Refine Your Ears for Balanced Beauty

At The Warner Institute, we understand the significance your ears have on your overall self-image. Serving the Northfield and greater Chicago area with ear surgery and many other procedures, we work closely with patients to enhance their self-image and boost their confidence. Whether you're seeking to adjust the size of your ears, address distorted form, or correct other cosmetic concerns, we offer personalized treatment plans to address your ear irregularities, ensuring natural and satisfying results.

What is Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)?

Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is designed to reshape and reposition the ears for a more balanced and aesthetically pleasing appearance. It commonly addresses ear-related concerns, such as prominent or protruding ears, ear deformities, torn or stretched earlobes, and other irregularities. Otoplasty can be performed on both children and adults and is aimed at enhancing self-confidence, reducing self-consciousness, and improving the overall harmony of facial features.

The Benefits of Ear Surgery

Otoplasty, or ear surgery, offers a range of benefits to individuals seeking to enhance their ear aesthetics and overall self-confidence. The advantages of ear surgery include:

Boosted Self-Confidence:

By addressing ear-related concerns, otoplasty can significantly improve self-image and boost self-esteem, leading to increased self-confidence.

Enhanced Ear Shape:

Otoplasty can reshape and refine ear contours, making them appear more natural and proportional to facial features.

Improved Ear Symmetry:

Otoplasty can correct asymmetrical or uneven ears, resulting in a more balanced and harmonious appearance.

Reduced Ear Prominence:

The procedure effectively reduces prominent or protruding ears, alleviating self-consciousness and the risk of teasing, especially in children.

Restored Earlobes:

Torn or stretched earlobes can be repaired due to heavy earrings or other factors, allowing for the re-piercing of earlobes.

The Ear Surgery ProcedureWhat To Expect

Otoplasty is typically administered under general anesthesia (for children) or local anesthesia (for most adults). The specific technique employed during the procedure depends on each patient's unique ear deformities and concerns. It may involve making incisions or could be amenable to "incision-less" techniques, depending on the shape of the ear. Various surgical techniques are utilized to correct ear irregularities. These concerns and the surgical plan will be discussed during your consultation with the surgeon. The duration of the surgery generally ranges from 1 to 2.5 hours and is typically performed on an outpatient basis, allowing you to return home the same day.

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Is Ear Surgery Right for Me?

Ear surgery is ideal for individuals bothered by prominent, misshapen, or asymmetrical ears, whether due to congenital factors or acquired concerns. Patients of this procedure often include children and adults who have experienced teasing or self-consciousness about their ear appearance. Kids as young as five can begin to feel uncomfortable about their ears, making children excellent candidates to discuss otoplasty with our team. If you've contemplated ear surgery for a long time and are ready to change your ear aesthetics, it's an excellent time to discuss your concerns with us and work on a personalized treatment plan. The best way to determine whether ear surgery fits your specific needs is to schedule a consultation with The Warner Institute.

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Ear Surgery Recovery

Following ear surgery, you can expect a relatively quick recovery, returning to school or work within a week after the procedure. You may resume physical activities and exercise in about three weeks. Most individuals require pain medication for 2 to 3 days after the surgery, although discomfort levels are typically mild to moderate. Any bruising or swelling you experience should subside to a “sociable” level within two weeks.

Bandages applied post-surgery are typically removed within a week, often replaced with more minor dressings or a headband to help protect the ears during the healing process. As swelling decreases, your final results will become visible 1 to 2 weeks after the procedure. It would be best if you planned to attend follow-up appointments as scheduled so we can monitor your progress and ensure you're healing as expected.

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Why Choose The Warner Institute?

The Warner Institute is dedicated to providing exceptional care and transformative results. With his extensive experience and expertise, Dr. Jeremy Warner leads a team that values your well-being and satisfaction above all else. We understand that ear concerns can profoundly impact self-esteem and quality of life. Our goal is to help you achieve the balanced, harmonious look you desire, and our compassionate team is here to guide you every step of the way. If you’re in the Chicago area, The Warner Institute in Northfield is ready to guide you on your otoplasty journey. If you're prepared to take the next step toward enhancing your ear aesthetics, we encourage you to schedule a consultation with us today.

Ear Surgery FAQ

What is “incisionless” otoplasty?

Will I be awake or asleep for surgery?

What are the limitations of ear reshaping surgery?

What is “incisionless” otoplasty?

Traditional methods of ear reshaping surgery involve the standard technique of making an incision on the back (and sometimes the front) of the ear to perform the necessary reshaping. Most ear reshaping surgery is performed using this method. However, certain patients may be candidates for “incisionless” surgery, where no incision is made on the back of the ear. When patients are selected appropriately, the results can be equal to results using the “open” technique where an incision is made. The underlying shape of the deformity is pivotal in determining whether or not you are a candidate for incisionless surgery. Feel free to ask us about incisionless techniques; we can tell you if you are an appropriate candidate.

Will I be awake or asleep for surgery?

Being awake or asleep during surgery depends on your preference and your surgeon’s preference. Some patients want to be under “twilight” because they feel it’s safer than general anesthesia, and other patients prefer general anesthesia because they “want to be out” and not know what’s going on. It is crucial to remember that general anesthesia is very safe for those patients who are generally healthy. Additionally, some surgeons have a firm preference and will only perform your ear reshaping surgery one way or the other. Regardless, both types of anesthesia are acceptable, and you must develop a plan with your surgeon before surgery.

What are the limitations of ear reshaping surgery?

There are certain limitations to these procedures. It is common for some degree of asymmetry between the two ears to exist, even after surgery, because ears are generally different to begin with. Additionally, the stiffness of your ear cartilage may impact your overall result. Stiff cartilage may hinder getting the amount of “ear setback” that you desire or may cause warping after surgery. The goal of ear reshaping surgery is to make the ears less noticeable. As long as you understand this goal, you are ready to proceed.

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