Otoplasty
Ears that protrude or appear asymmetrical can often be a source of self-consciousness from a young age. Dr. Noah Sands utilizes his double board-certified expertise to perform otoplasty, a procedure that brings the ears into a more balanced proportion with the rest of the head. By focusing on the structural cartilage and skin, Dr. Sands creates a refreshed profile that looks entirely organic. His academic background at Mount Sinai ensures that every procedure is executed with clinical precision and an eye for timeless aesthetic harmony.
Reshape, reposition, or repair the ears for improved symmetry
General anesthesia or local anesthesia with sedation
Typically one to two hours depending on complexity
One week for initial healing; avoidance of contact sports for six weeks
Otoplasty, often referred to as "ear pinning," is a surgical procedure that alters the shape, position, or size of the ears. This is most commonly performed to address ears that stick out significantly from the sides of the head (prominent ears) or to correct structural irregularities present from birth or caused by trauma.
The procedure focuses on the auricular cartilage, the framework that gives the ear its shape. Dr. Sands uses internal, permanent sutures to reinforce the new cartilage shape and bring the ear closer to the head. Because the incisions are typically hidden in the natural crease behind the ear, the results are discreet and the surgical "footprint" is virtually invisible.
On the day of your surgery at our Beverly Hills facility, Dr. Sands will review the surgical plan to ensure alignment with your aesthetic goals. For children, general anesthesia is typically used to ensure comfort, while adults may opt for local anesthesia with sedation.
Dr. Sands begins by making a small incision behind the ear or within the inner folds to access the cartilage. He then meticulously reshapes the cartilage, removing small amounts as needed, and secures it with internal sutures. For ear lobe repair, the process is even more focused, involving the removal of scar tissue and a precision re-approximation of the skin to restore a smooth, rounded edge. Once the structural work is complete, the incisions are closed with fine sutures, and a protective head dressing is applied.
Ear lobes are susceptible to a variety of injuries, most commonly torn piercings from heavy jewelry or accidental snags. Additionally, patients who have used "gauges" or heavy spacers may find their tissue permanently stretched and unable to return to its original shape on its own.
Dr. Sands performs earlobe repair as an in-office procedure. He carefully removes the healed skin along the tear or the excess tissue from a stretched hole, then uses plastic surgery techniques to stitch the lobe back together. The goal is to recreate a natural, youthful lobe shape that can eventually be re-pierced. This procedure is a safe harbor for those looking to erase the signs of past trauma or aesthetic choices that no longer align with their lifestyle.
Ear surgery is designed to resolve both congenital and acquired irregularities of the ear. By addressing the underlying cartilage and soft tissue, the procedure treats:
The primary benefit of Otoplasty and earlobe repair is the restoration of confidence. For many, protruding or damaged ears can be a focal point of unwanted attention. Surgery provides a permanent solution that allows the ears to disappear back into the overall facial aesthetic. Patients enjoy the freedom to wear their hair back or short without hesitation. Furthermore, ear lobe repair allows for the return to wearing traditional jewelry, restoring both function and form to a delicate area of the face.
Ideal candidates for Otoplasty include children (typically age five or older, once the ear cartilage has stabilized) and adults who are bothered by the size or position of their ears. Candidates should be in good general health and have realistic expectations about the surgical outcome. For earlobe repair, any adult with a tear or significant stretching is a candidate.
Dr. Sands will conduct a thorough analysis during your consultation in Beverly Hills to ensure that the proposed surgical plan honors your unique anatomy.
Recovery from Otoplasty requires a week of dedicated care. For the first few days, you will wear a soft head dressing to protect the ears and maintain their new position. Once this is removed, you may be asked to wear a supportive headband at night for several weeks. Minor swelling and bruising are common but subside quickly. For ear lobe repair, recovery is even simpler, with most patients returning to work immediately and needing only to keep the small sutures clean until they are removed about a week later.
The reward of Otoplasty is a profoundly balanced and harmonious facial profile. Patients can expect their ears to sit closer to the head, with a more natural shape that no longer distracts from their central facial features. Beyond the physical repositioning, the most significant change is often a profound boost in self-esteem and confidence. This freedom allows patients to wear their hair short or pulled back without hesitation, restoring both function and form to the ear area.
The immediate, positive improvements in the ear's position are typically visible as soon as the initial protective dressings are removed, usually within the first week. While minor swelling and slight bruising are common in the early days, these subside quickly. The final, refined shape and contour become fully apparent as residual swelling fades, which can take 6–8 weeks for some patients. Because Otoplasty involves surgically reshaping and permanently securing the underlying cartilage, the results are designed to be long-lasting and are generally considered permanent. The correction to the ear's structure will remain a lasting foundation for your profile, though the ears will continue to age naturally with the rest of the body.
Dr. Noah Sands approaches Otoplasty and earlobe reconstruction with the same attention to detail and surgical rigor that he applies to complex rhinoplasty. As a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, he possesses a profound understanding of the delicate interplay between cartilage memory, skin tension, and aesthetic balance. His decade of academic experience has equipped him with the technical skills to manage even the most challenging structural irregularities of the ear.
Choosing Dr. Sands means choosing a specialist who prioritizes natural-looking symmetry and patient safety above all else. He recognizes that successful ear surgery is not just about repositioning tissue, but about creating a permanent, organic-looking result that restores the patient's confidence. At his Beverly Hills practice, every patient receives a bespoke surgical plan tailored to their unique anatomy, ensuring results that are both beautiful and timeless.
No. Otoplasty addresses only the external structure of the ear (the pinna) and does not involve the ear canal or the internal hearing mechanisms.
Yes. Most patients can safely re-pierce their ears approximately 6 to 12 weeks after the repair, though Dr. Sands recommends placing the new piercing slightly away from the scar tissue for optimal strength.
Children can typically undergo the procedure once their ear cartilage is sufficiently firm and the ear has reached near-adult size, which usually occurs around age five or six.
Yes. The internal sutures and cartilage reshaping provide a permanent correction. While the ears will still age naturally, they will not return to their former protrusion.
Most patients describe the discomfort as a dull ache or throbbing for the first few days, which is easily managed with prescribed or over-the-counter medication.
