Bad Otoplasty? Opinions Please!

The answer to your question depends on your surgeon's technique - did he or she use dissolvable or permanent sutures; were they sutured from periosteum to perichondrium or just from soft tissue to soft tissue; was conchal cartilage removed or just repositioned.  The only one who can answer all these questions and more is your plastic surgeon.  You trusted him or her with your looks and your life.  I think it might be a good idea to trust him or her with your recovery.  

People who hate their ears sticking out and who have surgery are always so afraid the surgery won't work.  It's much too early to make any determinations.  Give time, time.

Unfortunately, it is unlikely that your result will get any better.  For now, what's done is done, so wait for the swelling to go down and then plan a revision 3-6 months after your surgery.  The problem likely was that the top part of your ear did not have enough correction....the sutures need to be specifically placed in strategically prepared areas of your ear in order to custom contour your ear.   Meanwhile, the bottom parts of your ear can be adjusted as well with a minor setback of the lobule.  Otoplasty and revision otoplasty are a tremendous passions of mine.  I would be happy to provide you a comprehensive evaluation!

Hi SLC,

Many patients have feelings of disappointment, regret, or remorse after having undergone cosmetic surgery and three days is way too short of a time to know your final results.  Things WILL change!  There is no question about that.  I recommend that you express your concerns to your surgeon and, this is the hard part, wait for at least 3 months before you make any final judgements about your happiness with the procedure.  If you are still unhappy with the results at that point, revision surgery can be considered.  You should stay in close contact with your surgeon and trust that he or she wants great results (and for you to be happy with the results) just as you do.

Good luck!