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How Long After Otoplasty Can Protruding Earlobes Be Fixed?

asked 2 years ago by rj_snk in Houston
Latest answer by Robert L. Kraft, MD
Question viewed 1,651 times
Tags: earlobe, ears, incision, keloid scar, revision, scar

I just had my otoplasty done, but the doctor did not adjust my earlobes. I had a revision bi-lateral otoplasty with scar revision done a couple of weeks ago. The doctor told me after the surgery that he did not adjust the earlobe which is protruding out because of the old scar (keloid) over there.

How long do I have to wait to get the protruding earlobes fixed and do I have to pay for it separately? Also, the top of my left ear is protruding out after the surgery. Can it be fixed with a simple incision or do I need to go for another complete revision? Thanks for your response.

17 answers to How Long After Otoplasty Can Protruding Earlobes Be Fixed?

Ear Lobe Reduction and surgery for prominent ears

Hi Rj_sink Ear Lobes are often repaired or reduced in size after Facelift surgery and sometimes after Otoplasty Ear lobes can be reduced or adjusted as soon as all of the swelling has resolved from the Otoplasty. This operation sometimes needs adjustments and revisions as you are experiencing. Ultimately, I find most patients are ultimately happy but it does sometimes require some patience (excuse the pun) on their part. As far as cost the adjustment of top of the left ear would... more

David L. Mobley, MD
Sarasota Plastic Surgeon

Earlobe repair after otoplasty

Typically, I advise patients to wait about six weeks after otoplasty before undergoing earlobe repair. In your case, there should have been discussion preoperatively about whether to repair the shape of the earlobes at the time of the otoplasty as I typically perform this as a comprehensive procedure. If the top of one ear is protruding out, you probably need a revision but it would be impossible to tell you how much surgery would be required in the absence of photographs. ... more

Robert L. Kraft, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.foresthillsplasticsurgery.com

Be careful

now if you are a keloid former you have to be careful from doing more surgery becouse keloids in the ears are one of the worst to be treated at this stage i think better you manage the keloid and you have to know further surgery might carry more risk of scarring unless its followed by radiotherapy to the area which has its possible risks too

Nawarah Alarfaj, MD
Saudi Arabia Plastic Surgeon

Otoplasty ear surgery for protruding ear, ear lobes to repair, shape or reshape

Otoplasty is performed to reduce protruding ears and put them closer to your head. The ear lobes may also be protruding even after Otoplasty surgery for protruding ears. Otoplasty ear surgery is also performed to reduce the size of the ear or change the shape of the ear. Here too, the ear lobe or earlobes may be reshaped or repaired.

Fredrick A. Valauri, MD
New York Plastic Surgeon

www.drvalauri.com

Ear lobe revision and keloid formation

IF you are prone to keloids, there certainly is a risk of triggering this response and you must be willing to accept this risk. The surgery can be done at any time but traditionally most surgeons would wait a minimum of 4 monts.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Earlobe Repair after Otoplasty

Since repair of earlobe problems requires frequent manipulation of the ears during the procedure, it may be beneficial to wait 2-3 months after an Otoplasty so the chance of Otoplasty suture breakdown can be minimized.

Ivan Thomas, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Correction of earlobe protrusion after otoplasty

The earlobes are really an independent part of the ear, and protrusion of the earlobes can be repaired at any time after the initial surgery is healed.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD
Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Fixing earlobes after otoplasty

During an otoplasty surgery, the plastic surgeon will address the prominent rim, the shape of the ear and the position of the earlobes. If you're earlobes are still prominent they may be easily fixed with a simple procedure under local anesthesia. This may be performed as an outpatient surgery or even as a small office procedure.

B. Pat Pazmino, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Repair after otoplasty

If your surgeon did not fix your earlobes at the same time he probably had a good reason. Maybe the scar tissue or the Keloid prevented him from doing it. I think 4 to 6 weeks is a reasonable time to wait for a revision. The top of the ear may be fixed with a simple revision depending on the cause of the defect. I would discuss this with your physician and if you do not get a satisfactory answer seek a second opinion. Good Luck

Carlos Wolf, MD
Miami Facial Plastic Surgeon

Otoplasty Revision

Correction of the earlobes is an often overlooked part of ear correction surgery. But in your surgeons defense he may want to wait to do the earlobes at a different setting. Often when a keloid is removed a small amount of steroid is injected into the wound before closure to help prevent another keloid formation. Steroids jeopardize wound healing. Perhaps your surgeon wanted to get the rest of the ears healed first. You should always have a complete understanding of what the surgeon is... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

Ear surgery

Otoplasty comes in different combination of problems. In some the prominent ear include forward protrusion of the ear lobe and that is corrected at the time of the Otoplasty. You had a keloid from the first Otoplasty, now to do the revision on the ear lobe need to be dine soon before keloid is formed again.

Samir Shureih, MD
Baltimore Plastic Surgeon

Earlobe repair

I would have you wait 6-12 weeks before treating the other region of the ear to allow for the tissues to soften up in the area after your previous procedure.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Fix protruding earlobes 6 to 8 weeks after otoplasty

I would wait 6 to 8 weeks to repair the ear lobes, this allows basic healing and maybe the ear lobes will start to settle. Be careful doing this too early. Regards.

Darryl J. Blinski, MD
Miami Plastic Surgeon

Earlobe repair can be done at the same time as otoplasty.

I can see no reason why and earlobe repair cannot be done at the same time as an otoplasty. These are simple operations. Revisions are occasionally indicated after any operation. If you need a revision of the otoplasty, I would deal with the earlobe at the same time. In my practice, patients are not charged an additional professional fee for revisions.

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Earlobe repair in the setting of a keloid may take more than one revision

Setting back the earlobe is not a difficult thing to do. You can cut the cartilage that holds the earlobe out (called cauda helicis). You can also adjust the skin to pull back the earlobes the right amount. This can be done really anytime unless there are some things that were done near the area that might require healing before the earlobe revision. The length of time to wait can be from 3 months more or less. The biggest confounding issue is the Keloid. The keloids can come back over and... more

Philip Young, MD
Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon

Protruding earlobes

Since you just had the surgery a few weeks ago I would at least wait until adequate healing has occurred. This may take 8 weeks. At that time a minor revision can be performed to correct the problem under local anesthesia. Good Luck

Steven Schuster, MD
Boca Raton Plastic Surgeon

Otoplasty usually does not include earlobes

Hello, Earlobe surgery is not routinely part of an otoplasty. Fortunately, earlobes can usually be fixed under local so a trip back to the operating room is probably not needed.

John P. Di Saia, MD
Orange Plastic Surgeon

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