Otoplasty (Ear Correction Surgery) FAQs

An otoplasty is a surgical procedure that aims to improve the appearance of the ears. The surgery can help to bring ears that stick out too far closer to the head which is also known as ear pinning. An otoplasty procedure can also help to reduce the size of large ears and reshape bends in the cartilage.

Some surgeons refer to Otoplasty surgery as a Pinnaplasty. This is just a different name for the same operation to correct misshapen ears.

We do not treat anyone under the age of 18 years old at The Private Clinic. Ear correction surgery for children should be discussed with your GP.

You will not be required to shave your head or cut your hair as any incisions are made behind the ear. We will tie long hair back to ensure it is out of the way prior to surgery.

There are a wide range of techniques for otoplasty surgery that will depend on what the procedure is aiming to fix. Incisions are most commonly made round the back of the ear and the cartilage can be sculpted to allow the ear to be bent back towards the head. In some cases, cartilage may also be removed to allow for a more natural-looking result.

You will be able to shower 48 hours after the surgery but the bandaging on the head following your procedure must be kept dry for 1 week until it is removed.

For this reason, a bath may be more beneficial.

As with all types of surgery, there are going to be potential risks.

Risks that are associated with Otoplasty include; reaction to anaesthesia, infection, blood clot, asymmetry and cosmetic dissatisfaction.

All risks and side effects from your procedure will be discussed in consultation with your surgeon to help you make a fully informed decision.

We recommend that you avoid exercising in the immediate weeks following an otoplasty this is because increased blood flow in the operated area can increase your risk of swelling which can delay the healing process. Whilst light exercise should be fine 2 weeks after the procedure, we do recommend that exercise is avoided for 6 weeks.

At this time you will return to clinic to see your surgeon who will then be able to advise further based on your individual circumstances.

An otoplasty/pinnaplasty procedure is not suitable for everyone. This is why it is important to do your research and go along for consultations with surgeons to work out your suitability and what you can realistically expect from surgery.

To find out about your suitability for ear correction surgery, make a consultation to see one of our expert plastic surgeons.

At The Private Clinic, we are able to treat patients who require anti-helical fold reconstruction, removal of Darwin’s Tubercle, restoration of upper ear anatomy, restoration of upper ear congenital deformity, conchal bowl reduction and reversal of earlobe hypertrophy.

A standard otoplasty recovery timeline;

First 24 hours– You will be required to wear a mild compressive garment around your head. If you do manage to catch a glimpse, your ears may appear or feel larger but this is due to the swelling.

24 to 72 hours– Although the initial compression bandages may be removed, you will still be required to wear a light headband around your ears for the next 1-2 weeks. The majority of your swelling will begin to reduce. You will be able to shower/bathe from the neck down without any restrictions however you should avoid washing your hair until at least 3-4 days after the procedure.

72 hours to First Week– Some patients feel happy to return to work at this point but this will depend on the swelling and what your job involves.

First Week to Second Week– At this point, the swelling should have subsided and most patients feel comfortable to be in social situations and have returned to work and their normal activities. You will also be able to shower as normal at the end of the first week. After two weeks you won’t need to wear the headband at all times, just at night for another couple of weeks.

Three Months– Your swelling should be completely gone at this stage.

If you have been researching ear correction you may have noticed that some refer to the procedure as an otoplasty and others as a pinnaplasty. Are they the same thing?

You’ll be pleased to know that everyone is still talking the same language and there is no difference between an otoplasty and a pinnaplasty.

Pinna refers to the projecting part of the ear outside the head. Oto means ear when combined with other words such as ‘ology’ or ‘plasty’. These then mean moulding or reshaping of a defect to restore form and/or function to a body part.

The cost of an Otoplasty / Pinnaplasty procedure starts from £4,740.

We don’t follow a one-price-fits-all policy and prices are quoted on a case-by-case basis. You will be given an accurate quote for your requirements following your consultation. To find out more or book a consultation click here.

Consultations with our plastic surgeons are £100 at our clinics in London Harley Street, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton.

We also offer consultations with our highly experienced Patient Coordinators which require a £25 refundable deposit to secure your place. These are available in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton.

Patient coordinators are able to offer you all the information you require prior to meeting a surgeon.

Please note all consultations available at our Harley Street clinic are with a surgeon.

The Private Clinic has clinics across the UK so we are sure to have an expert ear surgeon located near to you.

Our clinics;

Where can I get ear surgery in London?

London – 98 Harley street, W1G7HZ

Where can I get ear surgery in Manchester?

Manchester – 25 St John Street, M3 4DT

Where can I get ear surgery in Birmingham?

Birmingham – 88 Hagley Road, B16 8LU – West Midlands

Where can I get ear surgery in Leeds?

Leeds – 45 Park Square North, LS1 2NP – Yorkshire

Where can I get ear surgery in Northampton?

Northampton – 82 Billing Road, NN1 5DF – East Midlands

To find out more about booking a consultation, use our online contact form.

