5 Common Stereotypes and Myths About Otoplasty

Plastic surgery has existed for more than a hundred years but for many people, it still remains one of the most mysterious branches of medicine. Many people would like to have plastic surgery but the abundance of speculation and rumors often becomes an obstacle. In this article, we will debunk the most popular myths about otoplasty.

1. Otoplasty Can Be Done Only on Adults
   Сhildren who are shown otoplasty often become clients of a plastic surgeon. Sometimes small patients have congenital abnormalities in the formation of the auricle, so-called microtia of varying degrees. Some babies are born with small or missing ears. In such cases, the formation of a new shell is required. This occurs due to a graft of skin and cartilage. Lop-eared can also be eliminated in childhood.
   Artificial implants are used, including the most advanced ones which are printed on a 3D printer from biomaterial.

2. Ear Surgery Is Used Only for the Correction of Deafness
   Deafness is a disadvantage that does not affect the quality of hearing but can significantly reduce the quality of life. People with protruding ears are often embarrassed by their shape, try to wear special hats and haircuts. In addition to deafness, there are other disorders in the shape of the auricle. There are pointed forms or underdeveloped shells (usually this is associated with a weak manifestation of microtia) or the loss of its original shape after an injury.
   Otoplasty can remove all these shortcomings, form beautiful auricles and help you forever forget about constraint and ridicule.

3. Plastic Surgery Requires Hospitalization
   People are accustomed to believing that any surgical intervention is a long, difficult procedure, which is preceded by serious preparation. Most people do not imagine how they will find a few months in their work schedule for this. But it turns out that most plastic surgeries are performed on an outpatient basis and with the use of local anesthesia. This means that the client can leave the clinic within a few hours after the procedure.
   Otoplasty, like any other operation, requires a mandatory examination. If the clinic is located on the basis of a multidisciplinary hospital, then all these processes are greatly simplified and take only a day or two. As a result, a couple of days after the first consultation, the client can set the date of the operation.
   The rehabilitation period after otoplasty is several weeks but activity is limited only to the first few days. You can return to work after 2-3 weeks following otoplasty.

4. Otoplasty Affects the Sensitivity and Color of the Auricles
   One of the possible side effects of otoplasty is a temporary loss of sensitivity. After a few weeks, it is restored in full. As for the color of the auricles, it remains natural. At first, the side effects of any surgical intervention are swelling of the tissues and the ears may be more pink than usual. After 2-3 weeks, the color returns to natural.

5. Otoplasty Is Very Expensive
   Otoplasty is one of the most popular operations. Last but not least due to its financial availability. You may ask the surgeon during the first consultation about the exact cost of otoplasty. Then there is the opportunity to make a forecast about how to change the shape of the ear after surgery. To take a look at how ears will look after the operation, computer modeling is used according to the patient’s photo (sometimes even with a 3D effect).