Is an Otoplasty Painful?

The otoplasty surgery isn’t painful, as patients will be under anesthesia. However, patients should expect minor swelling, bruising, and discomfort post-surgery. Dr. Shastri will give cold compresses and pain medication as needed to help with these symptoms.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Dr. Shastri will have you return to the practice a week after surgery to remove any sutures and monitor recovery. He will also always inform you when you need to return for a follow-up appointment.

How Long Until I See Results?

Patients will see the impact of the surgery immediately. The initial results will continue to improve over the next 4-6 weeks as any residual swelling subsides. However, patients are recommended to wait until three months after the surgery to see the final position of their ears.

Can I Combine an Otoplasty With Other Procedures?

Absolutely, you can! Our patients who received an otoplasty in Chicago considered combining it with other facial enhancement surgeries, such as a rhinoplasty or a lip lift . Patients are encouraged to share these ideas of combined procedures with Dr. Shastri so that he can consider them when designing their surgical plans.

What Are the Risks Associated With an Otoplasty?

Otoplasty in Chicago has some risks associated with it. Patients are advised to learn about them before planning the procedure. Some of them include: Allergies to surgical accessories Anesthesia risks Asymmetry Blood clots Change in skin sensation Hematoma Infection Pain, which may persist Poor wound healing Possibility of revisional surgery Skin contour irregularities Skin discoloration/swelling Tear in the ear lobe Unfavorable scarring If you experience any long-lasting or concerning reactions during your recovery, please do not hesitate to contact us at KSMD Facial Plastic Surgery.

Chicago, IL

Otoplasty

Introduction

Introduction to Otoplasty

An otoplasty is a plastic surgery procedure that reshapes the outer ear, or the “pinna,” addressing structural ear abnormalities. This surgery can be used for various reasons, including rebuilding an ear after trauma or injury, correcting misshapen ear or ear lobes, addressing missing cartilage in ears, or simply for aesthetic reasons, such as pinning ears that protrude or stick out. If you are interested in learning more about otoplasty in Chicago, please schedule a consultation at KSMD Facial Plastic Surgery with double-board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Karthik Shastri.

What is an Otoplasty?

Otoplasty, also known as ear-pinning surgery, is a cosmetic surgery that can address congenital and traumatic challenges to the outer ear structure. The type of surgical alteration depends on the extent of protrusion, the size of the ear, and other factors. Ears that turn out can be “pinned” closer to the head with a simple surgery to reduce their prominence. Some patients may need some ear tissue removed or an ear reduction to draw the ear closer to the scalp, whereas others might need an ear augmentation or ear reshaping to improve overall ear aesthetics.

Close-up of a young man with light brown, tousled hair and light blue eyes. He has a neutral expression and light-toned skin, appearing in his late teens or early twenties. He wears a light-colored collared shirt with dark blue vertical stripes and a mandarin collar, with a small gold pendant necklace visible. The background is a blurred dark brownish-orange, focusing on his face and chest. - Otoplasty in Glenview, IL

What Are the Benefits of an Otoplasty?

For our patients who received an otoplasty in Chicago, a boost in self-confidence is just one of the many benefits they have enjoyed. More benefits include:

Flattening of ears
Increased facial symmetry
Long-lasting results
Rebuilding of ears
Repairs malformed ear cartilage
Resolves deformities

Who Are the Best Candidates For an Otoplasty?

The best candidates for otoplasty in Chicago at KSMD Facial Plastic Surgery will be those who have suffered low self-esteem due to the shape of their ears. Some characteristics of ideal candidates will include those who:

Have deformities or misshapen ears
Have protruding ears
Maintain realistic expectations
Need revision of ear placement
No underlying medical conditions
Non-smoker

Consultation and Assessment

What’s the first step?

The first step in getting an otoplasty in Chicago is to schedule your consultation with double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Karthik Shastri. During your appointment, Dr. Shastri will talk to you about your medical history, your aesthetic and functional goals with the ear surgery, and any expectations or concerns you might have. In case of trauma or injury, he will ask to see any past checkups of the facial area affected. He will finally examine your ears as he discusses incision placements, outlining the procedure, its risks, benefits, and associated recovery timeline.

If you both decide to proceed with the procedure at the end of the consultation, Dr. Shastri will draft a customized surgical plan. You can then take this plan to our patient coordinator, who will help you schedule your surgical date, discuss pricing options, and share any pre-operative instructions.

