Otoplasty (Ear Surgery) in Newport Beach, Orange County CA

How can I prepare for Otoplasty surgery?

As for any surgery, a patients’ health and well-being is our main priority. We require that patients who are undergoing surgery be healthy with normal lab work (your labs will be performed within 2 weeks of surgery). Furthermore, Dr. Bandy provides patients with a vitamin protocol to being before surgery to aid in the recovery and healing process. During your consultation 2 weeks before surgery, our staff will thoroughly review with you all important information that needs to be completed prior to surgery in order to ensure the best outcome and easiest recovery possible.

Will anesthesia be administered for Otoplasty surgery?

The operation is done under either local anesthetic (you are awake) or general anesthetic (you are asleep). You can choose. Most of the time this operation is done under local anesthesia.

Is Otoplasty surgery painful?

Patient’s undergoing to procedure under local anesthesia experience minimal pain during the procedure. Patients are prescribed topical numbing cream to apply about an hour before the procedure to decrease the pain associated with local anesthetic injections. After the ears are numbed, there is no pain associated with the procedure. Following the procedure there is some pain once the local anesthesia wears off. For this reason patients are prescribed pain medications.

What if I am sick before my Otoplasty procedure?

If a patient is noted to be sick prior to a procedure, it is advised to contact Dr. Bandy’s office immediately to discuss the best way to move forward.

How long before I see results of Otoplasty?

The procedure takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.

Is scarring expected after Otoplasty surgery?

As with any surgery and subsequent incision, scarring will occur. The degree and visibility of scarring varies by patient. For otoplasty, the incision is at the posterior crease of the ear and is not usually visible.

Can I drive home after my Otoplasty surgery?

If the labiaplasty is performed under a local anesthetic and no medication to aid in relaxation is provided (such as valium), a patient may drive home following the surgery.

Should I try avoiding touching the area after Otoplasty surgery?

Yes, you should refrain from touching the incision until it is fully healed.

What activity should I refrain from after Otoplasty Surgery?

Contact sports should not resumed until at least 6 weeks following surgery.

Do I need to take any medication after Otoplasty Surgery?

A patient is usually prescribed an antibiotic and a pain medication.

What is the average cost for Otoplasty?

The cost for Otoplasty is dependent upon the complexity of the case. During consultation Dr. Bandy will review the cost in detail after patient examination.

Are there financing options for Otoplasty?

The patient has multiple financing options. For example, the patient can pay for the surgery on credit card, and make monthly payments back to their credit card. Additionally, CareCredit is a financing company specific for cosmetic surgery; patients can apply for CareCredit, and there are multiple options for CareCredit. Sometimes, patients opt to make payments directly to the office. This is a prepayment plan where a patient would pay until he or she pays the entire balance for the surgery; then, they would have their surgery.

What is the recovery time and the healing process?

Immediately after the surgery, a dressing will be applied to both ears. Once the dressing is removed the next day, patients are required to wear a headband over the ears 24/7 for one week to aid in the healing and decrease the tension on the sutures. After one week, patients usually are required to wear the headband overnight.

Is there a post-operative recovery facility that you recommend?

We do have a post operative recovery facility that we refer our patients to in Orange County, CA and Los Angeles, CA. In these situations, they will be picked up by the post operative care facility from our recovery room and brought to the recovery center where they are recovered overnight, and then brought back the next day for their follow up appointment.

Q: What is Otoplasty?

A: Otoplasty is an operation done to correct protruding ears. It is one of the few cosmetic operations performed on children. Although the operation is done on both men and women, it has great appeal for men, because many of them wear their hair short and cannot conceal the ear deformity. Dr. Bandy is an expert at creating a beautiful results following an otoplasty, and specializes in performing the operation on children.

Q: How is an Otoplasty performed?

A: The method of surgery is to weaken the cartilage of the ear so that it bends into its new shape. At the same time stitches are placed in the cartilage to hold the ear in position until the new shape has formed. The incision is placed in the natural creases behind the ear.

Q: What is the ideal result, and how long before I see results of Otoplasty?

A: Results can be seen immediately, although there will be significant swelling of the ears. Full results can typically be seen about 6 weeks following the surgery.

Q: What type of incision approaches are there for Otoplasty?

A: The incision for an otoplasty is behind the ears along the crease, which is typically not visible.

Q: What if I experience any complications?

A: Although rare, any and all complications should be reported immediately to the office.

Q: Final thoughts on Otoplasty?

A: An otoplasty is a well-tolerated procedure with high rates of patient satisfaction.