Otoplasty in Miami, fl
Concerned about prominent or oddly-shaped ears drawing unwanted attention? Dr. Anthony Bared in Miami, FL is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon with more than a decade of experience in otoplasty surgery. Elevate your confidence and redirect the focus to your true beauty.
Elevate Self-esteem Through Otoplasty’s Benefits
While the ears hear a symphony of sounds, their appearance can sometimes strike a discordant note in our self-perception. Otoplasty, or ear reshaping, offers a harmonious solution, re-tuning not just your ears, but also your confidence and self-worth.
Harmonized facial balance
Restore symmetry and let your true beauty radiate without distractions.
Boosted self-confidence
Don’t let prominent ears define you any longer; let your confidence shine instead.
Freedom from unwanted attention
Redefine first impressions and direct the spotlight to your natural charm.
Professional affiliations & contributions
Otoplasty for Children and Adults
Miami otoplasty to enhance the shape, position, and proportion of the ears
With children, the unwanted attention can be even worse and manifest in pointing, teasing, and name-calling. The situation is unpleasant no matter who is suffering, and you may feel that it is time to make a change. Fortunately, a surgical procedure has been developed to alleviate this problem and make it easier for you or your child to feel comfortable with your ears. It is called otoplasty, and it can successfully reduce protrusion and ear size to more usual standards.
Dr. Bared at Facial Plastic Surgery Miami is fellowship-trained, double board-certified, and highly skilled in otoplasty procedures. With his help, adults and children alike can have the chance to feel more comfortable about their appearance and avoid cruel teasing or attention.
When to Consider Otoplasty
A feeling of discouragement because of ear size, shape, or protrusion, can cause psychological and emotional problems for you or your child. This unhappiness with your appearance is the first thing that makes you a candidate for otoplasty with Dr. Bared. Some of the ear characteristics that can be altered are:
- Size
- Shape
- Protrusion (sticking out)
- Deformities
- Disproportion
There are important factors to consider about age and health before this cosmetic ear surgery can be performed. One of the first is that if the surgery is for a child, deferral until the child is at least 6 years of age is recommended. By this age, their ear cartilage will be stable enough for corrective surgery. The doctor can discuss this with you to be sure that your child has reached an age safe for the procedure.
It is also important that the individual receiving surgery be healthy, with no chronic ear problems. They should also be old enough to cooperate and follow instructions for the healing process. If you are an adult seeking this surgery, you should also be a non-smoker, as this can slow the healing process. When you decide that you are a candidate for surgery, or would like to discuss your candidacy with a professional, you can set up a consultation in South Miami with Dr. Bared.
Call today to schedule your consultation
The anatomy of the protruding ear
Our ears take on their shape during gestation (when we are in our mother’s womb) and continue to grow throughout our early childhood. At about the age of 6, our ears reach a size that is about 80% of what they will be when we are adults. During our development, an extremely complex system of signals triggers the growth of the ear as well as determines the shape of the ear. The appearance of the ear may take on different degrees of malformation, ranging from the most apparent to minimal.
The most conspicuous form of ear malformation is called microtia—whereby the ear fails to form. The complex formation of the ear relies on the formation of specific creases and folds for the ear to take on a normal appearance. The most common form of ear malformation is the protruding ear. Protruding is a result of two etiologies: the ear fails to form a specific fold referred to as the antihelical fold, and an excess of cartilage (“conchal excess”) which forms the “bowl” of the ear.
Otoplasty Before & After Photos
Each patient is unique and individual results may vary*.
At what age can an ear be set back?
Typically, ears can be set back any time after the age of 6 years. By the age of six, the ear has nearly reached its adult size. It is also the age before children enter school and possibly an appropriate time for kids to avoid the potential social stigma of protruding ears.
