Large ear lobes or various ear deformities including protruding or drooping ears can easily lead to a person feeling self-conscious about their appearance. Thanks to otoplasty in tampa fl surgery, patients of all ages have a way to safely and effectively treat the abnormalities in their ear structure that is causing distress. If you’re unhappy with the shape of your ears and are looking to do something about it, call Soler Cosmetic Plastic Surgery in Tampa, FL today to speak with a medical professional about your options.
What Is Otoplasty?
Cosmetic surgery of the ear, or otoplasty tampa, is an elective surgical procedure capable of altering the size, positioning, or proportion of a patient’s ears. The outcome of the surgery will vary significantly from patient-to-patient depending on the personal cosmetic goals they’re looking to achieve. By and large though, the procedure is effective at both addressing the aesthetic issues the patient is dealing with and providing a huge boost to their self-confidence and self-esteem.
How Otoplasty Can Change Your Look
A lot of plastic surgery patients have concerns about the way they’re going to look post-surgery. Some patients are hoping for dramatic changes while some others are concerned that they will no longer look like themselves. This procedure only affects the ears, and there’s virtually no change anywhere else regarding their overall appearance other than the distance at which their ears protrude.
From Behind
One of the biggest changes to your overall look after undergoing surgery is going to be how you look from behind. Often, patients with prominent, protruding ears wear their hair long to cover them up so their ears aren’t visible from behind. If you wear your hair long for this purpose, you won’t notice much of a change in the way you look from behind.
Those who choose to wear shorter hairstyles, though, will notice a dramatic change in their appearance from behind, as their ears no longer protrude the way that they did.
Your Visual Perception of Yourself
When someone is dissatisfied with a specific part of their appearance, it’s normal for them to focus on that area almost entirely when they view themselves in the mirror or in pictures. One thing that tends to change after surgery is that patients no longer focus on that one area, resulting in a drastic change in how the patient views themselves.
Often, people who undergo the procedure end up “coming out of their shell” after the procedure, as they no longer feel self-conscious about their features.
A Subtle But Significant Change
The most dramatic changes are noted in patients who undergo the procedure to correct abnormal folds, contours, protrusions, or ear size. For those who have less severe issues with their ears, the change from surgery is often more subtle. You may notice the changes right away since you’re used to the shape of your body, but others may not notice unless they see side-by-side pictures of your ears.
Regardless of whether you desire your results to be more dramatic or more subtle, what matters most is that the procedure will have a positive influence on the way you view yourself.
Who Is a Candidate for the Procedure?
The type of person who will benefit most from this procedure is one who feels their ears are too prominent, turned too far forward, or are simply too big. The surgery can not only change the appearance of the ears but can make patients feel better about themselves, too.
Are Your Ears Causing Physical Discomfort?
Some people with prominent ears find that their ears get cold easily due to their distance from the rest of the body. Additionally, large or tilted ears can easily get folded over when a person rolls onto their side while sleeping. When they awake, the folded ear hurts.
Having large, prominent ears can actually act to magnify sounds. When this happens, normal environments can seem too loud, and loud environments (such as movies or concerts) can be excruciating.
Are Your Ears Asymmetric?
Some patients have one ear that looks relatively normal while the other extends outward, folds awkwardly, or just looks obviously different from their other ear. Most of the time, patients who undergo the procedure have both ears corrected. However, sometimes patients with asymmetrical ears will choose the procedure but only have it done on one side.
What Is the Best Age for Surgery?
Generally speaking, a person who is experiencing mental or physical discomfort due to the shape or positioning of their ears can undergo the procedure regardless of their age. There’s no right or wrong time to invest in a happier you.
What About Children?
Otoplasty is an interesting cosmetic surgery because it doesn’t address visible signs of aging (as many other cosmetic options do). Instead, it corrects an issue that’s often present in early childhood, often by the age of six.
Common Ages for Surgery
There are two age brackets in which many patients fall. The first is young children around age six when parents first really notice the shape of their ears. Parents will sometimes elect to have their children undergo the procedure to address their ear issues and save their children from the potential of ridicule and the nasty effects it can have on their self-esteem.
The second age bracket is people in their 20s. Most often, these patients would have preferred to have undergone the procedure while they were young children but were unable to do so for whatever reason.
What Are the Benefits of Undergoing Ear Surgery?
