Will Ears Grow in Size After Otoplasty?

Otoplasty is a permanent procedure utilized to correct protruding ears in both children and adults.  Otoplasty (Ear Pinning) is designed to correct protruding or disfigured ears in children and adults. The shape, position or proportion of the ear may be corrected. The goal is creation of a natural shape and position, improving the balance and proportion between the ears and face.  Full development of the ear is complete after age four.  Therefore, otoplasty can safely be performed on children at anytime after this age.  The ear reaches full development by four years, and will not change significantly in size or shape after this age.  When performed by a skilled surgery, otoplasty will provide lasting results, not a transient "fix".  Good Luck.... Dr. Corrado

It’s important to understand that
ears change throughout a patient’s lifetime.  It’s also important to realize that changes associated with
setback otoplasty are designed to last an entire lifetime.  Although minor ear changes occur with
aging, these changes would have no impact on the results of your otoplasty.

It’s unfortunate that you’ve had a
bad experience with your plastic surgeon. 
Under these circumstances, it might be appropriate to seek a second
opinion from a plastic surgeon with better communication skills.

An otoplasty, if properly performed, should give you permanent results.  Your ears will not grow back.  There is a very small chance of recurrence (1-2%)

You will see the results very quickly once the obvious swelling goes down.  By about the second week after surgery, you will look fine.  You can even look good enough at one week to return to work or school.  There is not that much visible bruising with this procedure after the first week.

Please consult with a board certified plastic surgeon who can explain the procedure and the recovery in great detail to you.

Best wishes,

Dr. Bruno

Changes after an otoplasty should be permanent.  Key steps that make otoplasty more predictable and lasting in some surgeons than others:


Permanent sutures-  Permanent sutures are best used in otoplasty.  Absorbable sutures do not create lasting changes in the ears.

Structural changes to the ears-  Suture techniques alone do not create a lasting change to the ear.  In some cases, a fundamental change to the anatomic shape is necessary.

Postoperative care- Proper care can help protect ears immediately postoperative results.


Seek care from a surgeon whose practice focuses on face and with experience in ear reshaping.

In 35 years of doing otoplasties, I have never seen ears "grow".  I do children at 5-6 years of age and the ears do not grow. If the surgery is done properly the results last forever, not 6 months. Get another opinion from an experienced plastic surgeon.

I read your concern. It sounds like you may want to consider consulting several certified, reputable facial plastic surgeons to discuss your proposed Otoplasty Surgery. Just about everyone's ears relax slightly over the first year following your surgery. This is not typically a problem from an aesthetic standpoint after well-performed Otoplasty Surgery. Your results will be permanent.

You could have your surgery anytime from now till June. You should have the surgery at least 6 weeks before your big day to allow your post-surgical swelling to resolve.

All the best from NJ:

By age three, ears have obtained 85 percent of their adult growth. Other than that, otoplasty is a permanent procedure and there should be no disproportionate growth as you age.

It sounds like you didn't get good advice at your consultation.  I would suggest that you go onto the American Board of Plastic Surgery website and find an experienced surgeon who performs lots of otoplasty surgery and go see that surgeon.  I perform otoplasty on young children (as young as 6 years old) to adults with lasting results.  I have never heard of a surgeon telling a patient that the otoplasty results will only last 6 months.  Do some more research!  

A good otoplasty should give you permanent results. You have time to do it before your wedding. I think you need  a consult with another plastic surgeon  and take it fro there.

Your results should be fairly stable and permanent following your surgery. Certain aspects of your ears will grow over 40 years but your shape should be stable.