FAQ: Otoplasty

It is able to improve the proportion, size, and shape of the ear and overall repair any disfigured ears

Some risk and complications are blood clots, infection, overcorrection, contour distortion, hearing loss (very rare)

There are home-made remedies using adhesive material to fold back the ears or manipulate the shape and a non-suture technique.

There are no other surgical techniques.

Yes

Yes

You can see pre and post-operative result in our office, on my website, or during consultation

No, it should not when performed properly

It should last a lifetime

If you are older than 16 years, the surgery should cost around $4,500

The incisions are made on the back of the ear, where the ear cartilage will be removed or sutured, in order to reshape the ear.

There will be some swelling after the surgery but the results are noticeable right away when the bandages are removed

Yes

Recovery time should take around 3 months, in order for all the swelling to subside

The swelling should go down dramatically the first week and will take a full 3 months for all minor swelling to disappear.

There is moderate pain but medication will be provided to help manage with this

Patients may take extra strength Tylenol, Tylenol 3, Percocet to help with the pain.

The scars from the incision are usually well hidden behind the ears

The surgery is an outpatient procedure. Patients are kept in the clinic for a couple of hours until they have awoken from the surgery and are ready to leave.

You should be able to get back to 80% of your daily activities within one week. I encourage my patients to ambulate and resume light activities within a few days after surgery. We recommend that you do not do any heavy exercise or weight lift for 3 weeks

In general, you should not drive the first 48 hours after surgery. Also if you are taking heavy necrotic, one should not be driving. Most of my clients are usually driving after 3 to 4 days.

Patients can return to their normal routine within 1-2 weeks.

My procedure is usually done under general anesthesia but spine and region with sedation are also possible.

All my patients see the anesthesiologist before but usually on the day of surgery. For one who has special needs, I frequently arrange for consultation with anesthesiologist a few days before surgery.

Your medication list will be reviewed prior to surgery.

The decision to stop your medications will be discussed when your medications are reviewed.

For my patients, general lab tests such as CBC, electrolytes, liver function, INR, PTT, cardiogram are fairly routine, Other tests may be ordered if one has special medical condition.

My anesthesiologist and I prefer that one stop eating and drinking 6 hours before surgery. One can take medication with a small sip of water if the medication is indicated before surgery

We recommend that you arrive 30 minutes before your surgery. We will also try you on your mobile phone if the time of surgery has been changed.

You can call my office for direction. Our address is available online and one can also use mobile app for direction

You need someone to take you home after surgery as driving is not permitted.

• Arrange for someone to take care of responsibilities at home and work
• It is a good idea to have someone take care of responsibilities at home and at work until you are ready to take care of these.
• Arrange for someone to take you home from the hospital. Arrange for someone to stay with you the first night after surgery
• Call your doctor if you think of other questions
• You are given a number to call and /or text me after surgery.
• Notify your doctor if you get sick within 10 days of your surgery (even minor illnesses like a cold)
• I like to have close contact with our patients. If you have any concern after your surgery, please contact our office.
• Stop eating and/or drinking as advised by your doctor
• My anesthesiologist and I prefer that one stop eating and drinking 6 hours before surgery. One can take medication with a small sip of water if the medication is indicated before surgery
• Do not smoke or drink alcohol 24 hours before your surgery
• I like having our clients stop smoking one week before surgery and two weeks after. If you cannot stop completely as least try to decrease the amount you smoke. It is a good idea to abstain from alcohol 24 hours before surgery.
• Make sure you have the doctor’s contact information
• Make sure you have directions to the hospital/office for visitors

It usually takes 1 to 2 hours.

Our clients usually wake up within 10 minutes at the end of the procedure.

You usually wake up within 10 minutes from the procedure, and your family can see you within an hour from the procedure.

I usually start antibiotics in the operating room, and you may take oral antibiotics for another 48 hours.

• Make sure your identity has been confirmed with name and date of birth
• Make sure your procedure has been confirmed
• Make sure the correct site of your surgery has been marked
• Confirm any allergies and side-effects you might have
• Make sure you understand and have signed the informed consent forms
  You will have time to review the consent and I like to make sure you understand and have asked all the questions that you may have.

I usually talk to you in the recovery room as well as with one to two days after surgery in your postoperative visit to explain how your surgery went.

This depends on your medical conditions and I will discuss this with you at your pre operative consultation.

I usually like you to continue with your usual medication with exception of medication that can cause bleeding. I will discuss this with you further.

You can drink water and liquid shortly after the procedure.

My procedure is usually as an outpatient and you will be staying for a few hours after. I only let my patient go home if they are ready.

You need to meet all the discharge criteria before you can go home.

You will be given intra-operative medication; local block and oral and parental pain medication to make sure you are comfortable.

You should have the medication filled before the day of surgery.

Any mediation that can cause bleeding or alternate your medical condition need to be stopped or changed before surgery. I will be discussing with you in detail at pre-operative visit.

Just keep the area clean and dry.

Keep the head elevated with high pillows and wearing a protective head band can help reduce any chance of unintentional rubbing or pulling of the ear

I usually send you home with oral pain medication and some antibiotics.

I usually send you home with oral pain medication and some antibiotics.

The bandages are usually removed at your first follow-up appointment

No. The sutures will remain permanently.

It is advised that vigorous activity should be avoided for a few weeks and our patient can do light activities at home.

Sexual activity can be resumed after a few weeks when majority of the swelling has subside

Patients may go back to work after the surgery one week but this may be longer if their work is physically demanding

You can usually drive 48 hours after surgery as long as you are not any narcotic medication.

• Make sure your care providers wash their hands before and after your care
• Do not wait until your pain is severe before you ask for pain medication
• Make sure the call button is within reach before medical staff leave the room
• Sit on the edge of the bed for a few minutes before you stand up to prevent getting dizzy
• Do not get out of bed without help if you feel weak or dizzy

• You have a fever higher than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit
• You have shortness of breath or chest pain
• You notice increased redness, swelling, warmth, or pain around your surgical incision
• You notice that your incision is separating or you have infected discharge from your incision
• Your bandages are repeatedly soaked with blood
• Your ears feel numb or cold
• You have pain that your existing pain medications cannot control

• Take pain and other medications as prescribed
• Do not drive when you are on prescription pain medications
• Do not soak in a bath or go swimming for ten days after your surgery
• Keep your incision clean and dry
• Follow your doctor’s instructions on caring for the bandages on your ear
• Follow your doctor’s instructions on your sleeping position to help you avoid discomfort while sleeping
• Avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting as long as your doctor advises
• Follow your doctor’s instructions on resuming normal daily activities
• Follow your doctor’s instructions on resuming sexual activity