Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Cosmetic Ear Surgery - Things You Need to Know

Cosmetic ear surgery, also called otoplasty, is a procedure designed to improve and enhance the external appearance of large or protruding ears. Are you a candidate for ear operation? How do you prepare for the operation and what's involved?

What are the risks and complications? What is involved in the recovery period? How much does it cost and how can you finance it? How do you ensure you find a good doctor?

This type of process has become very popular with men and children between the ages of 4 and 14. The ears are usually fully developed by age 4 and about 85% of their adult size by age 8. Earlier operations are often better for children.

How do you prepare for the operation and what's involved? Your surgeon should go over all risks, procedures and alternatives at the initial consultation. Since this type of method usually involves some type of sedation, the patient usually isn't allowed to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the method.

What are the risks and complications? The method is generally extremely safe and complications are very rare. However, as with any surgical method, there is always the potential risk of infection, over-correction or altered healing.

Side effects of the operation include post-op pain, numbness, and itching. Your doctor will usually prescribe medication to relieve these minimal side effects.

What is involved in the recovery period? Plastic surgery procedures typically involve lengthy recovery periods. However, cosmetic method is usually much shorter and may only take up to six weeks.

Children generally require a week at home before going back to school, but adult patients may resume their normal routine within a few days. The results of the process are immediately visible once the bandages are removed.

How much does it cost and how can you finance it? Otoplasty can range from $2,000 to $5,000 depending on the difficulty of the patient's condition and experience of the doctor. There are a large number of financing options available.

How do you ensure you find a good doctor? When shopping for a surgeon, try to find out information about the extent of their experience, positive (and negative) results, and willingness to work with you and provide personal attention.

It is possible to choose a doctor that is a specialist in this ear operation process, but that isn't always necessary. Many general plastic surgeons may offer the same procedure.

By : A_Aaronson

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