The benefits of choosing to undergo ear surgery can vary from person to person based on their reasons for choosing surgery in the first place. However, there are a number of general benefits that most patients notice.
Corrected Structural Issues
This is considered an elective, aesthetic procedure for the majority of patients looking to address protruding or oversized ears. During the procedure, excess cartilage and skin are removed and the ears are reshaped and pinned back. If you have cupped, folded, excessively small, or excessively large ears, this procedure is perfect for addressing your concerns.
More Confidence
While oversized or protruding ears can result in a range of physical discomforts, one of the largest issues by far is the way it harms a person’s self-esteem and self-confidence. When the ears are prominent, imbalanced, or are excessively large or small, they can call attention away from other more physically appealing characteristics of your face.
People in this position can be highly conspicuous and are often a target of bullying and teasing during childhood. Being the target of these behaviors can have seriously detrimental effects on a person’s sense of self, their wellbeing, and how they feel about themselves daily. With surgery, it’s possible to address the physical issue and, by extension, the negative emotional issues that can sometimes come with it.
The Results Are Permanent
This procedure typically takes only about an hour or two to complete, but the results can last a lifetime. Since the issues the procedure addresses do not stem from the unavoidable march of time the way some cosmetic surgeries do, you don’t have to worry about your ears returning to their old shape. Once the procedure is complete and your surgical bandages are removed, you’ll be able to enjoy the results of your surgery every day of your life.
It’s a Very Safe Procedure
Thousands of children and adults alike have been able to enjoy the benefits of undergoing otoplasty to correct their irregularly shaped ears. The procedure isn’t all that invasive and doesn’t require months of downtime while you heal. The techniques used are both safe and reliable.
Can Otoplasty Be Paired With Other Procedures?
Depending on your aesthetic goals, the surgery can be paired with other treatments or procedures to provide a more robust result. For example, some patients choose to undergo rhinoplasty as well to further balance their facial features. Whether you want to undergo additional procedures or treatments is your prerogative, and Dr. Soler will be able to make suggestions if you so desire.
Why Choose Us?
We are dedicated to your satisfaction, and we tailor all of your treatment options to your goals and expectations. We won’t settle for anything less than your total satisfaction with not only the outcome of your surgery but your overall experience with our practice.
Dr. Soler
Dr. Soler is our board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon. He is a Cum Laude graduate of Creighton University Medical School and specialized in plastic and reconstructive surgery at USF Medical School, where he trained under world-renown plastic surgeons. After his training in plastic surgery, Dr. Soler completed a specialized fellowship in Pediatric Craniofacial Surgery under the famous surgeon Dr. Fernando Ortiz Monasterio.
Experience Matters
Dr. Soler has over 22 years of experience in the field of cosmetic and reconstructive surgery and is highly regarded for his meticulous work and attention to detail. It is Dr. Soler’s belief that excellence in plastic surgery is attained through a combination of technical expertise, creativity, and individuality. His approach to patient care is a uniquely personal one, and his philosophy is simple: always listen to the patient.
How to Get Started
You must qualify for treatment before undergoing surgery, so the first step is to call and make an appointment to meet with Dr. Soler to discuss your condition and the results you’re looking to achieve. During your appointment, you will be evaluated as a candidate for surgery. Dr. Soler will examine your ears to determine which changes are possible and make suggestions for additional or alternative treatments if he thinks they will better help you achieve your desired results.
How Should You Prepare?
Once you’ve been able to make your concerns known and Dr. Soler has approved you as a candidate for surgery, you’ll be provided with a thorough list of preoperative instructions. The instructions that Dr. Soler provides are tailored to each individual patient. However, there are a few general rules that all surgery candidates are asked to do.
If you smoke, you should stop at least six weeks before surgery. You will also need to avoid taking certain medications that can interfere with healing or cause excessive bleeding. Make sure you’re able to provide Dr. Soler with a complete medical history and a list of any and all medications you’re currently taking so that he can make the appropriate suggestions.
Learn More
Otoplasty is an elective cosmetic procedure intended to address issues with a patient’s ears. Whether your ears are too large, too small, droopy, prominent, or are causing you distress for any other reason, there is a procedure available that will help improve the way you look and, most importantly, the way you feel about yourself.
If you’re dissatisfied with your appearance and think that ear surgery may be an option, call Soler Cosmetic Surgery in Tampa, FL today to discuss your options. A newer, happier you is just around the corner.