Generally, we don’t consider our ears to play an important role in our appearance. Rarely judged, they remain insignificant unless unattractive, outstanding, or large. If their ears are prominent and look abnormal, they can blemish their entire appearance, overshadowing their overall pleasing appearance.

Ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, can improve the shape, appearance, or position of the ear, whether to correct a defect in the structure of the ear, treat an ear injury that has affected the shape, or simply for aesthetic reasons.

What is otoplasty?

otoplasty is‘Cosmetic ear surgery’ and it has become quite common in both adults and children. It is performed to change the position and shape of the ears. In other words, it makes your ears appear less prominent. It has several types, but the most common procedure is to shape the ears, placing them as close as possible to the skull.

Like any other surgical process, it has risks, especially for children. Many parents are reluctant to allow their children to undergo facial surgery of this type due to pain, infection, and symmetry issues.

If you or your child have disproportionately large ears, which make you feel embarrassed, otoplasty can be a solid, permanent cosmetic solution. However, before making the decision to undergo this procedure, it is essential that you weigh its pros and cons to determine if it is worth it or not.

Advantages of otoplasty

1. Otoplasty is no different from any other cosmetic reconstructive surgery. The goal here is to improve your facial appearance. If your ears are large and seem too far away from your skull, surgery can help reshape your ears and make them more proportionate.

2. Being bullied or teased because of the shape of the ears is not only common but also emotionally daunting to the self-esteem of both a child and an adult. Bullying can be a major factor behind not liking your own ears. This cosmetic ear surgery will help you and your child regain lost confidence.

3. Surgery can restore the original shape of the ear if it was injured during an accident.

4. Surgery can help treat different types of defects in the structure of the ear.

5. The results are long-lasting, while the surgery requires very little time, usually being completed within a couple of hours.

Cons of otoplasty

1. Otoplasty involves complications such as bleeding, cartilage infection, skin infection, and prolonged pain.

2. Cosmetic surgery sometimes takes a long healing time, especially for the scars to fade or if the patient has health problems such as diabetes.

3. There have been cases of otoplasty where patients experienced permanent numbness of the face and ears.

4. The surgery depends mainly on the efforts and skills of the primary doctor. If your chosen plastic surgeon is not professional and competent, you may face dangerous side effects after surgery.

5. Although cosmetic ear surgery is permanent, there is a 40 percent chance of a possible recurrence.

Bottom line

In conclusion, the idea of ​​otoplasty sounds nice and attractive and has many advantages, but it is essential to consider the disadvantages and associated side effects. It is a surgical process and carries the risk of bleeding, pain, and infections that can become big concerns. Therefore, be sure to evaluate the procedures, the recovery process, and the possible results of the surgery by discussing them with your cosmetic surgeon.