Otoplasty
Perhaps the most common cosmetic procedure performed on children is otoplasty. Otoplasty surgery can correct a number of ear deformities such as protruding ears, ears without creases and ears that bend unnaturally. Otoplasty is also performed on people who have birth defects or lost part of an ear due to injury.
Children are not the only ones to have the otoplasty. Adults may go through the surgery for a variety of reasons as well. Whether you have a Georgia otoplasty, North Carolina otoplasty or an otoplasty in Atlanta, you can pretty much bet that the procedures will be similar no matter where it is performed. Of course, the deformity or problem will dictate exactly what the cosmetic surgeon will do.
Look to otoplasty pictures to decide if the procedure is right for you or your child. There are really no otoplasty alternatives that would permanently fix the problem. The price of otoplasty can vary from case to case. And while some procedures are considered purely cosmetic, insurance may cover the otoplasty cost if the surgery was for special medical reasons. Some surgeons will work with you on the otoplasty costs, especially if it will improve your lifestyle for the better.
When you look at otoplasty pictures, ask your doctor how he believes your ears will look after the surgery. They can often create computer images of the probable look they hope to achieve. If surgery on your ears makes you nervous, you can participate in an otoplasty chat at various different plastic surgery websites. You can garner some great information as to cost, recovery time and results.
One thing you might read during your chats is a procedure called laser otoplasty. The surgery is the same, only instead of using a scalpel to make incisions, a laser is used. It’s less invasive and there is less pain and blood to contend with. The recovery from otoplasty is less with the laser technique as well.
Be sure to ask about all of your options before you or your child goes in for otoplasty. There are some risks of otoplasty for children just as there are for adults. There may be some numbness, headaches, swelling, blood clotting and even scar tissue. However, all surgeons strive to minimize the scarring and in fact, take great pains to ensure that any type of scarring is not readily visible. And if a child is the one going through the otoplasty, the good news is that any type of scarring will fade with time and most likely won’t be noticed within a year or two.