Ear Surgery in Des Moines, IA | Des Moines Plastic Surgery

Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) in Des Moines, IA

Ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, is a cosmetic procedure designed to reshape, reposition, or resize the ears for a more balanced and proportionate appearance. Whether you’re looking to correct prominent ears, asymmetry, or congenital deformities, our board-certified plastic surgeons, Dr. Robbins and Dr. Marcano, specialize in achieving natural-looking results tailored to your individual needs.

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What is Otoplasty?

Otoplasty is a surgical procedure that enhances the shape, position, or size of the ears. It is commonly performed to:

Correct prominent ears that stick out too far from the head
Improve ear symmetry and balance
Address congenital ear deformities
Restore the appearance of ears after trauma or injury

By customizing each procedure to the patient’s unique anatomy, Dr. Robbins and Dr. Marcano ensure results that enhance facial harmony while maintaining a natural look.

Why Choose Dr. Robbins and Dr. Marcano for Ear Surgery?

Our expert plastic surgeons, Dr. Robbins and Dr. Marcano, bring years of experience and advanced surgical techniques to every otoplasty procedure. Their precise approach and commitment to patient satisfaction ensure outstanding aesthetic and functional results.

Benefits of Otoplasty with Our Experts:

Customized approach – Every patient receives a personalized surgical plan based on their needs and goals.
Advanced techniques – Both surgeons use the latest minimally invasive methods for optimal results and minimal downtime.
Boost in confidence – Correcting ear concerns can improve self-esteem and overall facial symmetry.

The Otoplasty Procedure

Otoplasty is typically performed as an outpatient procedure under local or general anesthesia. Depending on your needs, the surgery may involve:

Ear Pinning: Reducing prominence by reshaping the cartilage and repositioning the ears closer to the head.
Ear Reshaping: Correcting asymmetry or deformities by sculpting and refining ear contours.
Earlobe Repair: Addressing torn, stretched, or damaged earlobes due to injury or piercings.

The procedure usually takes 1-2 hours, and patients can return home the same day.

Recovery and Results

Following surgery, patients can expect mild swelling and discomfort, which typically subside within a few days. A headband or dressing may be recommended to support healing. Most patients return to normal activities within a week, with final results becoming fully visible in a few months.

Am I a Candidate for Otoplasty?

You may be a good candidate for ear surgery if you:

Feel self-conscious about the size, shape, or prominence of your ears
Are in good overall health with realistic expectations
Have fully developed ears (typically age 5 and older)

During your consultation, Dr. Robbins or Dr. Marcano will assess your concerns, discuss your goals, and create a tailored surgical plan for optimal results.

Before & After Gallery

Ear Surgery Before and After Photo by Dr David Robbins

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When Do I Consider Ear Pinning Surgery?

Ear pinning surgery can improve the size, shape, and position of your ears. It may be time to consider ear-pinning surgery for you or your child if:

You or your child feel self-conscious or embarrassed
Your child is being constantly teased about his or her ears
You or your child has undergone significant injury or trauma to the ear

As a general rule, the best candidates for ear-pinning surgery will be healthy and possess realistic expectations. Ear pinning surgery is not recommended for children under four years of age because their ears may not be fully developed.

Ear Surgery Frequently Asked Questions

Ear pinning surgery is performed on an outpatient basis at Des Moines Plastic Surgery™ in our fully accredited operating room. For younger patients, surgery is typically completed under general anesthesia; on older patients, local anesthesia coupled with sedation is usually appropriate.

There are several techniques that may be used during ear surgery depending on the cosmetic problem. In most instances, Dr. Robbins will make a small incision along the back of the ear, exposing the cartilage. Dr. Robbins will then be able to modify or augment the underlying shape. Often, permanent sutures will also be used to help the ear hold its new shape.

Immediately following surgery, which will be done within our fully accredited in-office operating room, a compression garment will be wrapped around your head. You will need to wear this garment for 7 to 10 days. It’s possible that you will experience some discomfort, itching or throbbing in your ears. Dr. Robbins will provide you with prescription pain medication to make this initial phase of recovery more manageable.

Bruising and swelling will be visible for a couple of weeks, but you should be able to return to work and other normal routines within a week to 10 days. Children returning to school should opt out of physical education classes for at least a month.

Dr. Robbins will make every effort to conceal incisions within the natural contours of your ears, so visible scarring should be minimal. Any scarring immediately following surgery will gradually fade and flatten over the course of several months to a year.

Because permanent sutures are often placed during ear pinning surgery, your results will be long-lasting. There is a small risk of relapse after surgery.

Ear pinning surgery offers a high success rate with a low incidence of complications; however, it’s important to remember that all surgical procedures present a degree of risk and uncertainty. These risks will be discussed during your consultation with Dr. Robbins at Des Moines Plastic Surgery™. Some risks may include, but not limited to, infection, allergic reaction to anesthesia, blood clots or the need for revision surgery.

Learn More About Ear Pinning Surgery
In Des Moines

If you’re considering ear surgery in Des Moines, Dr. Robbins and Dr. Marcano are here to help. Schedule a consultation today to learn how otoplasty can enhance your appearance and confidence.

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