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Uneven Ears After Otoplasty?

I had a Bilateral Otoplasty done 3 months ago and my one ear hurts more than the other and they are still a little numb/tingly when I run my finger down the back of them.

The one sore ear has a more pinned-to-the-head look than the other and I was wondering how long it took for the ears to be 100% healed from this procedure and how long it takes for them to be the shape they will be for the rest of my life.

Asked 33 months ago by Kerri0824 in New York

Read my review "Bilateral Otoplasty"

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earlobe ears

Otoplasty healing

Aching and tingling may linger for months after otoplasty but should resolve. The ears are rarely precisely the same size or exactly the same shape just as most facial features demonstrate some asymmetry. I always measure ear heights and projection and bring this to the attention of patients preoperatively. It can take up to a year to reach th final result.

Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Asymmetry after otoplasty

Usually 3 months after an otoplasty, your results will likely be long-lived. If you have marked asymmetry, then perhaps a revision is in order. Slight asymmetries meanwhile are not something that most, if not all, people would notice. The numbness after otoplasty is usually self-limited and gets better with time. Chronic pain after otoplasty can be a function of the type of otoplasty you had done and the extent of the projection correction (cartilage excision)... more

Doctor's Website

Thomas T. Le, MD

Baltimore Facial Plastic Surgeon

Uneven ears after otoplasty.

Don't worry too much if your ears aren't perfectly symmetrical - nobody's are. It is natural to sit in front of the mirror and analyse your ears after surgery, but in life, we rarely see people square on. The ears are very forgiving and you can often have asymmetrical ears, which no one will ever notice. Obvious if the asymmetry is significant, or if it is really bothering you, you can have a revision, but I would live with them for a while and see how you... more

Jonathan J Staiano, MBBS

Birmingham Plastic Surgeon

Three months after otoplasty

At 3 months, you have likely achieved nearly 90% of your final results. Some generalized laxity and scar maturation may produce softening of the scars with less tenderness and may take up to 2 years.

Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Otoplasty and healing

In general the healing process for almost any surgery can take up to a year and sometimes longer. Granted, the majority of healing and swelling dissipates within a few weeks, but it can last for months. The numbness usually improves over time.

Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Otoplasty and the healing process

It can take up to one year for the final appearance of the ears to be the same and for all of the swelling and the discomfort to resolve from the surgery. That being said if one is overly pinned than the other, this may have to be corrected if it does not spring out over the next three months or so.

Scott Trimas, MD

Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

Asymmetry Following Otoplasty

The asymmetric pain and tingling sensations that you note are not that unusual for 3 months out from otoplasty. These symptoms should resolve on their own over the next few months. With regard to asymmetric appearance of the ears at 3 months, it is likely what you see is sort of what you get at this point. It is not uncommon for the ears to look slightly different following otoplasty as long as the difference is not too obvious. If so, sometimes a quick office-based revision will be all... more

John M. Hilinski, MD

San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon

Otoplasty and Asymmetry

One of the biggest challenges of otoplasty is creating symmetry post procedure. Generally speaking, caliper measurements of the superior, middle, and inferior portion of the ear both pre procedure and post procedure allow the surgeon an objective means of adjusting the degree of "pinning" the ears back. At the end of three months, any asymmetry seen is likely to persist. Improvement in asymmetry may range from a simple office procedure to a a complete revision... more

Anil R. Shah, MD

Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon

Otoplasty Healing

Patients who have an Otoplasty should allow at least 2 months for healing time. After 2 months, the patient may discover a small amount, about 2 to 3 millimeters of asymmetry. This asymmetry appears even on those who have not had an Otoplasty. Feel free to click on the link below to review before and after photos of my patients who've had this surgery.

Doctor's Website

David Mabrie, MD

Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

Uneven ears after otoplasty

One of the risks for an otoplasty is asymmetry. This may present as uneven position or shape of the ears after surgery. Your final result after an otoplasty will depend on exactly which tissues were modified during the surgery. If it was only a reposition of the ears with no cartilage work, you can expect to see an immediate result after surgery. However, if a significant amount of cartilage work was performed, it may take several more months for you to see your final result. During your... more

B. Pat Pazmino, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Healing after otoplasty

The final result of otoplasty is typically seen within 3 months although numbness and discomfort may occasionally take longer. Revision surgery is an option to make ears more symmetric.

Sam Naficy, MD

Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

Otoplasty is an excellent procedure to improve the shape of the ears

Otoplasty refers to any procedure to reshape the ears. There are various techniques used to achieve this goal. An incision can be made behind the ear and sutures placed in the cartilage to reshape the ear. The cartilage can be incised or abraded to change the shape of the ear. After surgery post op pain is usually mild, but not uncommon. Pain after 3 months is unusual. Pain after otoplasty can be related to the skin, underlying soft tissue or the nerve endings. To precisely define the... more

Robert Mounsey, MD

Toronto Facial Plastic Surgeon

Uneven ears are fairly easy to correct if needed

The side of the ear with a more pinned down appearance can be treated if needed. One thing to realize is that the top of your ear is likely to lateralize or shift away from your head with time. But having symmetric ears to begin with after your procedure is an important first step. You may want to ask your surgeon if you haven't already about his plan to help you through this asymmetry. Sometimes, it can be due to how you sleep and temporary curling of your ear cartilage right after your... more

Philip Young, MD

Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon

Otoplasty and Prominent Ear Repair

Swelling and bruising after otoplasty are common. Meticulous technique and measurements are critical to acheive ear symmetry. Swelling may persist for 6 months, depending on the type of surgery and whether patients selectively sleep on one side. Discuss the difference in ear position with your surgeon and obtain postoperative photographs to compare the positions objectively.