Otoplasty done at age 14 (7 years ago) by a very reputable San Diego surgeon. Left ear looked ok but was extremely painful for about a year, and remained mildly painful for the following 2 or 3 years. My right ear was never painful but there was a scab on the exterior of the ear with bumpy ridgey cartilage underneath. Currently, my left ear has slowly returned to nearly its original position and my right ear has many ridges and bumps in the cartilage.