Your Complete Guide to Ear Pinning Surgery

According to the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, 6-45% of children are born with some sort of congenital ear deformity. For some kids, the deformity is only temporary, and they’ll grow out of it. But for others, it can grow to be something they’re insecure about.

For example, a few adults may have protruding ears, and they may try to hide them by any means possible. But you deserve to feel fully confident in yourself, so that you can really shine as a person.

Those who want to fix ear imperfections should therefore consider ear pinning surgery. If you’re interested, then read on to get the ultimate guide on this procedure.

What Is Ear Pinning Surgery?

Ear pinning surgery is also known as otoplasty or pinnaplasty. This surgery focuses on fixing three main things for the ear:

1. Shape
2. Position
3. Proportion

As a result, those who go through ear pinning surgery will have a more natural ear position, and they’ll also improve their overall facial balance. This makes it great for people who have ears that are too far from the head or have an irregular shape. 

Ear pinning surgery is a purely cosmetic one, as it doesn’t affect hearing. Also, it’s typically performed on children once their ears are almost fully developed (around age 5). However, it’s a popular surgery for teenagers and adults too, since it can address insecurities caused by their ears.

There are two main techniques used for ear pinning surgery: cartilage scoring or suture-based methods. An experienced plastic surgeon will assess your situation and recommend the best technique or a combination of both.

Ideal Candidates for Ear Pinning Surgery

You may now be interested in having your ears pinned back, but not everyone will be a suitable candidate for this surgery.

As with any type of surgery, ideal candidates should be in good health. You shouldn’t have:

• Life-threatening illnesses
• Untreated chronic ear infections
• Medical conditions that can hinder healing

In addition, you should be a non-smoker, or at least willing to quit months before and after your procedure. Ideal candidates should also have realistic expectations, emotional readiness, and a positive outlook. You should understand that otoplasty surgery will improve your ears’ position and symmetry, but that “perfection” isn’t the objective.

The Ear Pinning Surgery Procedure

So how do they pin ears back? This is what you should expect when going through the process.

Initial Consultation and Evaluation

First, you’ll schedule an initial consultation with your chosen plastic surgeon. During this appointment, they’ll examine the following for your ears:

• Size
• Shape
• Position

In addition, the surgeon will review your medical history. This can help them identify any conditions that might affect surgery and healing.

You’ll also discuss your aesthetic concerns and what you hope to achieve with the surgery. They’ll possibly take photos to help with planning.

Other things that your plastic surgeon will go over are:

• How otoplasty works
• What changes are achievable
• Whether one or both ears will be treated
• Anesthesia options
• Recovery expectations
• Potential risks

This is the perfect time for you to ask questions or talk about concerns, so feel free to do so. It may be beneficial to prep these subjects beforehand so that you make the most of your consultation.

Keep in mind that you don’t have to commit to anything just yet. Yes, the consultation is to see if the surgery is a good fit for you, but it’s also to see if you and the surgeon are good fits for one another. Always go with your gut feeling, and don’t be afraid to explore your options; you should feel 100% comfortable with a medical professional before proceeding.

Pre-Operation Preparation

After your consultation, you’ll schedule the surgery date. Before that, your surgeon may have you take certain steps to ensure that the surgery goes as smoothly and as safely as possible. For instance, they may order lab tests or have you do a medical evaluation.

You may also have to:

• Take certain medications
• Make adjustments to your current medications
• Stop smoking
• Avoid taking aspirin and some anti-inflammatory drugs

If your surgery is an outpatient one, then you’ll have to make arrangements for transportation home too. It’s best if they can also stay with you for the first 24 hours, just to make sure you’re okay, and that you get all the necessary help you need.

Surgical Preparation and Anesthesia

On the actual surgery day, the surgical team will clean and mark your ears to ensure precise adjustments.

As for anesthesia, surgeons typically use local anesthesia with sedation for adults. However, intravenous sedation or general anesthesia are also used; your plastic surgeon will recommend the best choice for your situation.

After the anesthesia is administered, the area around your ears will be fully numbed. Throughout the surgery, you can have peace of mind knowing that your vital signs will be monitored closely.

Ear Reshaping and Repositioning

Once you’re fully numbed, the surgeon will make a small incision behind your ear. They’ll then go through the incision to carefully reshape, fold, or reposition the cartilage to bring the ear closer to your head. In some cases, they’ll have to remove excess cartilage for better contouring.

Whatever they do, your surgeon will use permanent internal sutures to hold your ear in its new position. And when they’re happy with the final positioning and shape of your ear, they’ll close the incision with fine external sutures.

Post-Procedure Care

To finish off the surgery, your plastic surgeon will carefully cover your ears with bandages. To ensure that you’re okay, they’ll monitor you for a little bit before allowing you to go home (if this is an outpatient procedure).

You’ll be sent home with post-procedure care instructions. Plus, you’ll have follow-up appointments so that your surgeon can monitor your healing and remove the external sutures if needed.

The Risks of Ear Pinning Surgery

Of course, all surgeries aren’t without risk. The good news is that complications should be uncommon if you choose a qualified and experienced surgeon.

