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Prominent or misshapen ears can draw attention away from the rest of the face and cause you to feel self-conscious about your appearance. When ears project too far from the head or appear uneven, it’s not uncommon for patients to hide them behind long hair or avoid hairstyles that would reveal them.
Otoplasty, or ear pinning surgery, offers a lasting, natural-looking way to bring the ears into better balance with your facial features. Newport Beach plastic surgeon Dr. Joseph T. Cruise excels in performing ear surgery. Patients with concerns about protruding ears that affect their satisfaction with their appearance often ask him similar questions, and in order to provide those patients with the information they need to make decisions about their best cosmetic surgery option, the staff at Cruise Plastic Surgery has provided this website. Joseph T Cruise, MD, believes that each patient should be consulted individually, and he believes that each patient should have access to numerous before and after otoplasty pictures so that they can see the results that Joseph T Cruise, MD’s past patients have experienced. If you think ear surgery may be a good fit for you, we invite you to schedule a consultation with Dr. Cruise to receive personalized guidance.
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For most people, ears are a background feature that go largely unnoticed. But when ears protrude or stand out in some way, they can become a source of self-consciousness.
Protruding ears are usually not larger than other people’s ears. Instead, they bend outward rather than staying close to the scalp. This condition is slightly more common in men but can affect anyone. Joseph T Cruise, MD, has worked with both male and female patients to correct protruding ears that caused them to be dissatisfied with their appearance.
Cosmetic ear surgery, or otoplasty, is a simple surgical procedure that adjusts the shape, position, or proportion of the ears. It is most commonly performed to reduce the appearance of protruding ears by repositioning them closer to the head, but it can also address ear asymmetry, shape irregularities, or deformities caused by genetics or trauma.
Ear surgery can conveniently be performed under a local anesthetic such as lidocaine. Patients typically experience minimal discomfort, but local anesthetics cannot be used on children who are hyperactive or restless. You will discuss your anesthesia options with Joseph T Cruise, MD, during your consultation.
To change the shape of the ear, Joseph T Cruise, MD, typically removes skin and some cartilage and sutures the ear to create the bending that did not naturally occur. As a part of his otoplasty technique, Joseph T Cruise, MD, locates the ear surgery incision completely behind the ear, making it invisible to most people. These incisions often heal quickly and without complications, and typically leave very little scar tissue.
The most common reason people seek ear surgery is to correct protruding ears. However, the procedure can be customized to address a range of concerns, such as asymmetry or shape irregularities caused by congenital differences or injury.
Typically, protruding ears are due to a congenital lack of cartilage curvature in the ear. Ear cartilage normally bends backward toward the scalp, but cosmetic ear surgery can reverse the protrusion that results if this bending never occurs. For newborns younger than 6 weeks, the condition can be corrected without surgery, but as a person ages, ear surgery is required to obtain a normal, compact ear appearance.
This patient’s protruding ear is caused by both an excess of cartilage as well as failure of the ear to curve backward. Both problems were corrected to obtain the optimal result.
Other patients come to Cruise Plastic Surgery in Newport Beach with concerns about underdeveloped ears. “Microtia” are ears that have not developed fully, while “anotia” are ears that have never developed at all. While these problems are also congenital and more difficult to correct than protruding ears, Joseph T Cruise, MD, is experienced in many types of ear surgery and is happy to address each individual’s concerns.
A typical incision after otoplasty. The incision is located behind the ear, which heals exceptionally well and is well hidden, making the incision virtually unnoticeable.
The benefits of cosmetic ear surgery are often both aesthetic and emotional. Most patients feel an immediate boost in self-confidence, knowing their ears no longer draw unwanted attention.
This procedure provides:
You or your child may be a good candidate for otoplasty if the ears appear overly prominent, asymmetrical, or misshapen. Ideal candidates are healthy, non-smoking (or willing to stop temporarily), and free of chronic ear infections or healing disorders.
Joseph T Cruise, MD, does not perform otoplasty on children under the age of 14. It is best to wait until the ear has reached a near-adult size and until the child can comprehend what is taking place in terms of the surgery. Many parents choose to schedule their child's surgery during the summer break between school semesters.
Dr. Cruise will evaluate your anatomy, goals, and overall health to determine the best approach.
After surgery, most patients wear a protective headband or bandage for several days to support the new ear position and reduce swelling. Discomfort is usually mild and manageable with over-the-counter pain medication. The tables below provide a timeline of ear surgery recovery.
Recovering After Otoplasty Surgery Male
"80% of your results come from surgery, 20% from aftercare"
Recovering After Otoplasty Surgery Female
"80% of your results come from surgery, 20% from aftercare"
You’ll see a noticeable change in the position and shape of your ears as soon as the bandages are removed. As swelling decreases over the following weeks, the final result becomes more refined.
Most patients report feeling more confident and at ease in social situations, with results that look natural—not obvious. Because the cartilage is reshaped and sutured into place, the improvements are long-lasting and rarely require revision.
If you are dissatisfied with the appearance of your ears and are looking at your cosmetic surgery options to change their shape and size, Joseph T Cruise, MD, has the knowledge and experience to help you achieve the results you want.
As one of Orange County’s top plastic surgeons, Joseph T Cruise, MD, believes in giving each patient the information they need to make the right decisions for their unique concerns and situation.
Before your consultation, browse the gallery of otoplasty before and after pictures to find other patients with concerns similar to yours. At the consultation, you can ask Joseph T Cruise, MD, about your specific appearance and how ear surgery will alter it, and he will be able to provide you with an idea of the results you can expect. For more information, contact us today!
On this site, Joseph T Cruise, MD, provided some answers to the most frequently asked questions he hears from his otoplasty patients. At your consultation with Joseph T Cruise, MD, in his Orange County office, you can ask for more details about your particular concerns and desired results. Patients most often want to know about the following:
Yes, cosmetic otoplasty is an ideal procedure for altering the shape of protruding ears.
Typically, cosmetic ear surgery is performed under local anesthesia and does not require going to sleep under general anesthesia.
Risks of otoplasty include scarring, asymmetry in the final result, changes in skin sensation, and complications with stitches.
Most patients recover quickly and experience almost no interference from their daily routine.
You can learn more about financing options at Cruise Plastic Surgery on our Pricing page or during a consultation with Dr. Cruise.
