Ear Surgery

Ears that protrude and stick out, are misshapen or asymmetrical, or appear too large can have a negative impact on your sense of self esteem. Kids who have these characteristics may be subjected to years of bullying, which can ruin their self-image and confidence.

Houston Plastic Surgery Associates

Ear reshaping surgery – also referred to as otoplasty surgery – is a cosmetic procedure to redefine the shape and size of the ears in order to achieve a more pleasing and proportionate appearance. Kids, teenagers, or adults who have otoplasty plastic surgery feel self assured and are able to proudly show their face at any angle.

Houston, TX plastic surgeon Dr. Christopher Balinger offers otoplasty surgery to patients in Houston, Conroe, and surrounding Texas communities. The surgeon understands that your best self is connected to your self-confidence. Dr. Balinger has helped countless Houston children and adults overcome the fear of exposing their ears.

Working with a team of experienced clinicians, he goes out of his way to make sure that each patient is comfortable, safe, and happy with their procedure outcome. Dr. Balinger uses state of the art equipment and advanced surgical methods to achieve the best result while minimizing the risk of side effects such as scarring.

Who is a Candidate for Ear Reshaping Surgery

Otoplasty (cosmetic ear surgery) is a procedure to alter the shape, size, or position of the ears. You may be an ideal candidate for a otoplasty procedure if:

You are in good physical and emotional health
You feel self conscious about how far your ears stick out from your head
You have ears that are misshapen as a result of injury or birth defects
You have overstretched or split ear lobes resulting from long term use of large gauge earring
You have malformation resulting from a previous surgery that went wrong
You have a positive outlook and realistic expectations about the outcome of otoplasty plastic surgery

Otoplasty can be performed at any age as long as the ears are fully mature. Dr. Balinger recommends this plastic surgery for anyone above the age of five. If your child has misshapen or ‘elf’ ears, ear surgery can save them from years or bullying and teasing at school. When you visit Dr. Balinger for your first Houston ear surgery consultation, the surgeon will listen to you and examine your ears before letting you know whether this surgical procedure is for you.

Your Initial Otoplasty Consultation

During your first ear surgery Houston TX consultation, Dr. Balinger will ask questions and examine the patient’s ears before moving forward to the next step. This initial consultation – which is offered free of charge at Dr. Balinger’s office – is an opportunity to learn more about what this treatment entails, and what you can expect from the procedure. Dr. Balinger is accustomed to dealing with kids and can explain what this procedure is in a language that they can understand and accommodate.

Prepare for Your Ear Surgery in Houston TX

Once Dr. Balinger creates a customized treatment plan for you, the surgeon will let you know how to prepare for the otoplasty ear surgery. You will be asked to stop taking some medication and herbal supplements that can increase your risk of bleeding. Smoking is also forbidden in the weeks before the surgery because it can increase the risk of complications and impair healing. The surgeon will let you know what to do on the night before the surgery, and what supplies you need to have in place for a smooth recovery.

Schedule A Consultation

In-Office Virtual

Your Surgical Experience

Ear surgery is an outpatient procedure that is performed at Dr. Balinger’s in-office operating room or an accredited surgical facility. This surgery is usually performed in three steps.

Administer Anesthesia

Ear surgery may be performed under either local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia, based on the surgical technique. Feel free to discuss the choice of anesthesia with the surgeon during one of your pre-op consultation visits.

Create Incision

The surgeon will create an incision in the appropriate location based on the specifics of the procedure. Dr. Balinger typically positions incisions behind the ears or within the inner creases of the ears. This ensures that the resulting scars are well concealed. The surgeon will remove cartilage to make ears smaller, trim soft tissue to enhance the shape, or pin ears closer to the head to improve the orientation. What is done during this surgery all depends on the customized goals of the plastic surgery.

Close Incision

After all the desired changes has been completed, the surgeon will close the incision appropriately. The treatment area will then be bandaged to protect it.

Ear surgery is completed in about an hour. Immediately after the surgery, you will be placed in an observation room where Dr. Balinger’s team monitors your vitals before you are allowed to go home for recovery.

