POSTED UNDER Ear Surgery REVIEWS
20 Years Old, Much Needed Otoplasty, Timisoara (Romania)
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My life as a real life Dumbo has ended! After many...
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My life as a real life Dumbo has ended! After many years thinking about having an otoplasty I finally decided and went for it. I recently moved to Timisoara (I used to live in Italy) and after a short research online I found out about Dr. Tiberiu Bratu and his "Brol Medical Center". Dr. Bratu is an extremely respected plastic surgeon in Romania and his clinic is outstanding compared to other romanian health care facilities. After a 5 minute consultation they booked my surgery and after a month or so it happened! They used both local and general anesthesia, no idea which of the many techniques. After a night in they sent me home and called me back for weekly updates (and bandage changes). The Doctor used dissolvable sutures that my ear spit out in less than 2 weeks. After 15 days they removed my bandages and told me to wear an elastic band for the next 2 months. The pain wasn't extreme, bareable even without pain killers. The worst part for me was and still is sleeping, I've never been this tired in my life. I am not 100% happy about the results yet but I know my body still has a lot of healing to do. After 3 weeks post-op I feel like my ears are too close to my head which makes them look quite unnatural and slighlty "telephoned". I'm also having a hard time dealing with the change even though I was more than ready for it. Did this happen to anyone else? Is the "telephone" shape noticeable?
Silvia.'s provider
Replies (27)
April 19, 2015
You look great now. Nobody was paying attention to your ears before though, how could they with those perfect beautiful eyes??
April 22, 2015
I just got mine done as well actually for the second time. The first time my ears rebounded back to close to their original position. This second time my ears seem to be more secure to the head. I honestly think yours will come back out quite a bit more. You just have to be patient. You will get more and more used to them and soon enough and probably hope they won't come back out anymore. Mine continued to come back out even a year after the first surgery. I'm wandering why you are having trouble sleeping. I only had that for a few a week or so. The first few nights were terrible. Did your doctor use permanant non absorbable stitches under the skin? I still wear my headband at night in fear my ears will come start to come back out again
April 22, 2015
Quick update: I can sleep on both sides! FINALLY! The first 5 days or so I could't sleep because of the pain. After a week the pain became manageable but I still couldn't sleep because my ears felt like two rocks attached to my head, extremely uncomfortable. I have to wear a headband 24/7 until the end of may, we'll see if it actually helps or not. There were a few "flying" stitches that my ears were spitting out but the doctor simply cut the ends off telling me those are the dissolvable kind.
April 23, 2015
I wouldn't be able to sleep if I didn't take the pain pills that my doctor prescribed. they helped and I actually took one extra the first night or two it was so painful. those really helped me get by. Also he probably used permanent sutures underneath the skin and your ears will come out a little bit more. Since you've been wearing your headband 24/7, this will really push the ears close to the head. don't worry they will eventually come out some I promise. Later down the road you'll probably wish they would've stayed closer to your head so just be patient
April 23, 2015
Oh also I think a lot of the pain comes from a tight headband. That in combination with your surgically repaired ears causes much pain. I bought a really light gauze from drug store and put it around my head so it was snug but not overly tight. that made things much more comfortable. try that. It helped me tremendously.
Replies (3)
July 30, 2015
UPDATED FROM Silvia.
27 days post
Sensitivity loss (1 month post-op)
I forgot to mention that I suffered a loss of sensitivity in the upper part of my left ear and I'm pretty scared. I can't feel anything at all since the operation! Is this normal? Did it happen to anyone? My doctor says that it's caused by the local anesthetic. Is it possible? It's the most annoying sensatiom ever! What should I do?
Replies (4)
April 23, 2015
Yes my ears were numb too at the top. Couldn't feel much. It goes away.
May 27, 2018
Nelson and Marie, did the surgeon remove a piece of concha bowl cartilage? I am also planning an otoplasty, and feel little bit fear and hesitation :-|
July 29, 2018
Hi there, I'm having otoplasty in the next fortnight and I'm literally so scared! How is your surgeon performing it? Mine will do mustarde with permanent sutures, I'm not sure if the bowl will be cut yet, but it will be determined on the day of surgery. I wish you all the best!
April 23, 2015
Wow that is interesting! Same thing happened to me! I believe it is normal. **Read my other comment about 2 surgeries** Anyways the ear with one surgery I feel as if everything was back to normal quicker. Although I still feel weird when I touch them. This is after more than a year though. Post surgery I barely even touched them except to clean them etc. The ear with two surgeries still feels pretty numb and I think it's pretty normal. I had local anesthesia as well. I don't think there is much to do about it but get used to it. Eventually you won't even think about it.
Welcome to the community! :) you are adorable and I think your results look great. Keep in mind that it does take up to 3 months for swelling to fully subside, and that you have to allow time for the ears to relax. Here are some FAQ's that speak to this:
Otoplasty Recovery Time
'Telephone Effect' After Otoplasty, Will It Resolve Itself? (photo)
Take care, and keep us posted on your progress.
Patience and positive thinking is key Silvia. I am no stranger to anxiety, and I have had my moments where my self-confidence was in the tank. I don't think we are human if we don't have our struggles in life. Remember to be gentle towards yourself, practice self-compassion. I learned through my struggles that when I felt anxious or negative, that I had to get out of the way...basically leave yourself alone. In general, I think that people tend to put way too much pressure on themselves, and it leads to false insecurities and a negative cycle of thinking. The one sure way to break that viscous cycle is to stop, and change your perception, take a step back, and be a friend to yourself...treat yourself with respect and kindness and then watch how your reality changes. Chin up my dear, you are beautiful.