What to Expect on the Day of Otoplasty Surgery

On the day of your otoplasty in Chicago, Dr. Shastri and his surgical team will welcome you, review your surgical plan again in case of any last-minute questions and/or concerns and depending on what was discussed in the consultation, the board-certified anesthetist will administer general anesthesia, IV sedation, or a local anesthetic.

Once you are numb, Dr. Shastri will begin by skillfully creating an incision behind the ears and manipulating the tissue, cartilage, and skin to restructure the fold. He will take extra care not to overpin the ears, making them look natural and symmetric. If needed, additional sutures on the back of the cartilage can be placed to “pin” the entire ear closer to the side of the head.

Without complications, and on average, an otoplasty can take anywhere between one to two hours to complete.

Otoplasty Recovery

After your otoplasty procedure, you will be monitored in the recovery room until sedation wears off. Patients are recommended to have a family member or friend drive them home for full safety.

Patients are recommended to take a few weeks off from work and strenuous physical activity.

You will be given pain medication to manage any discomfort and antibiotic ointment to prevent infection. Children may need to be monitored during the first 24-36 hours after surgery to ensure the initial surgical dressing remains dry and in place.

How Much Does an Otoplasty Cost in Chicago, IL?

The cost of an Otoplasty in Glenview and Chicago will depend on multiple factors, including but not limited to the complexity of the case, Dr. Shastri’s fees, and the type of anesthesia used. Patients are recommended to schedule a consultation so that they can receive their surgical plan and arrive at a price estimate.

Why Choose KSMD Facial Plastic Surgery?

Double board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Karthik Shastri aims to provide his patients with outstanding, natural, long-lasting results based on the most advanced and innovative techniques. He is an excellent choice for your otoplasty in Chicago. Board-certified by the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) and the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), Dr. Shastri has published several articles in medical literature and lectured across the country. He remains committed to evidence-based medicine and participates in several multi-institutional research endeavors.

Otoplasty FAQ’S

Otoplasty in Chicago has some risks associated with it. Patients are advised to learn about them before planning the procedure. Some of them include:
- Allergies to surgical accessories
- Anesthesia risks
- Asymmetry
- Blood clots
- Change in skin sensation
- Hematoma
- Infection
- Pain, which may persist
- Poor wound healing
- Possibility of revisional surgery
- Skin contour irregularities
- Skin discoloration/swelling
- Tear in the ear lobe
- Unfavorable scarring
If you experience any long-lasting or concerning reactions during your recovery, please do not hesitate to contact us at KSMD Facial Plastic Surgery.

5.0 – 3 Reviews

Mohs Procedure

I had a very minor Mohs procedure about a year ago. It has healed incredibly well and the scar is barely visible (people do not notice it unless I point it out to them). The receptionist at the hospital told me that Dr. Shastri was “phenomenal” and that I was in great hands before my procedure. This was true. As someone else described in a previous review, Dr. Shastri exudes a calm confidence and is gentle. He did an excellent job stitching up my wound and monitoring the scar throughout the healing process. I appreciate his attentiveness; his skillful suturing is like a work of art. I am grateful that I was referred to him by my dermatologist. He is a phenomenal plastic surgeon — both in his work and bedside manner

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Mohs Surgery

Dr. Shastri was very competent at my facial Mohs surgery and thats saying alot, it was major.. His skill is obvious, as more than 15 tiny stitches were virtually painless and will be hard to spot. He was punctual. Clear regarding the procedure. Super bedside manor. Highly recommend him and his staff.

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Skin Cancer

Wonderful! He patiently explained the different types of skins cancers, identified the one I had, then described how he would treat it. He answered all my questions, even the dumb ones. He just exuded a calm competence. For the skin graft, I felt like I’d had the benefit of an artist ad well as a doctor. Mary, the nurse, contributed greatly to making the entire experience positive. The online system for getting an appointment, confirming it and messaging the medical team is complicated, Byzantine, and frustrating, particularly for old guys like me. However it is definitely worth struggling through it. If I could add more stars I would.

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Meet the Doctor

Schedule a Consultation

If you have protruding or prominent ears and want to explore surgical options to change their appearance, schedule a consultation with Dr. Karthik Shastri of KSMD Facial Plastic Surgery to learn more about otoplasty in Chicago.