Recovery After Ear Surgery

Following otoplasty procedure, your ears will be wrapped in bandages. You will be asked to keep this dressing dry and clean at all times. The surgeon will also request that you avoid scratching or touching your ears, sleep in a certain position, and wear clothing that doesn’t need to be pulled over your head. The first follow-up visit is usually scheduled after a week. In some cases, the surgeon may need to remove incisions. Children will need to stay off school at least during the first week of recovery. A headband may be used to support the treatment area (at least when sleeping) for the next one month. Make sure to adhere to the surgeon’s post-op instructions in order to ensure a speedy recovery. Dr. Balinger’s office is available to answer your questions and provide the support you need throughout the recovery duration.

Plan Your Procedure in Houston TX

The cost of otoplasty surgery can vary dramatically based on the extensiveness of the procedure. Dr. Balinger’s patients can expect to pay between $3,200 and $6,500 for this treatment. Health insurers may cover the cost of ear reshaping surgery if it is being performed for cosmetic reasons. However, if you need the treatment for cosmetic purposes, you will need to pay out of your own pocket. During your consultation visit with Dr. Balinger, the surgeon will provide more info and generate a cost estimate based on a personalized treatment plan developed for you. The surgeon offers financing options for his patients in Houston, Conroe, and surrounding TX areas.

Meet the Surgeon

Christopher Balinger, MD, brings keen professionalism to the operating table. With each patient, the surgeon creates a highly customized plan to achieve the desired procedure outcome while working to eliminate or minimize the risk of scarring and other side effects. Dr. Balinger is uniquely skilled to perform an otoplasty procedure and a host of other cosmetic surgeries. He works with a team of highly qualified support staff who are committed to the safety and well being of their patients. If you are looking for the best plastic surgeon in Houston for ear surgery, get in touch with Dr. Balinger’s office today.

Average Cost

$3,200 – $6,500

Procedure Time

1 Hour

Recovery Time

1 Week

Insurance

May be covered

No need to feel embarrassed by your ears when you can change the shape and size with ear surgery. The procedure can make your ears smaller or pull them closer to your head to balance out your features. Dr. Balinger offers otoplasty for men and women in Houston, Conroe, and the surrounding areas of Texas.

FAQ

What is otoplasty?

Otoplasty is a type of plastic surgery that changes the aesthetics of your ears. This type of ear surgery does not affect your hearing or correct any issues that you have with hearing. Dr. Balinger uses innovative techniques to give your ears similar proportions as your other features, such as making the ears smaller, correcting asymmetry and pinning the ears to stand closer to your head.

How much does ear surgery cost?

The average cost of ear surgery is $3,200 to $6,500. Because otoplasty is designed to meet the individual cosmetic needs of the patient, we can only discuss your cost after the consultation with Dr. Balinger. We offer free initial consultations at our offices in Houston and Conroe, as well as financing options for our patients.

What are the benefits of otoplasty?

The benefits of ear surgery are to improve the harmony between your ears and facial features, as well as to help you feel more at ease with the shape and size of your ears.

How is ear surgery performed?

Otoplasty is an outpatient procedure that does not require general anesthesia. Dr. Balinger numbs your ears with a local anesthesia to help you feel relaxed during the procedure. He uses innovative techniques that are modified to suit your specific needs, and the procedure may involve:

Removing cartilage to make the ears smaller
Trimming soft tissue to give the ears a more pleasing shape
Using cartilage grafts to enhance areas of the ears that are underdefined
Removing cartilage along the back of the ears and pinning them to heal with an orientation that is closer to the head

What is recovery like after otoplasty?

Your ears will be wrapped in bandages. Please be advised that cartilage takes time to heal, and you should take extra precautions to protect your ears from impacts, any type of pressure, and other potential sources of injuries. If you do injure your ears or experience some type of impact, contact our office right away to schedule a follow-up appointment with Dr. Balinger. Expect the healing to take several months.

How long will ear surgery results last?

The cartilage and soft tissue of the ears rarely changes over your lifetime, so the results of otoplasty are considered permanent.