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• Ear surgery is recommended to patients who are distraught
psychologically, socially and professionally from big, protruding
or deformed ears.
• Adult candidate for otoplasty should understand that the
firmer cartilage of fully developed ears does not often provide
the same molding capacity as in children.
What is the procedure?
• Your ear surgery will begin with an incision behind the ear,
in the fold where the ear joins the head.
• The surgeon may remove skin and cartilage or trim and reshape
the cartilage.
• In addition to correcting protrusion, ears may also be reshaped,
reduced in size, or made more symmetrical.
• The cartilage is then secured in the new position with permanent
stitches which will anchor the ear while healing occurs.
Length of the operation ear surgery in Argentina
• Typically otoplasty surgery takes about two hours.
• The soft dressings over the ears will be used for a few weeks
as protection, and the patient usually experiences only mild discomfort.
• Headbands are sometimes recommended to hold the ears in place
for a month following surgery or may be prescribed for nighttime
wear only.
Results
• ear surgery permits to reshape the ears, permanently reduce
the size of larger ones and set prominent ears back closer to the
head. Nevertheless, you need to expect slight tenderness of the
ears for 2 to 3 months.
Post operation
• After discharge, you may resume most normal activities. You
may no do any heavy lifting (nothing over 25 lbs.) and you may not
do any vigorous exercises (jogging, tennis, aerobics).
• Do no bend. If you need to bend, bend at your knees.
• Do not shampoo your hair for one week after surgery. After
one week you may wash your hair being careful not to get any water
in your ear. To avoid water in the ear, work Vaseline into a piece
of cotton and put it in the ear, then put more Vaseline on top of
the cotton.
• If you have sutures behind the ear, be sure to keep the area
dry.
What does an otoplasty NOT do?
Even though it will make your face look more beautiful and harmonious,
and it will probably also improve your self-esteem, it will not
be enough to make you look perfect. We must be realistic and accept
that that kind of perfection does not exist.
Anesthesia
Local anesthesia and complementary sedation.
Length of surgery
Between 45 and 90 minutes.
Hospitalization
There is no need to be hospitalized, it is done on an outpatient
basis.
Results
The results are permanent. Those who used to feel insecure or embarrassed
because of their ears tend to feel very satisfied with the changes
obtained with this surgery.
Bandages
During the first three days, you will have to wear an elastic hair
band day and night; and then, for two more weeks, you will have
to wear it only during the night.
Amount of pain
Low. Your physician will advice you to take analgesics every 6 or
8 hours; this will bring great relief to you.
Removal of the stitches
7 days after the surgery.
Bruises and swelling
Almost none. In order to prevent their development, it is advisable
to sleep with the head elevated during the first days and to apply
cold compresses.
Scars
They remain concealed behind the ears. This area tends to heal slower
than others, so you should keep it clean and apply antiseptic products
to avoid infections.
Possible risks and complications
It is very unlikely for an otoplasty to present any complications
when performed by a qualified surgeon. However, every surgical procedure,
regardless of its triviality, has some risks and we should always
think of them as a possibility.
• Asymmetry. Even though the surgeon marks very carefully
the areas he is going to treat, there may be asymmetries.
• Infections, although they are very unusual if you take the
right antibiotics.
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