Otoplasty Glendale

Otoplasty is a minor procedure that can make a big difference. By setting prominent ears back or reshaping the ear structure, ear surgery offers a lasting, natural-looking improvement, often with minimal downtime.

Otoplasty in Glendale With Dr. John Vartanian

Otoplasty (ear surgery) is designed to change the shape or position of the ear. Dr. John Vartanian offers expert-level otoplasty in Glendale for both children and adults. His goal is always to create natural-looking outcomes that restore confidence and balance to the face. Through a minor surgical procedure, the ears can be set back to a more ideal position. This simple intervention can have a powerful effect on a patient’s self-image, especially when performed early.

What Otoplasty Addresses Benefits of Otoplasty Recovery from Otoplasty Frequently Asked Questions

What Otoplasty Addresses

Children and adults alike can be self-conscious and unhappy about the size and shape of their ears. Prominent, protruding ears can look unnatural and can become subject to public commentary.

By three to four years of age, children begin to recognize differences in their ears from that of their peers. Often, unfortunate remarks like “dumbo ears” or “bat ears” are used to describe prominent ears.

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Early Awareness, Lifelong Impact

At six to ten years of age, these negative descriptions can begin to leave psychological scars. Children and adults with prominent ears may become hypersensitive about their ears and suffer from a poor self-image.

By some estimates, prominent ears affect approximately 5% of Caucasian children, and the percentage is even higher in some ethnic groups. Children are usually born with prominent ears, and often, it’s a familial trait.

The Ideal Age for Ear Surgery in Glendale

It’s best to undergo otoplasty around five to six years of age or older. At this age, the ear has achieved at least 90% of its adult size, and children are more cooperative than at younger ages.

Most importantly, the timing can prevent the damaging effects of cruel social remarks before they begin to take root. Incision lines are well-hidden behind the ears and are essentially invisible once healed.

Adult Ear Surgery Options

For adult patients in Glendale or Burbank, otoplasty can also be performed comfortably in the office under local anesthesia. Most adults can return to work within just a couple of days.

Dr. Vartanian combines several well-established techniques to deliver elegant, natural-looking ear correction. His approach is designed to create lasting harmony, without an obviously operated-on look.

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Benefits of Otoplasty

Prominent ears generally protrude from the head and can often cause an unbalanced appearance. Otoplasty can restore a natural positioning for your ears and help make your facial features look more proportioned.

Any scarring from the incision points will be virtually undetectable, as they are well hidden behind the ears and in the natural creases where the ears meet the sides of the head. The surgery has minimal discomfort and has no effect on hearing.

By age six, ears have generally achieved about 90% of their adult size. If your child has noticeably prominent ears, it is best to have them undergo ear surgery at an early age to avoid the effects of negative social remarks.

During a post-operative consultation, Dr. Vartanian will listen carefully to your goals, and he will select techniques that best meet your aesthetic needs.

The Otoplasty Procedure

Dr. Vartanian will often combine a number of techniques to ensure you achieve optimal results. He generally conducts all incisions behind your ears in an effort to keep them as hidden as possible. For ear pinning, Dr. Vartanian will typically use sutures to pin back the ears. If necessary, cartilage will be extracted to provide an improved shape.

The surgery will take about one to two hours, depending on your specific needs, and can be performed under general anesthesia or in the office. As an outpatient procedure, you will be able to return to your home on the day of your operation.

Recovery from Otoplasty

Children will typically be able to go back to school after about one week, whereas adults can often return to work after a few days. Bruising and swelling in the first few days following the procedure is not uncommon, and any discomfort can be managed with medication. Dr. Vartanian generally recommends that you refrain from physical activity for at least two weeks. Downtime following ear surgery often varies, and Dr. Vartanian will discuss what to expect with you in more detail following your procedure.

Expanded Options Beyond Otoplasty

Dr. Vartanian also offers a range of in-office ear procedures for adults in Glendale and Burbank, including the following:

Torn earlobe repair
Correction of widened earring holes
Reduction of large or elongated earlobes
Wrinkle filling for deflated or creased lobes
Scar correction on or near the earlobe

These procedures can be performed alone or combined with facial aesthetic treatments for a more comprehensive result.

Frequently Asked Questions Otoplasty

Length of procedure?

On average, otoplasty takes about one to two hours.

Who performs the procedure?

Dr. Vartanian performs all surgeries himself.

What should I expect during recovery?

Children can generally return to school after one week, and adults can typically resume their working routines after a few days or less.

What about the results?

Results can be very long-lasting and natural-looking. All incisions are placed behind the ears to conceal any scarring.

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Schedule Your Otoplasty Consultation

To determine if you or your child is a candidate for otoplasty in Glendale, please contact Dr. Vartanian to schedule a consultation. Our friendly staff will answer any of your questions and assist you in any way we can.

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