Lone Tree Ear Surgery doctors

Andrew Winkler, MD Andrew Winkler, MD
Lone Tree Facial Plastic Surgeon
8080 Park Meadows Drive, Lone Tree
2 answers
Stephen Weber, MD Stephen Weber, MD
Lone Tree Facial Plastic Surgeon
9218 Kimmer Drive Suite 201, Lone Tree
1 answer
Mario J. Imola, MD, DDS Mario J. Imola, MD, DDS
Denver Facial Plastic Surgeon
3600 So. Logan St. Suite 100, Englewood
Nick Slenkovich, MD Nick Slenkovich, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
761 SouthPark Drive, Littleton
Tanya Aya Atagi, MD Tanya Aya Atagi, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon
10099 Ridgegate Pkwy Suite 430, Lone Tree

Recent Answers

What Techniques Are Available for Ear Reductions?

What cosmetic surgery technique for ear reduction would leave the least amount of visible or obvious scarring?

A: Ear Reduction leaves minimally visible scars

Different parts of the ear can be reduced in size or prominence and there are different methods for each.  The least noticeable scars are left behind when an Otoplasty is performed.  This is a procedure that is used to make the ears stick out less from the side of the head.  There are other maneuvers that can be done during Otoplasty as well to address different cosmetic concers with the various parts of the ear.

Earlobe reduction is a bit different.  Unfortunately, to adequately reduce the earlobe and produce a natural appearing result, incisions must be made on the face of the earlobe.  Fortunately, these scars heal remarkably well and there is often a crease/wrinkle that can be used in older individuals.  

Please check out my website for some before & after photos!

Andrew Winkler, MD
Lone Tree Facial Plastic Surgeon
Otoplasty - Dissolvable Vs Permanent Sutures

4 months ago I had a bilateral Otoplasty to correct my prominent ears. My surgeon used the Mustarde technique with dissolvable sutures. My ears initially healed well, but several months on, both ears relapsed to their pre-op state. My surgeon says that as the sutures dissolved, the ears have subsequently relapsed. He has suggested a revision using permanent sutures. There seems to be some debate over the use of permanent vs dissolvable sutures? What are the risks/benefits for each?...

A: Otoplasty Options

Otoplasty is a procedure to correct deformities of the ear.  Most of the time, otoplasty is done to make the ears less protruding.  The two most common maneuvers for this are Mustarde sutures and conchal setback, and there are several more as well.  The effect of Mustarde sutures are to recreate a fold in the ear that is normally there.  In performing this procedure 2 mistakes are commonly made:  

(1) Ear cartilage has memory--it wants to keep its shape.  In order to make a fold in the cartilage, the cartilage needs to be bent.  To allow the cartilage to bend, the cartilage is "scored," meaning it is weakened with a series of small scrapes.  This takes out some of the memory of the cartilage.  However, if the scoring is too aggressive, the cartilage becomes too weak and will buckle, making an unnatural appearing sharp fold.  For this reason, many surgeons are too conservative with scoring, and the cartilage will bounce back to its original shape with time.

(2) If placed correctly, permanent sutures are perfectly safe.  The typical suture used is a clear, fine, nonabsorbable suture (nylon).  Resorbable sutures are not necessary and do not prevent complications.  Rather, they provide an opportunity for the cartilage to bounce back once the suture has dissolved.

Andrew Winkler, MD
Lone Tree Facial Plastic Surgeon
How Noticeable Are the Scars After an Otoplasty?

I want a permanent fix for my "dumbo ears" (big and sticking out) because I'm sick of wearing hats to cover them up and it seems like otoplasty is my only option...but I am afraid I'll end up more self-conscious about my ears if there are scars there plus everyone will know I had ear surgery.
What I want to know is - Where do they cut into you during ear surgery and are the scars really noticeable?

A: Scar not typically an issue following otoplasty

Otoplasty scars are typically hidden on the backside of the ear. A bigger, more realistic, concern is asymmetry following otoplasty. Reducing your prominent ears is less of an issue than achieving symmetry between the two sides. This is challenging and takes significant experience.  

Stephen Weber, MD
Lone Tree Facial Plastic Surgeon
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