What Is Otoplasty (Ear Surgery)? Costs, Benefits and What To Expect

Otoplasty (or ear pinning) is a type of cosmetic surgery that reshapes your ears. Many people love the results and believe the cost and recovery time are worthwhile. This guide will walk you through how the surgery works and what to expect.

What Is Otoplasty (Ear Surgery)?

Otoplasty (often referred to as ear pinning surgery) is a procedure that changes the shape of your ears.¹ It's typically recommended for people who feel their ears are misshapen, have missing cartilage, protrude too much or are too small.

There are three main types of otoplasty:¹

• Ear pinning surgery to reshape ears that may stick out
• Ear reduction for oversized ears
• Ear augmentation for ears that are too small or misshapen

Patients should be at least 5 years old before getting otoplasty to ensure their earlobes are fully developed.²

How it works

Although this is an outpatient procedure, you'll still be given either general anesthesia to knock you out completely or local anesthesia with a sedative.¹ Expect the surgery to last about one to three hours.²

During the ear surgery, your doctor will make an incision on the back or in the folds of your ear; add or remove tissue to reshape it; and stitch your incision closed.¹ If you're getting an ear pinning, the cartilage that causes your ears to stick out will be removed to create a sharper fold.³

With ear pinning, even if you feel that only one ear is misshapen, your doctor will likely still want to do a bilateral surgery on both ears.³ This helps ensure your ears are symmetrical.

How Much Does Otoplasty Cost?

The average cost for otoplasty is about $3,736, not including other expenses like hospital fees or anesthesia, and can vary depending on where you live.⁴

In the Midwest, for example, the total price can range from $4,000 to $8,000.⁵ Other factors, such as the surgeon's experience and even the type of anesthesia used, can affect the cost.⁶

Does Health Insurance Cover the Cost of Otoplasty?

Unfortunately, health insurance usually won't cover ear pinning surgery because it's viewed as elective.⁴ If the surgery is necessary to help with hearing loss, then it might be covered.

Despite the price of otoplasty, most people believe the benefits make it worthwhile.⁶ The good news is that there are still many ways to finance the surgery, such as with a CareCredit credit card.*

Benefits of Otoplasty

Otoplasty is designed to help permanently improve the appearance of your ears.¹ One of the main benefits is increasing your self-confidence and your overall sense of well-being.³ In fact, the reason this safe surgery is often performed on children is because of how pronounced these benefits can be.⁶

Preparing for Otoplasty

If you're interested in otoplasty, you'll want to know what to expect.

First, you'll meet with a plastic surgeon for a consultation, where you'll go over your full medical history.² Your doctor will also examine your ears and take measurements and photos. You'll talk about the risks and costs, along with what to expect. The risks are rare and similar to other surgeries, and can include infection, pain, reactions to the anesthesia, numbness, bleeding or an allergic reaction.¹

After your consultation, your ear pinning surgery will be scheduled and your doctor will provide you with everything you need to know to prepare.³ You may be asked to stop taking any medication that could increase your risk of bleeding, such as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs), along with certain supplements.¹ You may also be asked to stop smoking, since it can slow down healing.⁷

Remember that because you'll be sedated, you'll need to arrange for a family member or friend to drive you to the surgery and take you home after.¹

Recovering From Otoplasty

Full recovery from otoplasty can take six to eight weeks, and you'll need to visit your doctor regularly for follow-ups.¹ However, you can usually go back to work after just five to seven days.⁶

You'll start out with a dressing on your ears that needs to stay dry and clean.¹ Your ears may feel sore, itchy or numb, and you will likely have some bruising and swelling.³ To protect your ears, you can only sleep on your back and you shouldn't wear clothes that have to be pulled over your head.¹

After a few days, your doctor will remove your bandages.⁷ You may need to wear a headband to protect your ears at night for another four to six weeks.³ In some situations, you may still have a light bandage beneath your headband, or you may need to wear your headband all day. It depends on your individual situation.

Your doctor will give you pain medication to help your recovery, but it's important to communicate frequently if the medication isn't helping or if you feel worse despite it.⁷

As far as returning to your normal activities, you'll need to be patient. You can typically swim after your wounds have fully healed in about three weeks.⁸ Light exercise can begin in about two weeks, though you can start walking right away.

Remember that these are all just guidelines. The most important thing is to ask your surgeon and follow their postsurgical instructions closely.

Can You Get Revisions After Your Otoplasty?

Once your bandages are removed, you'll be able to immediately see the results of your ear pinning surgery, even though you're not yet fully healed.⁷ However, it may take about six months to see the final outcome.⁶

If you're not happy with your otoplasty, your doctor may want you to wait six months to a year before getting a revision, so your cartilage can fully stabilize.⁶ At that point, you and your surgeon can decide if revision surgery is a good idea. But most people who get this surgery are thrilled with the results.

Otoplasty is a safe, low-risk surgery that can help if you're unhappy with the appearance of your ears. If you're interested, research your options carefully and seek a consultation with a surgeon near you. Many people believe the cost and recovery are worth the confidence they get from the procedure.

Financing for Otoplasty with the CareCredit Credit Card

Ready to revitalize your appearance and boost your confidence? The CareCredit credit card makes it easy to pay for otoplasty and related expenses not covered by health insurance.* Apply today and use our Acceptance Locator to find a doctor or cosmetic surgeon near you that accepts CareCredit so you can stop dreaming and start living your best life. Continue your wellness journey by downloading the CareCredit Mobile App to manage your CareCredit account, find a provider on the go, and easily access the Well U hub for more great articles, podcasts, and videos.

Author Bio

Stephanie Dwilson specializes in science journalism, breaking news, and animal health and is a business owner, non-practicing attorney, and writer.