Most surgeons recommend that parents stay alert to their child’s feelings about protruding ears; don’t insist on the surgery until your child wants the change. Children who feel uncomfortable about their ears and want the surgery are generally more cooperative during the process and happier with the outcome.

During your initial consultation, your surgeon will evaluate your child’s condition or yours if you are considering surgery for yourself, and recommend the most effective technique. You will have the opportunity to ask questions and discuss your expectations.

Otoplasty procedures are performed at the Centurion Day Hospital under general anaesthesia. Your surgeon will give you instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including guidelines on eating and drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins and medications. We advise that you stop smoking two weeks before surgery and two weeks after surgery. This will help expedite your recovery period and encourage better healing on cellular level and to avoid unforeseen complications. Continue with chronic medication but please avoid the following medication and products for 2 weeks before your procedure, anti-inflammatory drugs, aspirin all vitamin and mineral supplements, all slimming tablets, and homeopathic medication.

After your consultation, you will be provided with a personalised quotation based on the recommendation of your surgeon. While making preparations, be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery and to help you out for a day or two.

Otoplasty procedures take between an hour and an hour and a half in theatre. The surgeon makes a small incision in the back of the ear to expose the ear cartilage and will then sculpt the cartilage by bending it back toward the head. Non-removable stitches may be used to help maintain the new shape. Occasionally, the surgeon will remove a larger piece of cartilage to provide a more natural-looking fold.

In most cases, ear surgery will leave a faint scar in the back of the ear that will fade with time. Even when only one ear appears to protrude, surgery is usually performed on both ears for a better balance.

Adults and children are likely to feel tired and sore for a few days after surgery but will be able to mobilise post-operatively. Most adults can go back to work about five days after surgery. Children can go back to school after seven to ten days if they’re careful about playground activity. You may want to ask your child’s teacher to keep an eye on the child for a few weeks. The patient’s head will be wrapped in a bandage immediately following surgery to promote the best moulding and healing. The ears may throb or ache a little for a few days, any discomfort you do feel can be relieved with medications prescribed by your surgeon. The first follow-up appointment usually takes place seven days after surgery when sutures will be removed if necessary. A second follow-up appointment will take place six weeks after surgery.

Any activity in which the ear might be bent should be avoided for 6 weeks. Most patients, young and old alike, are thrilled with the results of ear surgery. But keep in mind, the goal is improvement, not perfection. Don’t expect both ears to match perfectly. Absolute symmetry is both unlikely and unnatural in ears. If you’ve discussed the procedure and your expectations with the surgeon before the operation, chances are you’ll be quite pleased with the result.