Is an Otoplasty Painful?

Otoplasty surgery is typically very comfortable. Post-surgery, patients can expect minor swelling, bruising, and minimal discomfort. Dr. Rabach will prescribe medications to ensure comfort as needed.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Dr. Rabach will require you to return to the practice a week after surgery to remove any sutures and monitor recovery. She will also always inform you when you need to return for a follow-up appointment.

How Long Until I See Results?

Patients will see the impact of the surgery immediately. The initial results will continue to improve over the next 4-6 weeks as any residual swelling subsides. Final results and settling in of the ears usually happen at the three-month mark.

Can I Combine an Otoplasty With Other Procedures?

Absolutely! Our patients who received an otoplasty in New York City also considered other surgeries, such as a rhinoplasty, to be performed simultaneously. Patients are encouraged to share these ideas of combined procedures with Dr. Rabach so that she can advise and include them as she drafts the surgical plan.

What Are the Risks Associated With an Otoplasty?

An otoplasty in New York City has some risks associated with it. Patients are advised to learn about them before planning the procedure. Some of them include: Allergies to surgical accessories Anesthesia risks Asymmetry Blood clots Change in skin sensation Hematoma Infection Pain, which may persist Poor wound healing Possibility of revisional surgery Skin contour irregularities Skin discoloration/swelling Tear in the ear lobe Unfavorable scarring If you experience any long-lasting or concerning reactions during your recovery, please do not hesitate to contact us at LM Medical NYC.

New York, NY

Otoplasty (Ear Pinning)

Introduction

Introduction to Otoplasty (Ear Pinning)

Protruding ears are a common trait and are usually genetic, but can also be due to trauma or surgery. In most cases, prominent ears that stick out are an aesthetic issue that can impact your self-confidence or be a source of embarrassment, limiting the kinds of hairstyles you feel you can wear. At LM Medical NYC, we offer ear pinning surgery, or otoplasty, to alter the position of the ear so that it is in harmony with the rest of the face. If you are interested in otoplasty in New York City, please schedule a consultation with double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lesley Rabach.

What is an Otoplasty?

Anyone who grew up with protruding ears has most likely experienced teasing or unkind comments from others about their ears. Even as an adult, those with prominent ears may feel self-conscious, trying to hide their ears beneath hats, scarves, or hair. Otoplasty, or ear pinning, is a plastic surgery procedure that can reshape and restructure the ear so that it is positioned closer to the side of the head.

Otoplasty can be performed in various ways to correct protruding ears. The type of surgical alteration depends on the extent of the protrusion, the size of the ear, and other factors. Ears that turn out can be “pinned” closer to the head with simple surgery to reduce their prominence, while other ears may require tissue and cartilage removal or ear reshaping to improve overall ear aesthetics.

A Close up shot of a young man with light brown hair and a well-groomed beard gazes thoughtfully, softly smiling near a window. - Otoplasty in New York, NY

What Are the Benefits of an Otoplasty?

For our patients who receive otoplasty in New York City, a boost in self-confidence is just one of the many benefits they enjoy. Other benefits include:

Reduced protrusion of ears
Increased facial balance
Long-lasting results
Repaired malformation of ear cartilage
Improved aesthetics of the ear

Who Are the Best Candidates For an Otoplasty?

The best candidates for an otoplasty in New York City will have some of the following characteristics:

Have deformities or misshapen ears
Have fully formed ears (Age 6+)
Have protruding ears
Can maintain realistic expectations
Are in overall good health
Are non-smoking

What’s the first step?

The first step in getting an otoplasty in New York City is to schedule a consultation with double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Lesley Rabach. During your appointment, Dr. Rabach will discuss your medical history, your aesthetic goals with ear surgery, and any expectations or concerns you might have. She will then examine your ears and facial anatomy to determine incision placements as she outlines the procedure, its risks, benefits, and associated recovery expectations.

