Do you avoid having your picture taken because you’re bothered by the appearance of your ears? Maybe they stick out a little too much. Or perhaps they feel disproportionate with the rest of your face. Fortunately, you can alleviate this and get a more balanced look with an ear pinning (also known as otoplasty) procedure that can reshape and reposition the ears.
But there are also emotional benefits of ear pinning. The decision to undergo it is often motivated by a desire to just feel more confident in everyday life.
And it works. Patients frequently report feeling more comfortable when they look in the mirror. This makes them less anxious in public and willing to engage in social events and have photos taken where they previously didn’t.
Those Who Benefit From Ear Pinning
Most people who seek ear pinning tend to have congenital ear conditions. In many cases, the auricle didn’t develop properly, resulting in protruding, constricted, or misshapen ears. Ear pinning corrects these conditions.
Since the auricle doesn’t reach 90% of its adult size until the age of five, that’s the minimal age for ear pinning surgery. However, adults of all ages seek out ear pinning surgery as well. They just need to be in good health and be non-smokers or quit smoking weeks before the procedure.
Prepping for Ear Pinning Surgery
Because you’ll have some form of anesthesia, the first thing you’ll need to do is arrange transportation.
For many patients, local anesthesia is enough. In this situation, the ear and skin surrounding it are numbed while you stay fully conscious. You won’t feel pain, though you may experience slight pressure or movement.
If you’d prefer not to be fully conscious but don’t want to be ‘knocked out,’ your surgeon can do local anesthesia with sedation. Also known as “twilight sleep,” you’ll receive a sedative through an IV or by mouth that will make you very relaxed, sleepy, and not nervous about, or even unaware of, the procedure.
In situations where the patient is very anxious or may have difficulty being still during the procedure, general anesthesia will render them completely asleep. An anesthesiologist will monitor all vitals.
Whatever the case, in the week before surgery, you’ll be given instructions to avoid certain medications that could increase bleeding risk. You’ll be made fully aware of the procedure during your consultation, and on the day of the surgery, your medical team will walk you through it again.
So What Is the Ear Pinning Procedure?
First, the surgeon makes a small incision in the natural crease behind the ear. Excess cartilage is weakened, folded, or trimmed to construct a proper inner fold or reduce any deep bowl in the ear.
Dissolvable stitches are used to close the back skin while permanent internal stitches hold the new shape in place. It’s a simple procedure that can make a huge difference in the patient’s life.
What to Expect While Recovering
Of course, you’ll be given specific post-op instructions for attending to your incision site, changing bandages, and being vigilant about signs of infection.
You’ll need to wear a head dressing or wrap for the first few days to protect the new shape. This will be swapped out for a softer headband or wrap to be worn continuously for at least a week. Then it will be required only at night.
You can expect to return to work within a week, though you’ll need to avoid strenuous activities for a few weeks. Any swelling will typically fade in 2 to 3 weeks, and normal activities can be resumed after just a week or so.
The Emotional Benefits of Ear Pinning
While the physical improvements are obvious, most patients also report emotional benefits of ear pinning. They’re able to shed years of worry about their appearance and can express themselves in new ways.
It’s exhilarating to experience a sense of alignment between how they feel and look, so they can finally engage with the world around them.
So if you feel the appearance of your years is holding you back from fully expressing yourself and living with confidence, contact us today to talk with our board-certified surgeons about an ear pinning procedure. And liberate yourself!