Are my ears overcorrected?

Question

Hello. I wanted otoplasty done for a couple of years, and finaly last week I had surgery. It went ok, not much pain and it lasted about 75 min. Operation was done on March 19th. Yesterday, I went to change my bandage, and I had the chance to see my new ears. I know it is early but to me this looks way overcorrected. I cant even see the separation between ears and head. I dont know which method was used to perform the surgery. Today is my 8th day after surgery, and stiches will be removed in 12 days.

Jed H. Horowitz, MD, FACS · Answer

Otoplasty and position of earsThe biggest complaint is usually that the ears are still too far away from the head. Please allow time for this to heal and talk with your surgeon

Carlos Mata, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

Hello there Nikola,Thank you for your question.  At this time, it does look as though your ears were overcorrected.  There are specific degree measurements that surgeons need to abide in order to achieve a good outcome and the photos are demonstrating decreased angles.  Give it 3 months because some of the flattening could be due to compression and they may relax a bit but I would still discuss this with your surgeon and make a plan of how to revise if this is not the outcome you were seeking.  Hope this helps.All the best,Carlos Mata, MD, MBA, FACSBoard-Certified Plastic Surgeon

Jeremy S. Hurren, BSc, MBBS, FRCS (Plast) · Answer

Over or under correction depends on what you discussed with your surgeon before surgery. Often placing the ears in an average position is not far enough back for people who want to have their ears pinned back. Certainly many patients would be delighted with the result you have.
At this early stage it is too soon to be able to assess the end result for which you should wait at least 3 months and I would generally say 6 months.  Frequently ears tend to come out a little in the weeks after surgery.
The best person to discuss this with is your surgeon.
Best wishes

Waldemar Merck, MD · Answer

Nothing certain can be said yet about the final position just one week after an operation. However, should the ears remain like that, they would be over-corrected. Should you have been operated with the minimally invasive Merck stitch method, then stitches can be simply removed and replaced by new ones later, 3 months after the operation at the earliest. With the stitch method, a patient is allowed to check and co-determine the new position in a hand mirror, so that he only leaves the operating theatre when he can see the result that he would like to have. It appears to me that you were more likely to have been operated on with a traditional method because you were obviously not offered something of the kind.

George Commons, MD (retired) · Answer

Ears will likely come out with time.   Your appear a little far back at this time but this will be self correcting.   Quit worrying and see you doctor for an assessment.   My Best,  Dr Commons

Are my ears overcorrected?

Answers (5)