Price: Starting at ~ $4,000-$7,000
Procedure Time: 1 hour
Recovery Time: 1 week
Introduction to
Otoplasty
Patients suffering from protruding or prominent ears have likely experienced at some point in their life statements of ridicule or jest that can undoubtedly cause a lot of shame or embarrassment, negatively affecting their self-confidence. Although we cannot choose our genetics, in this day and age, we do have the ability to decide whether to make adjustments to our appearance, especially when we know it can improve our self-esteem and self-worth. For people with prominent or protruding ears who are looking for a way to improve their confidence, Otoplasty, or Ear Pinning, is a great option to consider. This well-tolerated and minimally invasive surgical procedure can surgically place the ears back in a more desirable position, eliminating any source of shame about your appearance. If you are considering Otoplasty in Birmingham, AL, come and see double board-certified Facial Plastic Surgeon Dr. Blake Raggio and his team of specialists who will help you achieve your aesthetic goals.
We invite you to schedule a consultation or read below to learn more about one of the best Otoplasty Birmingham has to offer.
Expert Otoplasty Surgeon In Birmingham, AL
What is Otoplasty?
Ear Surgery, also known as Otoplasty or ear-pinning, is a procedure to change the shape, position, or size of the ears. It can also correct a birth defect of the ear structure. Otoplasty in Birmingham can be done at any age after the ears have reached their full size — usually after age 5 — through adulthood. Otoplasty is typically done on both ears to optimize symmetry. Otoplasty won’t change the location of your ears or alter your ability to hear. Instead, Otoplasty creates a more natural shape while bringing balance and proportion to the ears and face.
Otoplasty
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Dr. Raggio is an exceptional plastic surgeon!
What are the Benefits of Otoplasty?
The benefits are numerous when it comes to a Birmingham Otoplasty or ear pinning, including:
- Fixing overly large ears or protruding – a condition called prominauris
- Repositioning protruding ears occurring on one or both sides in varying degrees
- Addressing dissatisfaction with previous ear surgery
- Improvement of self-esteem
- Better symmetry of the overall facial structure
Otoplasty, or ear pinning, is a highly specialized and individualized procedure and you must make this decision for yourself, not to benefit anyone else. This is something we discuss during your consultation. Your image and self-worth belong to you, and Otoplasty is a wonderful method to help improve that self-confidence.
Who are the best candidates for an Otoplasty procedure?
Otoplasty is a highly personalized surgery, and we encourage our patients to consider the reasons why they want to undergo this procedure before determining whether this is the right surgery for them. Teenagers and adults who are good candidates for Ear Surgery in Birmingham are generally:
- Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
- Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for ear surgery
- Nonsmokers
Facial issues related to low self-esteem can be corrected by surgery, but it is important not to make your decision on this alone. During a consultation session, Dr. Raggio will talk extensively about the benefits of Otoplasty with you, and learn more about your desired outcomes, to help make a more accurate determination of your candidacy. Otoplasty should be chosen to benefit you alone, not anybody else.
What’s the first step to scheduling an Otoplasty?
What are the first steps?
The first step to getting Otoplasty in Birmingham AL is to call our practice and schedule a consultation with Dr. Raggio. During this session, you will have an in-depth conversation with Dr. Raggio who will walk you through the steps of the procedure and outline the many benefits. Dr. Raggio will take professional photography, and will carefully analyze and assess your ears as well as your overall goals to determine whether you are a good candidate. The consultation is also your opportunity to discuss your ear placement concerns and ask questions about the procedure.
What to expect on the day of your Otoplasty (ear pinning) surgery
On the day of your surgery, you will be greeted by a member of our team and shown to your private room where you will be prepped for your procedure. Dr. Raggio will meet with you one final time to review and finalize your goals and expectations regarding your Otoplasty. You will then be escorted to the procedure room.
First, Dr. Raggio will inject local numbing medications to ensure you do not experience any pain or discomfort during the procedure. If you are someone with high anxiety or have elevated concerns regarding pain or discomfort, we can offer oral sedation and/or nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) to further maximize your comfort.
Once you are fully numbed, Dr. Raggio will make a curvilinear incision on the back of your ear. Correction of prominent or protruding ears relies on either cartilage-excising or cartilage-preserving surgical techniques to create or increase the normal appearance of a fold just inside the rim of the ear and decrease the prominent appearance of the ears. Incisions may be made on the front of the ear when necessary, though this is unlikely. Internally, non-removable sutures are used to create and secure the newly shaped cartilage in place and secure the ear to a more natural position closer to the head. Finally, Dr. Raggio will close the incision, done by meticulous external stitching or suturing.
