Ear Surgery
Men and women considering otoplasty (ear surgery) in Orlando often do so after years of experiencing self-consciousness about enlarged or prominent ears. Otoplasty patients are typically among the most satisfied of facial plastic surgery patients, due to the tremendous impact this procedure has on their self-esteem.
If you are troubled by the appearance of your ears, you've found the solution in Dr. Spence, renowned throughout Florida for his exceptional facial plastic surgery experience, knowledge, and skills. He will meticulously analyze your entire face, listen attentively and thoughtfully to your concerns, and provide you with the beautifully sculpted, naturally balanced results you want.
Take the first step on your journey to enhancing the appearance of your ears. Request a consultation with Dr. Spence today. Or, you can give us a call at 407-999-2585, and one of our knowledgeable staff members will be happy to help you.
Meet Dr. Spence
With extensive knowledge and skills, Dr. Kenrick Spence specializes in achieving a beautiful, healthy look you'll love!
What is Otoplasty?
Otoplasty is a term used to describe cosmetic ear surgery. The most commonly known otoplasty is "ear pinning", which is performed to correct protrusion. However, otoplasty may also focus on the earlobes to correct natural elongation or irregular shape or to repair tears or other injuries.
Who is a Candidate for Ear Surgery?
You may benefit from ear surgery if you have:
- Overly large ears
- Ears that protrude from your face
- Misshapen ears
- Large, torn or misshapen ear lobes.
To view the naturally beautiful results that Dr. Spence achieves, view our Before and After Photos.
How Soon After the Procedure Will I See My Results?
You will be able to see the effects of your otoplasty procedure right away after your procedure. However, expect swelling to worsen before it gets better. It can take up to six weeks for swelling to subside enough for the final outcome of your ear surgery to be fully apparent. Before that time, support your healing process by carefully adhering to your post-operative instructions. If you have had your ears pinned, it is essential that you wear your headband as directed. Doing so maximizes your healing, reduces the risk of complications, and also helps retain the new position of your ears.
Will the Results of My Otoplasty Procedure Look Natural?
Yes. Dr. Spence is an accomplished and respected Orlando plastic surgeon. He has been in practice for over twenty years and is known for his dedication to patient outcomes. When consulting with patients about otoplasty, his sense of integrity guides him to perform a thorough examination of facial anatomy, head size and shape, and other factors that influence overall appearance. The ears are an integral facial feature, just like the nose. Therefore, otoplasty cannot be performed well by only looking at the ears themselves. With thoughtful examination, your otoplasty results should look completely natural.
Will Otoplasty Surgery Impact My Hearing Abilities?
No. Otoplasty is an external procedure performed only on the outer structures of the ears. The inner areas of the ear that are involved in hearing are untouched.
Will I Be Awake During My Ear Surgery?
One of the advantages of adult otoplasty is that the procedure can be performed using local anesthesia alone. This technique is sufficient for ensuring your comfort and peace of mind that you will not feel any discomfort during the minor surgery. As the ears are repaired or corrected, you may feel pressure from the doctor's hands but should not have direct sensation in the areas where incisions are made. Once the procedure is over, the effects of the local anesthetic may linger for a short time, providing you with your initial post-operative pain management. You will also be prescribed pain medication to maintain your comfort during your brief recovery period.
Preparing for Your Procedure
In contrast to many other surgeons who offer ear surgery, Dr. Spence conducts a detailed evaluation of the facial aesthetics involved in your procedure, including your skin, your facial bone structure, and a discussion of the results that you want to achieve. They use that information to design an ear surgery treatment plan that can correct concerns such as protruding or enlarged ears, achieving balance among the facial features.
Dr. Spence will also provide you with detailed instructions for your recovery, so that you can prepare ahead of time.
Ear Surgery Procedure
Performed in an outpatient setting, ear surgery requires only local anesthesia to keep you comfortable throughout your procedure. Dr. Spence conceals the incisions behind your ears or in the crease of the ears, where they blend into the skin folds. They then precisely correct your concerns, from torn earlobes to protruding ears. After the alterations are made, Dr. Spence completes the procedure with tiny sutures to facilitate the healing process and minimize scars.
