Otoplasty Success!

I wanted to provide this review as I know, for me, others' input, insight, advice, and stories were the reason I was able to move forward with confidence and I hope this review can help others too! After many years of consideration I finally decided to have my protruding ears pinned back at the age of 42. I searched for doctors in the South Jersey/Philadelphia region and was most drawn to Dr. V based on previous reviews and photos of his work on his website. I am about 3 weeks out from my procedure and so far so good! Prior to the surgery, we met twice in his office - once to discuss my goals and for me to hear his philosophy and plan should I choose to work with him. Then we met a second time after i got cold feet about the healing time and how restricted i might be after surgery. During both visits, Dr. V and his staff Megan and Beryl were kind and supportive. I can be a bit high strung and anxious, but they were all able to accept that and did not make me feel like I was being a pain at all. After the first two meetings, I set my surgery for two months later due to my work schedule.

The surgery was done in Dr. V's office under local anesthesia. Before we went in he explained what to expect and asked what I needed in order to feel comfortable ( silence, talking, etc...). Once in the surgery room, I would say the worst part was the needles to get numb - after that I really didn't feel a thing. The entire process took under 2 hours and we talked and listened to relaxing music the entire time. Both Dr. V and Megan kept checking in and reassuring me. So, each ear had cartilage removed and reshaped and then was stitched into place. Afterwards, I was cleaned, covered with gauze, and wrapped tight in a bandaged from head to chin. It felt weird and uncomfortable, but I was okay. I was to return in 3 days to remove the bandage. I was sent home with a script for Tylenol with codeine - thank God - because the pain did kick in about an hour or two after I was home. So, this was probably the worst part of the whole experience. Granted - I have a VERY LOW pain tolerance. But that first 24 hours was ROUGH! I was back to back pain meds and barely any sleep. Megan called each day to check on me - which was nice. Those 3 days in between surgery and the follow up visit were rough for me. The compression from the head bandage was nuts - like having my head in a clamp! But I was told it needed to be tight to secure the ears in place, so I endured. Sleep was tough because I am a side sleeper (which was a no-no) and there was pain in my ears and a clamp around my head. Eating was hard because my ears hurt every time I moved my jaw - so soft foods were key! Also during this time - I could not wash my hair, so feeling pretty gross.

When I returned and had the compression headband removed I was so nervous - but it went fine! Dr. V checked my ears and assured me that all looked good. My ears were visibly swollen, but looked good - no more sticking out!! Anyway, he said I could go home and wash my hair and sent me with a smaller, removable headband to hold the ears in place which he said I should keep on at all times (minus shower). I was given home care instructions and was to return 6 days later to have my stitches removed. Those days in between were okay. No more pain meds and I was sleeping better ( not great - but better!).Thanks to others - I found that an airplane pillow was best as I could lie on my side and rest my head on it without any pressure on my ear. The new headband was also tight and a bit painful (to me) - but Dr. V was clear that this was to hold the ears tight in place, so I reluctantly complied. During the next few days the office called to check in periodically. I returned in 6 days for stitch removal, but was still pretty swollen so Dr. V suggested waiting another few days to remove the stitches. Bummer, but he said I could stop wearing the headband so tight and switch to a regular yoga/workout headband. By the next day ( so 10 days after surgery) - I finally went out to lunch and socialized now that I wasn't attached to the medical headband. I wore a cute had band that held my ears back and hid the stitches (as I told no one I had this procedure). From that day on, I've resumed normal activity including walking on my treadmill. I returned to Dr. V in another 5 days for stitch removal ( so 2 weeks after surgery) and have been doing regular workouts and social activities since then. By the way- stitch removal was no big deal - I was nervous, but felt almost nothing,

So, as I said, I am little over 3 weeks out now and I return to Dr. V next week for basic follow up and scar care. At this point, my ears are still a little swollen, tender and painful to the touch. I wear a head band mostly when home and sleep with a head band always. Sleeping on my ears is still a bit uncomfortable. The top halves are still numb and I can feel the scars healing behind my ears. It's an odd feeling as I used to feel so much empty space between my ears and my head - and that space is now gone. All in all - I'm happy! I'm already pulling my hair back without feeling so self conscious. My ears aren't peeking through my hair like they used to. Time will tell the final result, and I still have to keep up with the headband, but glad I did it and glad I chose Dr. V. Thanks to to him, Beryl, and Megan for all the care and support. I would recommend them to anyone for this procedure!

(Sorry about not posting pics - as I know those are so helpful in this process, but I have kept this very private and wish to stay that way.)