Ear plastic surgery refers to making structural changes to the skin and often cartilage of the outer (external) ear. It is a type of cosmetic ear surgery that focuses on form and function. Other types of ear surgery may address deeper structures of the ears, more involved in hearing.
Procedure can be cosmetic and reconstructive in nature. The complexity of surgery can span from a simple skin removal or rearrangement to a complete ear reconstruction using other parts of the body.
The outer ears play an important role in both harmonizing the face and serving as a support for glasses and earrings. The external ear also serves as a funnel that helps channel sound into the inner parts of the ear responsible for hearing. Some people are born with misshapen ears while others acquire it through trauma, cancer, infections, and other means.
Dr. Gary Linkov is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon in Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Dr. Linkov performs ear plastic surgery and has extensive experience treating all conditions of the ear. He is the Chief of Otolaryngology and Facial Plastic Surgery for the Veterans Hospital in Brooklyn, NY, where he operates on complex ear deformities, serving our country’s veterans. Dr. Linkov’s private practice in UES, Manhattan focuses on aesthetic facial plastic surgery, including ear surgery.
You can view Dr.Linkov’s otoplasty before and after photos below:
An otoplasty ear pinning surgery was performed to better define the ears and to set them back closer to the head.
This young man wanted an otoplasty (ear pinning) procedure to bring his ears closer to his head and restore his confidence.
This beautiful patient presented with prominent ears. An otoplasty was performed on both sides to realign her ears in a more natural way.
This incredible woman woke up one morning with a torn ear lobe. With 1 week remaining before a cruise she scrambled to find someone who could correct it. At 4 weeks she looks amazing and will continue to heal nicely.
There are a few different deformities of the ear that make someone a candidate for ear cosmetic surgery, including:
Here is what other Patients had to say about City Facial Plastics
I had a torn ear lobe. His treatment was excellent. I had no problems and no pain after the stitching of my ear lobe. To me he did an excellent job on my ear lobe. I thank him very much for that. I recommend anyone to him for treatments.
★★★★★ Margaret PetersAdolescent and adult patients are often treated in an office procedure room or an accredited surgical suite. Local anesthesia is used to eliminate pain during the ear surgery procedure. Oral sedation or deep sedation can also be used depending on patient and surgeon preference.
The general steps of ear surgery include:
Here are highlights of some important aspects of several ear plastic surgeries:
Once you have decided to undergo ear surgery, the best-rated plastic surgeon in Manhattan, NY City Dr. Linkov will discuss in detail how to prepare for your procedure. There are a few steps you should take before your procedure in order to get the best results.
These steps include:
If the procedure is to be performed in an office setting, you will take the prescribed medications in the office just prior to surgery as instructed by Dr. Linkov. Ear surgery is generally performed under local anesthesia so pain will be minimal, if any, during your procedure. Each ear plastic surgery takes a different amount of time to perform, ranging from 30 minutes or less per ear for an ear lobe surgery to several hours per ear for a more complex ear reconstruction.
After the ear surgery and before you leave the office, antibiotic ointment is applied to the incision lines and sometimes a secure bandage will be applied around the ears. Bruising and swelling are expected for 1-2 weeks. The skin sutures may be removable or dissolvable, depending on surgeon preference and your skin type. Avoid scratching or manipulating your ears for 2 weeks following surgery and strenuous activities and contact sports for 3 weeks.
The risks and complications of ear surgery include:
Ear surgery can reshape the ear for cosmetic and reconstructive purposes. People are very thankful once the appearance of their ears is improved or restored. After this type of surgery, once the area has healed, people can wear their hair back without worries and can wear their favorite earrings again.
Ear surgery can reshape the ear for cosmetic and reconstructive purposes. People are very thankful once the appearance of their ears is improved or restored. After this type of surgery, once the area has healed, people can wear their hair back without worries and can wear their favorite earrings again.
click to see Our Patients FeedbackIf the ear surgery is done for cosmetic purposes only (such as an earlobe repair) then insurance will not cover the procedure. If the ear plastic surgery is part of a procedure that addresses a congenital abnormality, a cancer defect, or a result of trauma then it may be covered. Consult with your insurance carrier first. Keep in mind that some surgeons do not accept in-network insurance. Financing options are often offered if you need to pay out-of-pocket.
Here is what other Patients had to say about City Facial Plastic
Dr. Linkov is the best!!! He is extremely professional and knowledgeable!!! I recommend Dr. Linkov 100%.
★★★★★
Dr. Linkov is double board-certified by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery. A native of New York, Dr. Linkov graduated as a salutatorian from Cornell University and received his Medical Degree at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons. Dr. Linkov conducted advanced head and neck cancer research at the world-renowned Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Linkov is a former Adjunct Assistant Professor at New York University (NYU), where he taught Rhinoplasty.
Dr. Linkov is a top-rated facial plastic surgeon in New York who specializes in lip lift and hair transplant surgery. He has been named one of the top 5 lip lift surgeons in the United States, is listed in the prestigious SuperDoctors New York™ registry, and has appeared on the Dr. Oz Show, where he discussed the state-of-the-art hair transplantation procedure.
