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Ears may not be the first body part you think of when you hear, “Plastic Surgery,” but for many near San Francisco, Cosmetic Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) is a welcome relief. The most common reason for Cosmetic Ear Surgery or Otoplasty is the correction of prominent ears. Also called ear pinning, a common otoplasty procedure involves reducing the appearance of prominent ears.

What Makes an Ear Prominent?

There are three main causes of Prominent Ears. The most common is incomplete folding of the outer ear. One of the last folds to form, during the development of the ear, is the fold halfway between the ear’s opening and the outer edge of the ear (the helix). This fold bends the ear back towards the side of the head, and when it is absent or incomplete, the ear sticks out. This can be corrected by surgically forming the appropriate fold.

The second most common cause of Prominent Ears is large conchas. The concha is the central bell of the ear that catches sound. A disproportionately large concha can be reduced in size during an outpatient otoplasty. A large concha is often associated with the third most common cause of prominent ears, rotation of the concha forward. Rotating the ear posteriorly (backward) at the time of reduction completes the formation of a more cosmetically pleasing ear.

Other Cosmetic Ear Surgeries

There are other reasons for Cosmetic Ear Surgery, and correction of both congenital and acquired ear deformities is common. Other correctable deformities include:

KRON4 Body Beautiful Television Otoplasty Presentation

Last month, I had the opportunity to discuss some of the ways to improve the appearance of the ears with cosmetic surgery on KRON4’s Body Beautiful. The show is broadcast live and gives San Francisco Bay Area viewers the opportunity to call in and ask questions. The (415) number used during the video was for the live show. If you have Otoplasty Questions call my Walnut Creek Plastic Surgery office directly at (925) 943-6353.

Otoplasty and Other Cosmetic Ear Surgeries

Otoplasty (Cosmetic Ear Surgery) Frequently Asked Questions

The Otoplasty Video above includes discussion of many of the most common Cosmetic Ear Surgeries. Some of the Frequently Asked Cosmetic Ear Surgery Questions answered include:

Otoplasty Question?

If you have Otoplasty Questions, don’t miss the Otoplasty page on DrMele.com. For more personalized information, give my San Francisco Bay Area Plastic Surgery office a call at (925) 943-6353 and schedule a private consultation. The Otoplasty procedure that is best for you can only be determined after an in-person consultation. Your questions will be answered in detail, so that you can make a truly informed decision whether Otoplasty is the right procedure for you.

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