Recovery & Results
No overnight stay is needed after the procedure. Dr. Spence provides instructions for recovery, and most patients experience only mild discomfort, which can be alleviated with oral medication. Patients usually return to their regular routines in 5 to 7 days. However, Dr. Spence usually recommends that vigorous physical activity be avoided for about a month.
The benefits of otoplasty from Dr. Spence include beautifully shaped ears that are in proportion with the other facial features. Patients concerned with misshapen or overly large ear lobes typically tell them that they love the improvement after surgery, and many of Dr. Spence's patients say that for the first time in their lives, they aren't embarrassed to pull back their hair and reveal their ears!
Otoplasty Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Ear pinning is best performed by a board certified plastic surgeon, who is extensively trained in surgery of the external ear. Dr. Spence underwent extensive training in surgery of the ear during his training at the Shriners Institute in Texas. He has transitioned this to his private practice now with a large successful practice in surgery of the ear.
Abnormalities of the ear affect over 5% of the population, and are quite common, causing issues with self-esteem and appearance. Otoplasty or ear pinning is frequently performed on patients who believe their ears project too far from the side of the head these patients may have over development of the bowl of the ear or a poorly formed Y of the ear. Otoplasty must correct each portion of the deformity for a successful result.
In addition to the correction of abnormal development of the ear, correction of ear abnormalities due to burns, trauma and removal of skin cancer also takes place at Hillcrest Plastic surgery
Large ears can cause significant distress. This condition is called Macrotia.
Yes, Macrotia can be corrected through an ear reduction procedure. This involves fine line scars, either hidden in the crease of the ear in front or behind the air. This can be performed under Local or general anesthesia with a relatively short recovery.
This condition is called cryptotia where the top of the ear is adequately developed but is pulled close to the side of the head by very strong muscles appearing to be buried beneath the skin This is corrected surgically by releasing the pull of the muscles releasing the skin, tethering the top of the ear. All scars are hidden behind the ear.
An ear mold is worn for five days
Stahl's ear involves the abnormal development of Cartlidge with distortion of the Y of the ear. The top of the ear seems almost flattened with an extra piece of cartilage, running out to the rim. This is corrected through incisions at the back of the ear transplanting the abnormal bit of Cartilage to its normal location
This can be corrected at Hillcrest Plastic Surgery by Dr. Spence. The larger earlobe may be reduced with the incision hidden in the crease of the ear, where it meets the cheek or the smaller earlobe may be enhanced with fat, filler, or skin from behind the ear.
Minimal incision otoplasty is used by Dr. Spence to correct less prominent problems of curvature of the ear. It involves making small incisions and passing sutures through the small incisions to correct ear projection. This procedure has less recovery time but it’s not applicable to all ear deformities.
Traumatic ear deformities can be corrected by reconstruction using borrowed Cartilage from the normal ear, without changing its shape, along with skin from behind the affected ear, to create the missing portion of the traumatized ear
The procedure can be repeated by a surgeon, skilled in ear surgery, correcting the spring of the cartilage and properly shaping the ear often produces a good long-term lasting result
Yes. Telephone ears can be corrected and stem from the overcorrection of the middle of the air. Leaving the top and bottom projecting. This may also occur from under correction of the top and bottom third of the ear. The procedure involves release of the middle, third of the ear and appropriate reshaping of the upper and lower thirds to give a lasting and aesthetically pleasing result.
Ear surgery is an art. The ear has many contours from Cartlidge's thin skin with very little fat. Ear surgery is very intolerant of bleeding so all blood thinners and supplements that can cause bleeding must be stopped prior to surgery, depending on the nature of the surgery, be prepared to wear a head wrap or air mold for 3 to 5 days after surgery and perhaps at night time for an additional two weeks. Any history of keloids family, history of keloids or thick scars, or problems with prior piercings must be reported to your surgeon.
Schedule An Appointment In Orlando
If you feel insecure about how your ears look or are otherwise unhappy with their appearance, call Dr. Spence in Orlando today at 407-999-2585 to set up an appointment. Alternatively, you can reach out to us online. We look forward to meeting you!
