Ear Surgery

Ears that don’t quite fit your face — whether because they’re too large or aren’t quite big enough — can be a frustrating fact of life. In some cases they can be a source of self-consciousness, while in others they can even be the source of bullying and social embarrassment. At Wirth Plastic Surgery, we offer ear surgery to patients in Newport Beach and the surrounding areas, which can correct the size and shape of your ear, for a more balanced and symmetrical appearance.

Before & After

Enhance Your Silhouette with the Perfect Ears

Ear surgery, also known as otoplasty or “ear pinning,” is a procedure that can enhance your appearance by adjusting the shape, position or proportion of your ears. Garrett Wirth, MD, MS, FACS is a Board Certified plastic surgeon in Orange County with years of experience performing ear surgery. By giving your ears a more natural shape, Dr. Wirth can also bring balance and proportion to the rest of your face.

Am I a Candidate for Ear Surgery?

Ear surgery is a highly individualized procedure that can be elected for both adults and children who are at least five years of age. The best candidates will possess good overall physical and mental health, as well as realistic expectations of surgery. It is also important to note that this is a distinct surgery from earlobe repair surgery, which addresses damage or trauma to the earlobe. During your consultation with Garrett Wirth, MD, MS, FACS, he will be able to determine if ear surgery is right for your cosmetic goals.

Ear surgery may be right for you if you have one or more of the following conditions:

Protruding ears on one or both sides, unrelated related to hearing loss
Macrotia (excessively large ears)
Dissatisfaction with the results of prior ear surgery

How Does Ear Surgery Work?

Ear surgery typically takes less than two hours to perform and requires either local or general anesthesia, based on Dr. Wirth’s recommendations. His surgical technique will vary depending upon what type of ear surgery you have elected. Once you have been sedated, Dr. Wirth will make a predetermined incision, generally made on the back surface of the ear. If a frontal incision is required, however, it will be concealed within the natural folds of the ear.

Following the incision, Dr. Wirth will trim or remove excess cartilage and skin. Once the ear has been shaped to a more proportionate form, Dr. Wirth will place permanent internal sutures to secure the newly-shaped cartilage, with temporary sutures placed to close incisions made to the external ear. Following your surgery, bandages or dressings will be placed around your ear to aid in healing and to provide additional support to the ear’s new shape and position.

What Happens After Ear Surgery?

Immediately following your surgery, you’ll likely experience a throbbing or aching in your ears, which may last for a few days, and Dr. Wirth may prescribe pain medication to reduce discomfort. Recovery times vary among patients, but most are mobile within a few hours of surgery. You’ll need to wear bulky bandages around your head for the first few days, which will then be swapped for a thinner headband dressing, with your temporary sutures being removed within a week.

Enjoying the Ears of Your Dreams

Garrett Wirth, MD, MS, FACS will provide you with personalized post-operative instructions for taking care of your ears after surgery, which might include the application of a topical medication or oral medications to aid in healing and reduce the risk of infection.

You’ll be able to return to work and most normal activities within a week. Once the initial dressings or bandages are removed, the results of your ear surgery will be immediately apparent.

You may have some scarring from surgery, but it will fade with time, and you’ll be able to enjoy ears that perfectly complement the rest of your facial features.

Wirth Plastic Surgery Can Help

If you’ve been feeling frustrated by ears that are too large, too small, or generally don’t quite complement your facial features in the way that you’d like, reach out and set up a consultation here at Wirth Plastic Surgery. We’re here for patients in Newport Beach and the surrounding areas, and we want to hear for you if you think ear surgery might be the right choice for you. Garrett Wirth, MD, MS, FACS brings an aesthetic eye and years of procedural experience to each and every procedure, and he’s excited to help you absolutely love the way you look. Set up your consultation and learn more about ear surgery in Newport Beach today!