Once the surgery is complete, Dr. Raggio may apply gentle compressive garments or bandages to keep the ears comfortable and securely in place while the incisions heal and your recovery process begins.
Otoplasty Recovery
Before leaving our clinic, Dr. Raggio and his medical team will review your detailed list of instructions to help make your recovery process smooth and safe. The bandages applied are put in place to keep the surgical site clean, protect it from trauma, and support the new position of the ear during initial healing.
Discomfort immediately following ear surgery is normal and can be controlled with pain medication if needed, though this is not typical. Most patients do well with non-narcotic pain medications which Dr. Raggio will prescribe for you. There may be an itchy feeling under bandages, but you mustn’t move them for any reason. Failure to do so may result in the loss of some of the ear correction and may require secondary surgery.
To keep pressure off your ears after an Otoplasty, avoid sleeping on your side. Also, try not to rub or place excessive force on the incisions. Consider wearing button-down shirts or shirts with loose-fitting collars to avoid accidentally bumping your ears or impacting the incisions.
You will be asked to return to the Birmingham office several days after your otoplasty surgery with Dr. Raggio, where he will remove your bandages inspect your incision, and remove sutures if applicable. Your ears will likely be swollen and red, and this is to be expected. You may need to wear a loose headband that covers your ears at night for a few weeks, which will help keep you from pulling your ears forward when rolling over in bed.
How much does an Otoplasty cost in Birmingham, AL?
The cost of Otoplasty in Birmingham with Dr. Raggio will vary, based on a number of factors. The price starts at $4,000-$7,000, but will depend on the details of your surgery and the techniques Dr. Raggio will be using. During your consultation, Dr. Raggio will thoroughly go over all the steps and assess your goals and problem areas. This will help him design a customized surgical plan that can benefit you specifically. It is important to ask Dr. Raggio as many questions as possible so that you feel comfortable about the procedure and make an informed choice. You will also meet with our Patient Care Coordinator who will provide you with pricing quotes including a clear-cut cost analysis and discuss available financing options if needed. Detailed information regarding your perioperative instructions will be provided and reviewed as well.
All prices listed are inclusive of facility and anesthesia fees. Current pricing is subject to change. Surgical pricing is honored at the time of a surgical consultation.
Why choose Dr. Raggio for your Otoplasty?
Dr. Blake Raggio embodies a holistic approach to Otoplasty (ear-pinning) Surgery, prioritizing each patient’s unique goals and concerns. With a comprehensive facial analysis, he meticulously evaluates all aspects before recommending personalized surgical or non-surgical interventions. Dr. Raggio’s patient-centric philosophy ensures collaboration throughout the treatment journey, culminating in a tailored plan that prioritizes patient satisfaction.
Utilizing proven techniques, both surgical and non-surgical, Dr. Raggio strives to achieve durable and natural-looking results aligned with the patient’s cultural and ethnic values. His commitment extends to upholding classical beauty ideals, ensuring outcomes that stand the test of time.
Dr. Raggio’s success is indicative of his esteemed credentials and qualifications.
He strongly believes in educating the next generation of clinicians and serves as a Clinical Adjunct professor with the Faulkner Physician Assistant Studies Program, as a Clinical Adjunct professor with Tulane University Medical Center Department of Head and Neck Surgery in New Orleans Louisiana, and as a Clinical Preceptor for the University of Alabama Birmingham (UAB) School of Medicine.
He is an active member of multiple medical societies, including the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (AAOHNS) as well as the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons (AAFPRS).
Lastly, Dr. Raggio is one of only a few Fellowship-Trained Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons in the entire Birmingham Hoover Metropolitan area, and has obtained rare Dual board certification in both Head and Neck Surgery as well as Facial Plastic Surgery. Dr. Raggio strongly believes in educating the next generation of clinicians and served as an Associate Professor/ Preceptor for UAB School of Medicine, ACOM, and Faulkner University Physician Assistant Program. Dr. Raggio also acts as a Faculty Member and Adjunct Instructor at Tulane University School of Medicine.
For these reasons, patients can be confident and rest assured that they will receive the absolute best Otoplasty result with Dr. Raggio and his team at Raggio MD Facial Plastic Surgery in Birmingham, AL.
Contact us
Schedule your consultation for Otoplasty
To schedule a consultation for Otoplasty in Birmingham with Dr. Raggio, call us today, and one of our patient coordinators will guide you through the steps. Alternatively, you can also contact us through the patient portal on our website, and our coordinator will respond in a timely manner to schedule your consult. Dr. Raggio is excited to work with you and help you achieve your aesthetic goals!
