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Procedures Face Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) in San Diego

Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) in San Diego

Procedures Face Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) in San Diego

At Umansky Plastic Surgery in La Jolla, board-certified plastic surgeons Dr. William Umansky and Dr. Jeffrey Umansky reshape and reposition ears for children and adults. Together, they have decades of experience performing facial procedures with techniques that have been refined over thousands of cosmetic cases in the San Diego area. Whether you have ears that noticeably protrude or you wish to refine their shape and size, our surgeons know how to create facial balance with natural-looking otoplasty results.

What Is Ear Surgery (Otoplasty)?

Otoplasty is cosmetic ear surgery. This procedure can change the size, position and shape of the outer ear by adjusting the cartilage that gives it its structure. Because the cartilage is permanently reshaped and secured, the results of this surgery can last a lifetime Dr. William Umansky and Dr. Jeffrey Umansky customize each plan based on the patient’s anatomy and age.

What Can Otoplasty Correct?

Protruding Ears

Ears that protrude outward more than average from the side of the head are the most common reason patients seek otoplasty. This projection usually traces back to an underdeveloped fold in the upper ear cartilage or an overly deep cartilage bowl near the ear canal. Surgery most often recreates the missing fold and reduces the depth of that bowl so the ear rests flatter against the head.

Overly Large Ears

When ears are disproportionately large for the face, a condition called macrotia, the outer rim and surrounding cartilage can be trimmed and reshaped. Ear reduction surgery removes sections of skin and cartilage, then rebuilds the rim so the edge looks smooth and natural. The goal is an ear sized in proportion to the rest of the head and facial features.

Ear Lobe Concerns

Ear lobe surgery reshapes lobes that are unusually large, stretched from heavy earrings, altered due to gauges or split from an injury. Correcting these structural differences restores a more typical ear lobe shape.

Dissatisfaction With Previous Ear Surgery

Patients who had otoplasty elsewhere sometimes find their ears have lost correction or have asymmetry. Revision work is more demanding because scar tissue and altered cartilage limit how the ear can be reshaped. Dr. William Umansky and Dr. Jeffrey Umansky study the earlier result, then plan a correction that helps to rebalance the two ears.

Ears That Cause Self-Consciousness in Children

Prominent ears frequently become a source of teasing once a child starts school, which can affect confidence during formative years. Because ear cartilage growth is largely done by age 5-7, surgery is safe at this stage and produces a stable result without interfering with growth.

Woman with elegant makeup and updo hairstyle touching her chin, posing against a plain grey background—capturing confidence and grace, reminiscent of otoplasty transformation in San Diego.

Am I a Candidate for Ear Surgery?

Children are usually ready once their ear cartilage has matured, generally around age five or six, since operating earlier risks disrupting growth. Adults face no upper age limit as long as they are able to safely undergo anesthesia and the recovery process. Good candidates tend to share these traits:

General good health without conditions that slow wound healing
No active infection or skin disease near the ear area
Nonsmokers, or a willingness to stop for several weeks around surgery
Realistic expectations about symmetry, since no two ears are perfectly identical

During your consultation in La Jolla, Dr. William Umansky or Dr. Jeffrey Umansky measures the ears, checks cartilage firmness and reviews your medical history to confirm the procedure suits you.

Types of Otoplasty

Ear Setback

Ear setback or “pinning” brings the ears closer to the head. Using sutures placed on the back of the cartilage, the surgeon draws the ear inward and fixes it at a natural angle while also creating the normal folding of the cartilage of the ear. It is the most common otoplasty technique.

Ear Reduction

Ear reduction makes large ears smaller and better proportioned. The surgeon removes measured wedges of cartilage and skin from the outer rim or the earlobe, then resets the tissue so the edge stays smooth and rounded.

Ear Reconstruction

Ear augmentation adds structure to ears that are underdeveloped or missing parts of their framework, often from a condition present at birth. Rather than removing tissue, the surgeon builds the ear up using cartilage grafts, commonly borrowed from the rib or the opposite ear, to create a rim and contours where they were absent. This is not a procedure performed at Umansky Plastic Surgery.

Ear Molding

Ear molding is a nonsurgical option available only to newborns. In the first weeks of life, an infant’s ear cartilage is soft and can be reshaped with a small splint worn for several weeks, correcting folds or prominence without an incision. The window closes quickly, so parents who notice an irregular ear shape benefit from an early evaluation.

Before & After
Gallery

How to Prepare for Otoplasty

Once your surgery date is set, you will be given written preoperative instructions specific to your situation and the planned procedure. You will likely be asked to pause certain medications or supplements that thin the blood, such as aspirin or anti-inflammatories, for around two weeks beforehand, since these raise the risk of bruising.

Smokers are asked to stop well ahead of surgery to avoid constricting blood supply and slowing the healing of incisions behind the ear. During the preparation period, you should also plan the appropriate amount of time off from work and physical activities.