The Ear Surgery Consultation with Plastic Surgeon Dr. Bared
Not only is Dr. Anthony Bared extensively trained and experienced with all forms of facial plastic surgery, but he is also an ear, nose, and throat specialist. You can trust him to offer you professional service and provide you with the results you desire. As soon as you are ready to get some professional answers about otoplasty and want to consider going through with the surgery, you can schedule your consultation at Facial Plastic Surgery Miami. He will discuss with you:
- If you or your child is a candidate
- What results do you want
- Medical history information
- Current state of health
- The reasons for getting the surgery
Surgery to alter the appearance of your ears is highly individualized, so the doctor will discuss what specifically bothers you or your child, and what changes you would like to see. Dr. Bared will then discuss how realistic your goals are. It is a good idea for you and your child to bring a list of questions and concerns to discuss. This way, you won’t forget to ask anything important, and you can feel fully informed and prepared to proceed. At the end of your consultation, you and the doctor will have determined whether otoplasty is the right course of action for your age, and you can schedule a procedure.
Dr. Bared’s Unique Approach to a Surgical Otoplasty Procedure
Because people’s issues with the appearance of their ears vary from case to case, each situation is unique. Even so, there is a basic set of steps that takes place during an otoplasty. The surgery with Dr. Bared will include:
- Anesthesia
- Incisions
- External sutures
- Recovery
Anesthesia Used in an Ear Surgery
This can be administered in various ways, including local, general, or intravenous sedation. The doctor will discuss these options with you during the consultation, and decide what will work best in your situation.
Otoplasty Incisions
The location and number of incisions will depend on the type of alteration you are looking for. They are usually made on the back of the ear or in a natural fold. This will conceal any scarring that occurs after the procedure is finished. The doctor may also use non-removable, internal sutures which will create and shape cartilage as well as remove excess skin.
External Sutures in an Ear Surgery
These will be put into place after the reshaping and resizing is complete and may need to be removed in a follow-up appointment.
After the cosmetic surgery is complete, the patient will be able to go home the same day. You will receive detailed instructions for the care of your or your child’s ears, and these need to be followed very carefully for a successful recovery.
Recovery and Results from an Ear Surgery
The surgery sites must be taken care of as instructed by Dr. Bared. Some things to know about:
- Dressings
- Itching
- Discomfort
- Medication
- Avoiding strenuous activity
- Time out of school or work
During the recovery time, it is important to reassure your child about the positive changes they should expect after healing. Typically, a head wrap dressing is placed following surgery. It is usually removed on the first day after surgery and then replaced each day for several days thereafter. Once the dressings are removed, you will be able to see immediate results of the surgery. You will have one or two follow-up appointments to check on the healing process and for stitch removal, if necessary. After the dressing is removed, a lighter sports band dressing is used all day for the first week and then only at night for several weeks. This ensures that the ears are protected when sleeping. If you follow the instructions, you can expect a full otoplasty recovery and enjoy the results freely.
Otoplasty Post-Surgical Care
A degree of temporary discomfort, swelling, and tenderness is common after surgery. Dr. Bared may prescribe you pain medication to relieve it.
A thick dressing will be used to cover your ears after the surgery; this needs to be worn throughout the day for one to two weeks. After it is removed, you will need to use a broad headband to cover your ears and hold them back. Wear the headband day and night for a week or two. Once the ears begin to heal, you can wear it only at night for a month.
Keep your head elevated and do not sleep on your sides during the entire month of healing. When bathing, pour water over your ears gently, and when dressing, choose shirts that won’t necessitate you touching your ears.
The results of otoplasty last a lifetime. As you age, the cartilage may lose its elasticity and the ear may change subtly. However, it will never revert to the same shape or size it was before the procedure.
Otoplasty Before & After Photos
Each patient is unique and individual results may vary*.
Otoplasty Surgery Resources
Why Choose Dr. Anthony Bared
- Dr. Bared’s training was first in Otolaryngology at the University of Miami, followed by the awarding of a highly competitive fellowship by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery at the University of Illinois-Chicago.
- He is Double Board Certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and the American Board of Otolaryngology.
- Dr. Bared has numerous publications and has lectured at various nationwide scientific meetings.
- He also serves as a clinical voluntary Assistant Professor at the Florida International University, Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.
Frequently asked questions about Otoplasty
Last modified by Dr. Anthony Bared
