Many adults choose otoplasty to correct prominent ears, improve symmetry, and feel less self-conscious about their appearance. If you have been thinking about ear surgery for years, adult otoplasty can still offer natural-looking, long-lasting improvement.
Five Things To Know About Otoplasty as an Adult
Adults considering otoplasty often have questions about ear pinning candidacy, recovery, scarring, and whether the procedure is still worth doing later in life.
Can Adults Be Good Candidates for Otoplasty?
Yes, adults can be excellent candidates for otoplasty. Many adult patients choose ear surgery to address prominent ears, asymmetry, or long-standing cosmetic concerns.
How Long Does Ear Pinning Take?
Ear pinning usually takes a few hours, depending on the extent of the correction being made. If Dr. Ortiz is only repairing the earlobe, the procedure can be much faster.
What Is Recovery Like?
Healing from otoplasty is often fairly quick and simple. After the procedure is complete, you’ll have a compression headband to wear to help reduce any swelling and bruising while also protecting your ears. After 24 to 48 hours, a simple “sweat” band or headband can be worn to protect the ears for a set period of time.
While a bit of bruising and swelling is common, the incisions will be bandaged to protect the area. Discomfort and mild soreness for a day or so after the procedure is also to be expected, and mild itching as the incisions heal is also normal. Once the bandages are removed, you’ll see immediate, permanent results.
How Is Otoplasty Performed?
Dr. Ortiz makes a small incision in the natural fold behind the ear and removes excess cartilage and skin. He then repositions and reduces the ears’ shape and size. Once this is complete, he closes the incisions with a few stitches.
Is Scarring Visible?
Scarring after otoplasty is usually minimal and well hidden behind the ear. Because the incisions are typically placed within the natural fold behind the ear, scars are rarely noticeable once healing is complete. This is especially helpful for patients who may want to keep their plastic surgery private.
Adult Otoplasty FAQ
Is it too late to get ear pinning as an adult?
No. Adults can still benefit from ear pinning or other cosmetic ear surgery. While the procedure is more commonly performed in children, more and more adults are choosing to undergo it.
How long is recovery after adult otoplasty?
Recovery after adult otoplasty usually involves about 1 to 2 weeks of early healing, with swelling, bruising, and mild soreness improving during that time. You will also need to wear a protective headband as directed during recovery.
Will adult otoplasty leave visible scars?
Scars are usually well hidden behind the ear, where they are difficult to notice once healing is complete.
Schedule a Consultation To Discuss Otoplasty in Raleigh
If you are unhappy with the look of your ears and would like to make them less prominent or have the damage repaired, we can help. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Juan Ortiz at North Raleigh Plastic Surgery to learn whether this procedure is right for you. Call us at (919) 532-2270 or fill out our contact form below to get started.
This blog post was originally written in July 2024 and has been updated for 2026.
