Question: How do I know if I’m a good candidate for ear correction? Answer: A good candidate for ear correction is a physically healthy individual who is realistic in their expectations and interested in improving the appearance of protruding ears. Ear correction is often performed on children, though it is recommended that surgery be performed only on children aged five and older.
Question: Can ear correction be performed at any age? Answer: Ear correction is often performed on children as it can spare them a great deal of teasing they may suffer as a result of their ears. However, it’s recommended that surgery be performed only on children aged five or older. Ear correction can also be performed on adults.
Question: Where is the surgery performed? Answer: Ear correction can be performed in a hospital, a surgeon’s office-based facility, or an outpatient surgical center.
Question: How long is the surgical time for ear correction? Answer: Surgical times for ear correction will vary, though it generally takes between two and three hours to complete.
Question: What is the anesthesia that is used during ear correction surgery? Answer: Older children and adults often receive local anesthesia and sedation. Younger children, on the other hand, often receive general anesthesia.
Question: Where does the doctor make the incisions for ear correction? Answer: With ear correction, the incisions are typically placed behind the ears.
Question: Does ear correction leave scars? Answer: The incisions made for ear correction will leave scars but they tend to be well hidden behind the ears.
Question: How much pain is involved with ear correction surgery? Answer: Some throbbing or aching of the ears can occur during the first few days after surgery. Pain medication can help to control any discomfort that patients experience.
Question: What is the recovery like after ear correction? Answer: Ear correction typically involves little downtime and patients can typically return to their regular activities within five to seven days. Some throbbing and aching of the ears may occur but can be controlled with pain medication. Stitches are typically removed in a week’s time.
Question: When will I be able to go back to work or school after ear correction surgery? Answer: Most patients can return to work or school within five to seven days after ear correction surgery. More strenuous activities and contact sports will need to be avoided for one to two months.
Question: How soon after ear correction surgery can I exercise? Answer: Strenuous activities and contact sports should be postponed for one to two months after ear correction surgery.
Question: How soon after ear correction surgery are the stitches removed? Answer: The stitches are typically removed within a week’s time after ear correction surgery.
Question: What are the complications that can occur with ear correction surgery? Answer: Adverse anesthesia reactions, blood clot, excessive scarring, infection, mismatched or artificial-looking ears, and recurrence of the protrusion are some of the potential complications that can occur with ear correction surgery.
Question: Is ear correction surgery ever covered by insurance? Answer: Ear correction procedures that are performed solely for cosmetic purposes are typically not covered by insurance. However, coverage is sometimes available for procedures intended to repair abnormal body structures. Patients should be sure to check with their own insurance carriers.
Question: Is financing available for ear correction? Answer: Financing is available for many plastic surgery procedures.
Question: What do I need to know when looking for a surgeon to perform my ear correction procedure? Answer: Choosing a plastic surgeon to perform your ear correction procedure is a very important decision. Make sure that the surgeon is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons (ABPS) by visiting the ABPS’s website at www.plasticsurgery.org. You should also be sure to ask the following questions: Does the surgeon have privileges to perform surgery in an accredited hospital? How many ear correction procedures has the surgeon performed? Where and how will the surgery be performed? Is the surgical facility accredited by a nation or state-recognized accrediting organization? What are the risks of your particular procedure?
Question: How can I find a surgeon for my ear correction procedure? Answer: Visit the website of the American Board of Plastic Surgeons at www.plasticsurgery.org in order to find a qualified, board-certified surgeon for your ear correction procedure. A friend or your physician may also be able to give you a referral.
Question: What does board certified mean? Answer: Board-certified doctors meet the following requirements: (1) they have graduated from an accredited medical school; (2) they have completed a combination of at least five years of general surgery and plastic surgery residency training; and (3) they have passed comprehensive oral and written exams. In addition, members of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons adhere to a strict code of ethics and regularly attend continuing medical education courses.
Question: If only one ear is protruding, is just that ear treated? Answer: Ear correction surgery is typically performed on both ears, even if only one is protruding, in order to achieve the best balance.
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