Otoplasty (Ear shape correction)

What is otoplasty?
Otoplasty is the name given to the procedure used to "pin back" protruding ears. One or both of the ears may not grow into the normal shape during development and there are many descriptive terms applied to these abnormalities. In such cases, surgery is often very helpful making the ears look better although sometimes it may not be possible to achieve an entirely normal appearance, especially in the worst cases.

What happens?
A patient is admitted on the morning of surgery. A general anaesthetic is given but some people prefer local anaesthetic and sedation. Incisions are made in the groove behind the ear so that the scars are hidden from view. At the end of the procedure a turban bandage is usually applied for 24 hours and removed before discharge home the following day. Thereafter, a bandage is worn at night until healing is complete. Sutures are normally removed at ten days.

What are the alternatives?
None, except to accept your looks as they are.

Will there be any bruising?
Bruising and swelling of the ears is inevitable. By the time of suture removal the majority of the bruising has subsided.

Where is the scar?
Usually the incision is hidden in the fold at the back of the ear and is unlikely to be obvious but in those cases where a significant abnormality of the ear has been corrected, it is sometimes necessary to place an incision, and therefore produce a scar, on the outside of the ear where it might be visible.

Is there any chance of infection?
Yes, infection can sometimes occur, and would require an antibiotic treatment. Rarely the wound may require to be re-sutured if this occurs.

Asymmetry
It should be stressed that both ears are never alike even in the normal state and that perfect symmetry is not a reasonable expectation. Recurrence is a possibility and a further operation is very occasionally necessary.

Result
After the otoplasty, the ears which used to be a source of great embarrassment should look normal. This gives the freedom of choice to choose any hairstyle and avoids the difficulty of hiding them when going swimming or on windy days. This is one of the most frequent and successful operations in cosmetic surgery. The result is permanent. 

How much will it cost?
Your best investment is an individual consultation with a surgeon you trust. Cosmetic Surgery is usually a life-time investment. Our patients are treated as individuals, and costs do vary from person to person dependant on their individual needs. However, the total cost of your procedure will be quoted at the consultation, fully inclusive with no hidden extras.

Should I have ear reshaping?
Only you can answer that question. Be sure you are doing it for the right reasons: your own sense of self confidence and self esteem. No matter what anyone else thinks, if you are happy with your appearance there is no reason to have it changed. So before making that decision, attend a consultation, get the facts. Be realistic in your expectations and make an educated decision that is right for you.

The eye is the mirror of the soul. It projects happiness, ecstasy, sorrow, dejection, fear, in fact all forms of emotion. If the eyes are marred by hooded upper or puffy lower lids, an expression of constant tiredness is given to the face and the sparkle of youth is gone.

What is it?
It is one of the least invasive cosmetic procedures. A relatively simple, safe and long lasting technique to reduce eye bags (fat deposits) under the eyes or over the eyelids, excessive wrinkles and loose skin.

Who is it for?
For women and men who are concerned that drooping eyelids and the bagging effect below their eyes makes them appear tired and older than their years. Often the procedure is combined with a face lift but, over the last decade, the average age for eyelid surgery has declined from mid-fifties to early forties and has become the first step in surgical rejuvenation.

In the case of inherited eye "bags," the right time for eyelid surgery is when slackness of the skin and bagginess of the lids is an ever present feature not relieved by rest. The timing of surgery does not necessarily bear any relationship to the age of the person and should not be delayed too long. Once the skin has stretched, it will then start to sag and the condition becomes more difficult to correct.

What are the alternatives?
None, but to accept your looks as they are.

What happens?
There are essentially two methods of blepharoplasty that are carried out by our (FRCS) Consultant Cosmetic Surgeons.

Traditional Blepharoplasty:
Lower Lid
An incision is made very close to and just under the lash line, sagging skin and loose muscle is excised along with any excess fat. The surgeon then tightens, reshapes and sutures the skin. The resulting "hairline incision" heals very quickly and tends to fade within weeks.
Upper Lid
A very similar procedure to the lower lid, however, the incision follows the natural contour of the eyelid and is made in the natural fold of the lid, the resulting "hairline incision" becomes the eyelid's new skin crease.

Transconjunctival Blepharoplasty
A state of the art technique which is becoming increasingly popular. Used to treat the lower eye bags on patients with good skin elasticity, the incision is made through the conjunctiva (inside the lining of the lower lid) therefore leaving no visible scar with little chance of the "pulling down" of the lower lid and without changing the natural shape and contour of the eyes.

How long should it last?
The procedure can "turn back the clock" but it cannot "stop it ticking". Your natural ageing process will continue normally, however, the more alert and youthful look should last for years.

Will I be asleep?
Yes, twilight sleep. You will be sedated heavily with medication throughout the procedure. Your Consultant Anaesthetist is present throughout surgery to ensure that you are comfortable and pain free. You will probably have no recollection of the procedure. General anaesthesia can also sometimes be used, preferences will be discussed during your consultation with your Consultant Cosmetic Surgeon.

Is there any discomfort?
Some swelling, tenderness and discomfort may be experienced for a few days which will be controlled with medication if necessary.

How long does it take?
The procedure takes between one to two hours and you can usually return home on the day after treatment, returning approximately one week later for your first post-operative appointment.

Can I drive myself home?
No - because of the medications used during surgery, you cannot drive for 24 hours.

What will I look like immediately? When will I look good?
Normal healing takes approximately one week and any further discoloration or swelling subsides very quickly so that within two to four weeks you should be completely back to your new self.

When can I wear make-up?
A week after the procedure, when most of the swelling has subsided, you may apply eye make-up. Of course, you may wear lipstick right away. Contact lenses can be worn after two weeks. After eyelid surgery, a number of our female patients decide on a "make-over" and a new hairstyle to enhance their change in looks.

How much will it cost?
Your best investment is an individual consultation with a surgeon you trust. Cosmetic Surgery is usually a life-time investment.Our patients are treated as individuals, and costs do vary from person to person dependant on their individual needs. However, the total cost of your procedure will be quoted at the consultation, fully inclusive with no hidden extras.

Should I have eyelid surgery?
Only you can answer that question. Be sure you are doing it for the right reasons: your own sense of self confidence and self esteem. No matter what anyone else thinks, if you are happy with your appearance there is no reason to have it changed. So before making that decision, attend a consultation, get the facts. Be realistic in your expectations and make an educated decision that is right for you.