With that said, these are the risks you should be aware of:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Blood clots
• Adverse reactions to anesthesia
• Allergic reactions to materials used during surgery (e.g., tape, glues, blood products)

Also, some patients may experience:

• Temporary swelling
• Bruising
• Numbness
• Discomfort

If the ears heal unevenly, then there’s the risk of asymmetry. And if the patient’s expectations aren’t realistic, then they may be unhappy with the final results. In some rare cases, the scarring can get worse over time, or your ears might gradually shift back.

The most important thing is to follow your surgeon’s post-operative care instructions carefully. This, plus choosing an experienced professional, can reduce the likelihood of complications and increase the chances of optimal results.

Ear Pinning Surgery Recovery Timeline

Ear pinning surgery is a pretty simple and straightforward procedure. But it’s still a good idea to know how the recovery process should go so you know what to expect.

First 24-48 Hours

The first two days should be all about rest and protection. Typically, you’ll have a bulky head wrap or bandage to support your ears. 

You may have mild to moderate discomfort, tightness, pressure, and itchiness, but this is common and normal. You can manage these symptoms with either over-the-counter or prescribed medications.

As time goes on, you may see swelling and bruising. You should keep your head elevated and avoid touching or moving your ears to keep the swelling and bruising to a minimum.

Follow all post-op instructions and don’t do any strenuous activities.

First Week

After the first two days, the swelling and bruising will slowly get better, and the discomfort should decrease significantly. Your surgeon may allow the initial bandages to be removed or replaced with a lighter dressing or headband.

In the latter half of the first week, many people feel well enough to return to work, school, and light activities. If this is you, then make sure you’re still careful to avoid pressure on the ears (don’t sleep on your sides).

Keep the incision area clean and dry with gentle cleaning. Your ears may still be swollen or stiff, but early healing should be noticeable.

Weeks 2-3

By these weeks, most of the swelling and bruising should have resolved. This allows your new ears’ positions to be more apparent. If you have non-dissolvable stitches, then they’re typically removed during this period.

Some surgeons will advise their patients to keep wearing a supportive headband, especially at night. This can prevent accidental bending or trauma during sleep.

You’ll have much better physical comfort, so most people can resume normal activities. The exceptions are contact sports or activities that can impact your ears.

You may experience mild numbness or sensitivity, but this should only be temporary.

Weeks 4-6

Your ears will feel more natural during these weeks. There should be minimal residual swelling, and the incision lines should continue to fade.

You’ll no longer need protective headbands, but you’ll still need to exercise caution during certain activities. With that said, most patients should be cleared to resume exercise and more physically demanding activities by now.

You should keep getting sensation back, and stiffness in the cartilage should decrease too.

Months 2-3

In these months, your ears should have largely settled into their final shape and position. There shouldn’t be any more swelling or firmness in the cartilage. Plus, the scars should be less noticeable.

You may need follow-up visits to confirm proper healing. During these appointments, feel free to bring up any concerns with your surgeon.

How Long Do Ear Pinning Surgery Results Last?

One of the best things about ear pinning surgery is the fact that you get almost immediate results! Once you remove the dressings, you’ll see the new shape of your ears, and further improvements will come along once the swelling subsides. While there may be scars, they’ll be skillfully hidden behind the ears or within the creases of them.

We have further good news: if your plastic surgeon uses proper techniques and you follow their aftercare instructions, then the results should be permanent. As we’ve mentioned before, there are rare cases where the ears shift back slightly over time, but in most situations, this shouldn’t occur.

As long as you maintain realistic expectations, then the chances of you being satisfied with the final outcome will be higher.

Ear Pinning Surgery Cost

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the average cost of cosmetic ear surgery is $4,625 in the US. This is solely for the surgery itself, so you need to also factor in other costs, such as operating room facilities and anesthesia.

Factors That Influence the Total Cost

Of course, the above number is just an average, and the actual price you pay can vary drastically. The main things that can affect your final price are:

• Whether one or both ears are treated
• The surgical technique used
• The type of anesthesia required

In addition, where you get surgery matters a lot too. For example, plastic surgeons in major metropolitan areas will charge much more, especially if they have excellent reputations and are in high demand.

Get More Affordable Surgery in Mexico

Many people choose to get surgery in Mexico, and for good reason. In general, prices can be 50-80% lower, and you’ll still have great access to top surgeons such as Dr. Valdez. 

Although you’d have to travel out of the country for your procedure, it’s still worth it in the long run. You can even have a small vacation before and after surgery and enjoy some sightseeing before going home.

Schedule Your Ear Pinning Surgery Today

As you can see, ear pinning surgery is a small procedure that can make a huge difference in your life, especially if you’re self-conscious about how your ears look. It can be a simple outpatient surgery that you’re mostly healed from in a couple of weeks, and you’ll see a dramatic change in your appearance.

So what are you waiting for? Our wonderful practice in Mexico is waiting for you, and we’re ready to give you a pampered experience.

Get in touch with us now to schedule a consultation for ear pinning surgery. Dr. Valdez has over 17 years of experience in plastic surgery and is a fully board-certified surgeon.