What to Expect During Ear Surgery

Otoplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure at our accredited surgical facility in La Jolla, meaning you will be able to go home the same day. We choose anesthesia based on the patient. Children almost always receive general anesthesia, which keeps them fully asleep and makes the experience easier to perform. Adults may choose general anesthesia or local anesthesia, and your surgeon will discuss which option may fit you best.

For most otoplasty procedures, your surgeon will place incisions in the crease behind the ear, where the resulting scar will stay hidden. Through this approach, your surgeon will remove or score small portions of cartilage, then place permanent internal sutures that hold the reshaped fold in place. Dr. Umansky will treat both ears in one session to make sure they match. After closing your incisions, you will have a bandage placed around your head to cushion and protect your ears.

Ear Surgery Recovery and Aftercare

Your head dressing will need to stay in place overnight to keep the ears stable and reduce swelling. Once it comes off, you will be able to switch to a lighter headband worn with your surgeon recommending a schedule for use. You will have some discomfort in the first day or two, but this is easily managed with pain medications. Swelling, bruising, and areas of numbness are normal in the early stages of healing.

Adults typically return to work within three to five days. Children can go back to school in about a week. Contact sports will need to be avoided for four to six weeks. Early in the postoperative period, the best position for sleep is upright on your back, since it will prevent pressure on the healing cartilage.

What to Expect From Otoplasty Results

The change in ear position will be visible as soon as the surgeon removes the dressing, but swelling will initially hide the fine contour for a few weeks. The correction is usually permanent, and the scars will be placed so they are not noticeable once healed. You can review our otoplasty before and after photos for a closer look at former patients who may have a similar case to yours to see what you can expect.

Can I Combine Ear Surgery With Other Procedures?

Facelift: A facelift tightens loose skin and repositions tissue across the lower face and neck, addressing the sagging and jowls that come with age. Combining it with ear surgery refines the profile from the jawline up to the ear in one operation.
Eyelid Surgery: Eyelid surgery, or blepharoplasty, removes excess skin and puffiness from the upper or lower lids that make the eyes look tired. Pairing it with otoplasty brightens the eye area while the ears settle into their new position.
Brow Lift: A brow lift raises a heavy or low brow that can cause a stern or fatigued expression, opening up the upper third of the face.
Rhinoplasty: Rhinoplasty reshapes the size or contour of the nose so it is proportional to the ears and other features.

How Much Does Otoplasty Cost in La Jolla, CA?

The price of ear surgery depends on the complexity of the correction, whether one or both ears are treated, the anesthesia used and the surgical facility time required. Because every ear differs, a quote is given after Dr. William Umansky or Dr. Jeffrey Umansky examines you and creates the surgical plan during your consultation.

Why Choose Umansky Plastic Surgery for Otoplasty in San Diego?

Dr. William Umansky and Dr. Jeffrey Umansky are board-certified plastic surgeons who have each completed advanced training in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery, including fellowship work focused on the face. Together they have performed facial procedures across the San Diego area for decades, and they have a deep familiarity with all of the variations that make each ear unique.

The practice has its own accredited operating room in the UTC area of La Jolla, where you will be treated in a more comfortable and private setting rather than a hospital.

Otoplasty FAQs

At what age can a child have ear surgery?

Most surgeons wait to operate once a child reaches age 5 or older, because ear cartilage has nearly finished growing by then and the correction stays stable. Treating the ears at this age also lets a child begin school without prominent ears drawing comments. There is no maximum age for otoplasty.

Is otoplasty painful?

Patients feel little during surgery because the area is fully numbed or they are asleep. Afterward, most describe soreness and a tight sensation. The protective headband can sometimes feel snug but is not generally painful.

Will otoplasty leave visible scars?

The main incision sits in the fold behind the ear, so any scar is hidden behind the ear. When a front incision is needed, it is placed inside a natural crease to conceal it.

Are otoplasty results permanent?

Yes. The reshaped cartilage is held with permanent internal sutures, so the ears generally keep their new position for life. Otoplasty does not need repeating, although on rare occasions, some patients will lose some of their correction from disruption of a suture. Revisions can be performed in these cases.

Can adults get ear pinning surgery?

Adults of any age can have their ears pinned back as long as they are in good health. Adult cartilage is firmer than a child’s, which can make it slightly more resistant to reshaping. Nice improvement can still generally be achieved.

How long does the procedure take?

A typical otoplasty takes about two to three hours, depending on whether one or both ears are corrected and how much reshaping is involved.

Schedule Your Ear Surgery Consultation in La Jolla, CA

To find out whether otoplasty fits you or your child’s goals, schedule a consultation with Dr. William Umansky or Dr. Jeffrey Umansky at Umansky Plastic Surgery in La Jolla. During the visit, your surgeon will provide a full consultation, explain the recommended technique and provide a written quote. Call 858-281-4560 to book, or complete our contact form and a team member will return your call at a convenient time. Patients traveling from outside San Diego can ask about arrangements for out-of-town care during the same call.