If you both decide to proceed with the procedure after the exam, she will draft a customized surgical plan. Our patient coordinator will then help schedule your surgical date, discuss pricing options, and share additional pre-operative instructions. At LM Medical, we will be here to answer any of your questions and provide support throughout your entire surgical journey.

What to Expect on the Day of Otoplasty Surgery

On the day of your otoplasty in New York City, Dr. Raback and her surgical team will welcome you, review your surgical plan again in case of any last-minute questions and/or concerns and depending on what was discussed in the consultation, the board-certified anesthetist will administer general anesthesia, IV sedation or a local anesthetic.

Once you are numb, Dr. Rabach will expertly place an incision behind the ears, manipulating the cartilage and skin to restructure the fold. She will also extract any of the extra ear elements. If needed, additional sutures on the back of the cartilage can be placed to “pin” the entire ear closer to the side of the head. Dr. Rabach will ensure that the pinning back looks natural and fits the overall facial anatomy and aesthetic goals.

Without complications, and on average, an otoplasty can take anywhere between one to two hours to complete.

Otoplasty Recovery

After the procedure, you will be monitored in the recovery room until sedation wears off. We recommend you bring a family or friend to drive you home for full safety.

Patients are recommended to take a few weeks of reduced strenuous physical activity but can return to work the day after the procedure.

You will be given pain medication to manage any discomfort and antibiotics to prevent infection. Children may need to be monitored during the first 24-36 hours after surgery to ensure the initial surgical dressing remains dry and in place.

How Much Does an Otoplasty Cost in New York City, NY?

The Cost of an Otoplasty in New York City will depend on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, the complexity of the case, Dr. Rabach’s fees, and the type of anesthesia used. Patients are recommended to schedule a consultation so that a surgical plan can be drafted and the price of the procedure estimated.

The LM MEDICAL NYC Difference

Dr. Lesley Rabach is an expert facial plastic and reconstructive surgeon, board-certified in both Facial Plastic Surgery and Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery. Her surgical training included a fellowship sponsored by the American Academy of Facial Plastic Surgery and a residency and internship in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at Yale New Haven Hospital. She received her Medical Degree from Drexel University College of Medicine and her undergraduate degree from Brown University.

Dr. Rabach is internationally recognized for her natural but lasting results with minimal downtime. Her meticulous approach to every surgery she performs makes her an excellent and trustworthy choice for your otoplasty in New York City procedure. Her signature procedures are the highly technical and advanced deep plane face and neck lifts, lip lifts, and eyelid surgery. Dr. Rabach is a Clinical Assistant Professor at NYU/Bellevue, where she teaches the NYU facial plastics fellow and NYU Otolaryngology residents. Dr. Lesley Rabach has been ranked “#1 female plastic surgeon” in NYC by RateMDs, featured as a “Superdoctors Rising Star” plastic surgeon in New York Times Magazine, awarded “10 Best Plastic Surgeons” by the American Institute of Plastic Surgeons, and granted “Top Doctor” designation by RealSelf.

Otoplasty (Ear Pinning) FAQ’S

An otoplasty in New York City has some risks associated with it. Patients are advised to learn about them before planning the procedure. Some of them include:
- Allergies to surgical accessories
- Anesthesia risks
- Asymmetry
- Blood clots
- Change in skin sensation
- Hematoma
- Infection
- Pain, which may persist
- Poor wound healing
- Possibility of revisional surgery
- Skin contour irregularities
- Skin discoloration/swelling
- Tear in the ear lobe
- Unfavorable scarring
If you experience any long-lasting or concerning reactions during your recovery, please do not hesitate to contact us at LM Medical NYC.

LM Medical NYC

Schedule a Consultation

Dr. Lesley Rabach is a talented, double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon who can perform various types of otoplasty or ear pinning surgery. If you have protruding or prominent ears and want to explore surgical options to change their appearance, contact us at LM Medical NYC. We have state-of-the-art medical facilities located in Greenwich Village and the Upper East Side. Call today to schedule your ear-pinning surgery consultation.

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