Boston Otoplasty Specialist - Dr. Moss
Otoplasty is a surgical procedure designed to cosmetically enhance the appearance of one's ears, usually by pinning them closer to the head. Patients who are candidates for this surgery have one or both ears protruding. This surgery can greatly improve the overall facial appearance of patients.
Patients who have protruding ears are often embarrassed by them. Women may try their best to cover them with various hairstyles, however men have few options. In addition, some women find that being unable to wear their hair in certain styles can be bothersome. Some patients will even make efforts not to get their hair wet during swimming as it no longer hides their ears. For children who have protruding ears, the teasing and ridicule can be very painful. For this reason, it is very acceptable to perform this surgery on children as young as 5 years of age.
In adults, otoplasty is performed under local anesthesia (you're awake), but, at the patient's request, can be done under general anesthesia (you're asleep). In children this surgery is uniformly done under general anesthesia. In either case, the surgery is done in a hospital as an outpatient (you go home the same day). It usually takes about 2 hours; less if only one ear is operated on.
Post-operatively, there is relatively little pain, although the ear(s) look red and swollen the day after surgery. After surgery, a protective dressing remains in place until the patient is seen by Dr. Moss the next day. Dr. Moss will then put another dressing on for an additional 3 days. At that point, the patient will transition into a headband that will be worn continuously for 2 weeks. The patient will then wear the headband just while sleeping for an additional 2 weeks. The patient will be able to wash his/her hair when the 2nd dressing is removed (at post-operative day 4). At that point, the patient will be able to wash his/her hair on a regular basis. The headband can be removed for shampooing.
Depending on ones job, you can usually return to work/school in 7 to 10 days. Patients can start with light exercising at two weeks and can resume full exercise program by six weeks.
Ideally, otoplasty is performed just before kindergarten, but it can be done at any age after that. Otoplasty, when done for purely cosmetic reasons, is not covered by insurance. Dr. Moss's has found this surgery to have a very high level of patient satisfaction.
Otoplasty Photos
Click on the photos below to see larger photos for each patient.
 Otoplasty Patient 1 click to enlarge |
Return to main Procedures page or click on a link below to learn more about Facial plastic surgery procedures:
- Dr. Moss' Philosophy on Facial Cosmetic Surgery and Facial Rejuvenation Treatments
- Mini Face Lift
- Liposuction of the Face
- Rhinoplasty
- Eyelid Surgery
- Brow Lift
- Chin Implant
Call us at 508.747.1322 or 781.337.2421
