Lost after a bad otoplasty: my ears were very noticeably asymmetrical now.

Question

I recently got an otoplasty after years of saving up. It is something that has bothered me my whole life and after getting it done I thought it was all over, but after getting the bandages removed I noticed my ears were very noticeably asymmetrical now, one protruding a lot more than the other. The doctor told me to wait two months, and I did but nothing has changed. I tried contacting him back but he is actively ignoring me. I'm extremely lost and depressed, and have no idea where to go from here.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear Bandana141,I understand your concern. However, without a proper assessment it would be difficult to determine what is wrong. It is best that you visit your plastic surgeon for further assessment or ask for a second opinion. Only after thorough examination you can get proper recommendations and advice.Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

Surgeons all want the best outcome for their patients and if patients are not happy, most surgeons will bend over backwards to help their patients achieve their goals.  Posting your photos will help the gallery determine if your 'noticeably asymmetrical' is truly that or if you are being a perfectionist about your outcome and upset over mild asymmetry (which is totally normal).On the assumption that you are right, you can get a second opinion to confirm your thoughts and then write you surgeon a letter about your second opinion and that you still do want to pursue a revision under his/her policy that you can either hand deliver or send via mail with a return receipt to ensure they received it.  If still ignored, you can seek legal counsel if really a poor result, get it fixed with another surgeon at more costs, and use social media to vent your experience with this surgeon (no surgeon wants bad reviews but stick to the facts please).  Hopefully your surgeon will respond to your letter.

Tim Sayed, MD, MBA, FACS · Answer

It would be very helpful to the respondents here to provide photos (before and after). Asymmetry, when minor, is not uncommon after otoplasty and is usually well tolerated by patients. Significant asymmetry may mean that the repair pulled through on one side or that side was undercorrected. Recurrence of the prominent ear deformity is the most common "complication" of this surgery, but is usually amenable to revision, often under local anesthesia. If your surgeon is ignoring your concerns, you should seek a second opinion and consider transferring your care to another surgeon.

William Portuese, MD · Answer

A full set of facial and ear photographs are required in order to determine how to proceed. As long as you're happy with one ear, a  unilateral otoplasty on the more protruding side can be accomplished to pin that one back to match the opposite side. In our practice, an otoplasty is usually performed under local anesthesia as an outpatient procedure. For examples, please see the link below

Lost after a bad otoplasty: my ears were very noticeably asymmetrical now.

Answers (4)

Answer: revision otoplasty

Answer: revision otoplasty

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Everything you need to know about Ear Surgery

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Lost after a bad otoplasty: my ears were very noticeably asymmetrical now.

Answers (4)

Answer: revision otoplasty

Answer: revision otoplasty

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Everything you need to know about Ear Surgery

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.