What is an otoplasty or ear reshaping, how is it done, is it effective Otoplasty refers to any procedure to reshape the ears. There are various techniques used to achieve this goal. An incision can be made behind the ear and sutures placed in the cartilage to reshape the ear. The cartilage can be incised or abraded to change the shape of the ear. This procedure is used for ears that are very prominent. The ear may be larger than normal but more often only appears prominent due to loss of some cartilage folding and a deeper central part of the ear (conchal bowl). An otoplasty reshapes the ear. It can be performed in a variety of methods ranging from incisions on the back of the ear to limited incisions in the front of the ear. Cartilage can be abraded, cut or sutured to recreate natural folds. The procedure may include a suture to decrease the distance from the ear to the side of the skull. It does not commonly result in major changes to the external canal which is responsible for allowing ear plugs or hearing aids to fit and any changes to the shape of the ear are unlikely to affect how headphones are worn. Ear reshaping is commonly performed on children around age four or five. This is a good time before classmates begin to notice the prominent ears which can lead to ridicule with the potential for psychological trauma. The procedure is also done on adults to correct similar deformities at any age. The procedure is usually very successful in repositioning the ear cartilage into a more favorable position and improving the aesthetic appearance of the ear. After surgery post op pain is usually mild, but not uncommon There are various techniques for the procedure of ear reshaping and it is best to discuss whether or not this procedure is right for you with the facial plastic surgeon.

Dermal cosmetic fillers have exploded in the field of cosmetic facial plastic surgery. Choosing the right filler and understanding the fillers is a complicated task, with new fillers arriving on the scene all the time.

How to choose a facial plastic surgeon Choosing a surgeon for facial plastic surgery can be a very difficult process. The internet has afforded the patient a myriad of choice to find a surgeon. However the patient is often confronted with an overwhelming amount of information. It may be difficult to filter conflicting reports and make a decision. A surgeon’s website may post a myriad of qualifications, beautiful before/after photos and great testimonials. These can all be misleading. How do I know what to believe and choose the best surgeon to perform my procedure? Word of mouth is one good place to start. If someone has had a procedure and been satisfied this is a good person to put on your list. If you have interacted with a surgeon and find that person fulfills your vision of a “good surgeon” this is also a good start. The appearance of a website is important in the sense that it should be professional. The most attractive website does not mean that the surgeon is the most suitable for you. Experience, training, integrity and a commitment to excellence are the most important qualities of the facial plastic surgeon. The most important and the most difficult to assess is a commitment to excellence. If the surgeon is dedicated to constant improvement, over time that surgeon will have consistently superior results. Integrity and honesty are important since not all surgeons do all procedures and it is important for a surgeon to state that they do not do something, and refer the patient to someone else. It is important to avoid a surgeon who will any and all cases. A good approach is to begin by comparing surgeons using characteristics of their practice that are hard to embellish or modify. How many years has the surgeon been in practice? This is easily searched from the governing body of the State (USA) or Province (Canada). Does the surgeon have any malpractice judgments against them? This may be available based on the laws in each State or Province. See if you can ascertain what procedures the surgeon is most skilled at performing. Do you know anyone who has had surgery from that surgeon? How did they find the experience? Remember that the surgeon may provide you a list of satisfied patients to contact, but this is a self selected list. Consider visiting a few surgeons, usually you will find one surgeon who you feel most comfortable with; this is the best surgeon for you. This does not mean they are the "best surgeon". The truth is there are many qualified surgeons skilled at performing the procedure you desire.