Is Otoplasty painful?

Before performing ear surgery, Dr. Raggio will administer either local anesthesia (numbing injections) so that your surgical experience is painless. For patients who have more anxiety or concerns regarding discomfort, Dr. Raggio offers oral sedation and nitrous oxide (“laughing gas”) to further minimize any discomfort or pain and improve the overall experience. Following the surgery, pain medication will be prescribed by Dr. Raggio, though this is not typically needed for most patients. If you have any concerns about pain management during and after Otoplasty surgery, talk to Dr. Raggio so he can put your mind at ease. Overall otoplasty represents a very safe and well-tolerated in-office surgical procedure with minimal associated downtime, little discomfort, and tremendously impactful results.

How many appointments will I need for an Otoplasty?

Aside from your initial consultation and subsequent preoperative appointment, Otoplasty surgery will require follow-up appointments at our practice in Birmingham for 1 week, 1 month, and 4 months after surgery for Dr. Raggio to assess your recovery process. All follow-up appointments are extremely important for Dr. Raggio to monitor your progress and recovery. This is your opportunity to communicate with him how you are feeling and express any concerns you may have.

How long until I see results from Otoplasty?

Otoplasty is one of the few surgeries where you can see almost immediate results. In cases of protruding or prominent ears, the results become visible when the dressings that support the new shape of the ear during the initial phases of healing are removed. With the ear permanently positioned closer to the head, surgical scars are either hidden behind the ear or well hidden within the natural creases of the ear. Dr. Raggio will discuss your expected results timeline during your consultation, based on the specifics of your surgery, though final results should be apparent four months after surgery.

Can I combine Otoplasty with other procedures?

Otoplasty (Ear pinning) can be combined with a number of other procedures, which Dr. Raggio performs at his Birmingham boutique facial cosmetic surgery practice location. The common surgeries Dr. Raggio combines with otoplasty include a facelift or neck lift , for a complete facial restructure that restores your confidence. Be sure to discuss your options with Dr. Raggio so he can advise you on the best procedures to combine, and which to avoid. If you do choose to combine your ear surgery with another procedure, this will adjust the time of surgery, as well as the overall cost of the procedure.

What are the risks associated with Otoplasty?

With any surgery, there are associated risks you must be aware of before proceeding with the procedure. By choosing a highly skilled Facial Plastic Surgeon like Dr. Raggio, you are already doing your due diligence and minimizing your chance of risks or adverse outcomes. Some of the risks of Otoplasty include: Bleeding Infection Adverse reaction to anesthesia or sedation Dissatisfaction with the new position of the ears Need for additional procedures or revision surgery. Dr. Raggio will discuss these potential though uncommon issues with you thoroughly so you can make an informed decision before booking your appointment. It is vital to be realistic about your expectations and take the advice of Dr. Raggio based on your assessment, before opting for Otoplasty.

Why choose Dr. Raggio for your Otoplasty or Ear Pinning Surgery?

While many plastic surgery practices offer treatments in all parts of the body, we take a different approach. At Raggio MD, we offer highly specialized treatments focused exclusively on one area: the face. We believe that this singular, undistracted focus is what creates true mastery of the field. Dr. Raggio’s passion and extensive experience in Facial Plastic Surgery guarantee that we provide unparalleled results. At Raggio MD we focus all of our energy and expertise on facial procedures, ensuring that we do perform them at their highest level. Because Face is all we do, we can honestly say that we do it best. We give the patient a 100% honest evaluation of their concerns and goals. Having the full range of surgical and non-surgical treatments allows us to develop a plan without the potential for treatment bias. During consultation visits, Dr. Raggio will present his recommendation(s) and arm patients with the necessary knowledge to make an educated decision about their treatment. The theme that permeates every appointment: “The patient comes first.” Raggio MD produces the best, top-level Otoplasty results without compromise. Dr. Raggio prides himself on being a perfectionist and tailors an individualized treatment plan for each patient. He believes that no two surgical cases are identical and that outstanding results demand precision, attention to detail, and an appreciation for beauty.

Otoplasty (Ear Pinning)

In Birmingham, AL

Photo Gallery Schedule Now

Price: Starting at ~$3,700

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.

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.

Interior photo of the practice of Raggio MD Facial Plastic Surgery

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.

brunette man with white shirt resting on hand | Raggio Facial Plastic Surgery

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 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.

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.

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.

Dr Raggio smiling and looking good | plastic surgery birmingham

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!