PLASTIC SURGERY: Otoplasty- Cosmetic Ear Reshaping/Pinning

[christopher16100]

Hi,i was wondering would there be any problems/risks in reducing the cup part of the ear.

My folds are fine its just the cup needs reducing, im abit concerned about future problems.

thanks

[samlammd]

@christopher16100 if done well, there are really minimal risks of cup ear correction.

[ecalb1]

Yeah that sounds right. So is that a mistake by the doctor where pulled the center too far but not the top. Or do you have to pay extra for that.

[samlammd]

@ecalb1 you have to speak with your surgeon about that.

[ecalb1]

@samlammd Ok, thank you very much for your help :).

[samlammd]

@ecalb1 my pleasure.

[ecalb1]

Hey doc. I've got a question. When you get the surgery done does the surgeon pin back the top part of the ear as well because otherwise the top part would look elf like and also stick out a bit too. If the surgeon pins back the ear but the top sticks out a bit does that that was a mistake made by the surgeon. What i mean by that is when the bottom part of the ear is pinned back the top part sticks out more. Hope you understand what i meant. Please answer as soon as you can. Thank you.

[samlammd]

@ecalb1 that is known as a telephone deformity in which the center is pulled too far in and the top is not pulled in enough. however, i don't know if that is the case but that is what you are describing.

[HitMeWithASpork]

One more question, doc. My ears are relativley big & the helix on the top part of both ears are not folded over like a "normal" ear, so it looks like elf ears. Can my ears be reshaped and pinned back? And is this under your *standard* otoplasty price or is reshaping them added to the cost. Thanks.

[samlammd]

@HitMeWithASpork i would have to see but most likely they should fit under standard otoplasty. i have done a lot of creative things with ears. i have to see yours to decide the best course of action.

[Sambucca]

@HitMeWithASpork

I have exactly the same problem. I get criticised for having 'elf' ears all the time. The tops do not curl down, particularly on the right ear, giving a pointy appearance. Please tell me what I can do.

[samlammd]

@Sambucca again, i would really have to see you.

[chocolatecandii]

How would u possibly fix it? Iv'e had the piinning back procedure 7 years ago but wasnt satisfied since my tips stick out like elf ears. I went to another surgeon a couple of years ago and he said there's nothing he can do about it.

[samlammd]

@chocolatecandii what do you mean by tips? top part of the ear or the bottom part? if you are talking about the top part being too pointy, one can do a helical advancement to round it but i would have to see your ears to determine the feasability of doing so.

[chocolatecandii]

Can ear surgery fix "elf ears"?

[samlammd]

@chocolatecandii possibly i would have to see the condition.

[samlammd]

no, the procedure is the same in terms of complexity and cost. look forward to take care of you when you are ready to proceed.

best,

sml

[Hoboscouts]

Hi, is it possible to pin the ears back just a little instead of going all the way to your head?

[samlammd]

yes and no. pinning ears back creates very nice results. the trick is not to pull them too far back otherwise they look unnatural. however, it is not so precise to say that you could pin the ears back exactly 2 mm, for example. the ears may relax a bit and making it that precise is near impossible.

[Impervious2Pain]

thank you very much good sir

[samlammd]

thank you!

[HamnSas101]

Hi Dr. Lam, I was wondering if its possible to attatch a the ear lobe (e.g. turn a free lobe into an attatched lobe), and if so, is it any harder to do that and pin the ears back in the same surgery, or would you have to do 2 different surgeries?

(Also if I got both done, would it cost much extra?), Thanks

[samlammd]

i can't say if that is particularly difficult to do. it would depend on your situation. sometimes, a wedge reduction (which i wrote about in my first book, Comprehensive Facial Rejuvenation and may be on Google books) is what I do to shrink the size of the lobe and thereby reduce the hang. hope that makes sense.

[samlammd]

sorry, for costs of the procedure, i have been asked not to publish prices anymore. just email info at lamfacialplastics [dot com] and ask for a standard otoplasty price. also ask for a ear lobe repair price for both sides. just ask for an "earlobe repair" not reduction since i would probably charge you the same price. let me see your case to decide what i would charge for a lobe reduction.

[liamwhite1995]

after 15 days of having it done could you reverse it ?

[samlammd]

you need skin grafts to replace the lost skin and if the doc took out cartilage, then it will be harder. ask your doc.

[thewisejanitor]

Good evening Dr. Lam, I have a question for you. When i was born my mom told me while she was giving birth to me, I was almost out and i got stuck. So the doctor used some kind of tong-like instruments and grabbed me from my ears and pulled me out. The effect of this has left me with noticabley pointed ears. Do you think my ear surgery would be covered under insurance?

[samlammd]

most likely not. you can ask your doctor about that. i don't take insurance.

[math80r]

Hi Dr. Lam, is it possible to make the beginning of the ears higher, in other words, to lift the ears without changing their shape?

[samlammd]

if you are talking about the bottom part of the ear, you can shorten the fleshy lobule. that is relatively straightforward to do and can be done for aging earlobes or ones that have been stretched out with aging. however, to raise the upper part of the ear is really not possible.

[math80r]

Thank you for answering my question!

But is it possible to raise the entire ear for about 5 to 10 mm?

I had two consultations with two different surgeons, a plastic surgeon and a oral and maxillofacial surgeon.

The plastic surgeon told me that there is no chance to do this, but the oral and maxillofacial surgeon said, that this woud be no problem and this kind of srurgery would be quite simple. What´s your opinion about this?

[samlammd]

i agree with your ps. impossible in my hands.

[larry69champ]

I'm going to get it later on this year. Honestly i'm not afraid of the procedure, or any pain associated with it. I'm more afraid of people seeing me with bandages and of people that i already know making a big deal out of it. If they notice a considerable difference. regardless.....i'm going 2 get the procedure. it's been on my mind for too many years.

[jisaid08]

Hello Dr. I have a serious question. Is it possible to shape my ears to a point like an elf or Spock? Thank you for your time.

[elias225]

thanks for explaining doctor -- im thinking of making it this year ummm im afraid a little... umm i wanted to ask u that, : is it hurt a lot after the surgery ?? and there is a way that it could be faild and the ear get back to the way it was ?? ,or there will be sings of red lines or red ear ? please repley for this quistions i really need that..thanks a lot

[MonsterFilmsinc]

Wow thanks I'm thinking of getting it done in the summer that way I dont have to worry about school. Is it worth it to get it done?

and I play basketball and we practice in the summer how will this surgery affect that?

[Antoniopetrou]

i had an ear surgery 4 months ago and trust me is sooo worth it i cant get enough every morning i wake up the first think i do is touch my ears and see if its still there lol xD thanx doctor for making my life easier and hapier :)

[merigirl2]

i want to get an otoplasty so badly.. thanks for explaining it to me

[dlll]

U explained it very well. Thanks for taking the time.