From bullying during infancy to discrimination in the later years, the emotional toll that having protruding or oddly shaped ears cannot be downplayed. That is why ear surgery, also known as otoplasty, has helped countless people in the United States get their confidence back. However, making the decision to get corrective surgery presents candidates with many questions, which our otoplasty specialist, Dr. Joseph Fodero, at Morris County’s Northeastern Plastic Surgery, is tackling in this article.
👂 To Get an Otoplasty or Not to Get It—That Is the Question
If you are here, you may be toying with the idea of getting ear surgery—or your child getting it. Whether it is to address protruding, asymmetrical, or congenitally deformed ears, the expectation is to see results that will produce an ear-to-ear smile. But along with that hope often comes a swirl of questions and concerns: Will it hurt? Are the results natural-looking, or will my ears look “pinned back”? Is my child too young to make this decision? What about the scars—will everyone notice?
Before you make this important decision, Dr. Fodero, otoplasty specialist, is separating fact from fiction and debunks the most common myths surrounding ear surgery in Morris County so you can move forward with confidence and clarity.
Debunking Myths Surrounding Ear Surgery
1️⃣ All Ear Surgeries Are the Same
Otoplasty is the umbrella term to refer to a group of ear surgeries, each treating a different concern. Depending on your specific goals, you may go for:
- Ear augmentation, if your ears have not fully developed. Typically, tissue grafting is used to increase the outer portion of your ear.
- Ear pinning. If your ears are too prominent, pinning them back can bring them in closer to the sides of your head.
👂 Check out our real-patient ear pinning surgery results here.
- Ear reduction. For those with ears that are loo large, a surgeon can reduce their size.
- Earlobe repair. If your can’t wear your favorite pair of earrings anymore due to an enlarged or torn lobe, Dr. Fodero can give your lobes their pristine look back.
Ear Pinning
Before & After
2️⃣ Otoplasty Will Affect Your Hearing
No cosmetic ear surgery affects the hearing system, as they are only concerned with outer appearance. However, a study has shown that, by changing the position, ear pinning surgery might slightly reduce hearing ability in noisy environments. This is because ears that stick out more act like bigger “sound collectors”—they catch more sound from the front and block more noise from behind, making it easier to hear what’s in front of you. The change, though, might be so small you wouldn’t really notice.
3️⃣ Recovery Is Long and Painful
Depending on the kind of correction needed, techniques vary. The specific methodology Dr. Fodero chooses will determine the location of the incisions and the resulting—minimal— scars. The procedure usually takes between one and two hours and recovery is fairly quick, so you’ll be able to get back to your everyday activities before you know it.
4️⃣ It’s for Children
Since the cartilage is easier to mold during infancy, a common belief is that otoplasty is only performed in children. However, both adult men and women get the procedure and see excellent results as well. In fact, in the last two years, around 10,000 otoplasties were performed on adults.
🥼 Learn more about surgery: Modern Plastic Surgery: The Technology Behind It
5️⃣ Ear Surgery Is a High-Risk Procedure
All surgeries are invasive procedures that carry risks, but in the right hands, those considerably diminish. In the case of otoplasty, the risks entailed include:
- Minimal scarring, which Dr. Fodero skillfully hides.
- Asymmetry, if the healing process suffers any changes.
- Bleeding, which is considered normal.
Be your body’s advocate. As with any medical procedure, speak to Dr. Fodero to find out if otoplasty is right for you.
Common Questions About Ear Surgery
Where can I find an otoplasty specialist in Morris County, New Jersey?
If you live in Morris County, Northeastern Plastic Surgery is ideally positioned to serve not only Florham Park residents but also families from surrounding communities including Madison, Chatham, Morristown, East Hanover, Livingston, and Millburn. Dr. Fodero, otoplasty specialist and lead surgeon, has over twenty years of experience and was named one of the Top Plastic Surgeons in New Jersey.
“One of the challenges of Aesthetic Surgery is to do the right thing all the time. I think plastic surgeons and people in aesthetic medicine in general are under pressure to do all kinds of things. People come in with preconceived ideas as to what they want to have done. It’s important for me to educate those patients and to offer them procedures and treatments that I think are most beneficial to them.” —Dr. Joseph Fodero
📺 Hear it from the doctor himself
My earlobes have been stretched, can I repair them?
If you are struggling with keloid scars in your earlobe, overly large lobes, gauged or stretched holes (often from heavy piercings), asymmetrical or split lobes, Dr. Fodero can lend you his ear—and his hands—to give you your pristine lobes back.
Find the Best Otoplasty Specialist in Morris County
Ready for your close-up? At Northeastern Plastic Surgery, Dr. Fodero’s team will take time to listen to you and help you become the best version of yourself. Book a confidential one-on-one appointment and learn more about how you can feel great in your own skin. Call or contact our New Jersey practice in Florham Park, Morris County, to schedule your appointment today.