An otoplasty procedure involves the surgeon reshaping the cartilage of the ear. The cartilage is what forms the ear underneath the skin. If you are born with misshapen ears, this is often corrected through the use of a splint in the first couple of days as the cartilage is very soft and mouldable with no need for invasive surgery.

An Otoplasty procedure typically takes about two to three hours to complete. Depending on the case and the desired results, the treatment can be performed under local or general anaesthetic.

An otoplasty or pinnaplasty procedure can be performed under a local anaesthetic in most circumstances however this is decided on an individual case basis and you will be told at your consultation what to expect on the day of your procedure.

An otoplasty procedure is performed under local or general anaesthetic to ensure that you are comfortable and feel no pain. You may experience some mild discomfort after surgery which can be managed with painkillers and will subside after a few days.

Generally, a child will have ear correction surgery before the age of 5 and this is decided by the parents. When the child is between 5 and 13 they are usually not too worried about their appearance but then after age 13, there seems to be popularity again for those favouring the surgery. We are always able to operate again on the same area if you feel you need to have the procedure again, but always make sure you talk to your surgeon about your realistic expectations.

To find out about your suitability for ear correction surgery, make a consultation to see one of our expert plastic surgeons.

You may be thinking you’ve left it too late to have an otoplasty procedure, or it is not worth having anymore, but age is just a number and if something is bothering you enough to even consider surgical options to treat it, then it is well worth asking the question.

As long as you are fit and healthy, there is no age limit to ear correction surgery. As this type of surgery is an elective operation, we are a little stricter on health as we need to ensure that you can recover from the aesthetic and there are no unnecessary risks.

To find out about your suitability for ear correction surgery, make a consultation to see one of our expert plastic surgeons.

An otoplasty will have no effect on your hearing.

There are three parts to the ear; the pinna is the external ear, the middle ear which is behind the eardrum and then deeper in you have the inner ear balance. When you have ear correction surgery it will only affect the pinna region of the ear.

After the surgery you will be required to wear bandages which cover your ears – this may reduce your hearing slightly but once you are allowed to remove these, your hearing will return to normal.

In the first five to seven days following your procedure, you will have to wear a turban head-bandage to protect and support your wounds. During this time, you will have to wear a support band day and night.

Depending on your case, you may be required to wear the support band for up to four to six weeks. Your surgeon will provide full aftercare details following your procedure.

Yes, we can. Your surgeon will assess your ears and give you objective advice about the proportions of your ears compared to your face and the best way for you to achieve natural-looking results.

It is possible to change the shape, projection, and size of the ears. Ears can be pinned back, or skin can be removed and the cartilage reshaped when making other aesthetic changes.

To find out more about what an otoplasty procedure can do for you, click here to book a consultation.

There should be no visible scarring if you’re having your ears pinned back. However, resizing or reshaping has the potential to leave thin white scars where the cartilage has been altered. Your surgeon will advise you on this and you should take into consideration whether minimal scarring is suitable in view of your desired goals.

In any case, our surgeons take extra care to ensure that incisions are made within the natural lines and creases of the body so that scarring is either invisible or kept to a bare minimum.

When it comes to having any type of surgery, the recovery period can be difficult. Not just because of any discomfort, but because when it comes to doing normal things like having a shower or bath, you may be restricted.

We would suggest that before having surgery you do anything that you need to do – bath, shower, wash your hair and shave the day before you are due in for surgery. This way you know that it has been done and a few days without being able to perform these actions should not be too traumatic for you!

After ear correction surgery you will be required to wear a bandage or dressing for around a week following the procedure. During this time, hair washing will be off-limits. Once you have been given the go-ahead by your nurse or surgeon to remove these dressings you will be okay to wash your hair, but just take it easy and it may be worth asking for assistance the first time you attempt to do this.

Once recovered from ear correction surgery you will be free to play any sport this is usually from 6 weeks.

However, we do recommend that you protect your ears when playing sports that cause excessive friction on the ear like rugby as although this shouldn’t cause your ears to return to their original state – it may distress the ear a little and may eventually lead to deformity that you can see on professional rugby players.

Getting your ears pierced is vastly popular but if you have struggled with the appearance of your ears the thought of having any type of decoration on them may have felt terrifying with the fear of drawing additional unwanted attention. So once you have had surgery you may be considering a new piercing to celebrate your new ears.

There is no reason why you would not be able to have any piercings after ear correction surgery this includes lobe to cartilage piercing.

Generally yes, ear correction surgery is permanent.

As long you take care during the recovery period then there should be no reason for your ears to revert back to their original state.

Sometimes we do perform revision surgery if the patient decides the change is not enough which is more common if one ear protruded slightly more than the other.

This is all comes down to having realistic expectations prior to surgery which is fully discussed with your surgeon during a consultation.

To find out more about booking a consultation at a clinic near you, contact us here.

We offer a free ear surgery phone or video consultations with our experienced patient coordinators. They will be able to provide information on the procedure and the best ear correction surgeons that are going to suit your requirements.

In order to secure the timed appointment we will require a £25 refundable deposit. This is refunded once the consultation takes place. You can change your appointment time up to 48 hours before.

Contact us to book your free phone or video consultation.