniques used, the amount of necessary correction, and the type of anesthesia used. Additionally, the cost of ear surgery may vary if other procedures are combined, such as a facelift or eyelid surgery.
Once you have your consultation, Dr. Lattyak will create a surgical plan and provide you with an accurate cost estimate.
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What Our Patients Are Saying
“I really appreciate the time taken to explain procedures and options by Dr. Lattyak when I came in for multiple procedures stemming from a car accident 10 years ago. Quality work and practically painless!” “I’m a 60 year old teacher, not quite ready to retire. For my end of career time in the classroom I wanted to look more refreshed and youthful. Dr. Lattyak and his staff helped make this dream come true. The results of upper eyelid and brow lift are beautiful and the recovery period was over quickly. Thanks for everything.”
“I am so happy with my experience with Dr. Lattyak, his staff, and my surgery results. I will (and do!) recommend this office to anyone considering surgery.”
“Never had a better treatment. Nurses were great and Dr. Lattyak is remarkable.”