The Face
Otoplasty
Natural Proportion. Quiet Confidence.
Natural Proportion. Quiet Confidence.
At Edition, we believe the ultimate goal is a result that looks entirely natural, repositioned to a proportionate place that draws no unwanted attention. Beyond the surgery itself, Dr. Schwartz views the recovery process as vital to the final outcome, and our team provides clear, direct guidance to ensure optimal healing and patient comfort. We find a profound sense of satisfaction in the immediate boost in confidence that otoplasty provides, helping our patients feel more comfortable and confident in their own skin.
The technical approach at our practice is highly personalized and centered on achieving lasting symmetry through precise sculpting. Dr. Schwartz typically reshapes the ear cartilage through a small incision hidden discreetly in the natural crease behind the ear, where it remains well-concealed from view. He takes a meticulous approach to every case, often adjusting both ears even when the primary concern is with only one, ensuring the final appearance is harmonious and aesthetically pleasing from every angle.
Prominent ears are among the most self-conscious concerns in aesthetic surgery—not because they are disfiguring, but because they draw attention in a way that hairstyle choices and accessories cannot fully resolve. At Edition Plastic Surgery, we view otoplasty as a transformative procedure that restores confidence by bringing the ears into better proportion with the face. Dr. Schwartz addresses the primary structural causes of protrusion, typically an underdeveloped antihelical fold or an overly deep conchal bowl, meticulously repositioning the underlying anatomy so our patients’ natural features can take center stage.
Ear prominence arises from various structural causes—such as an underdeveloped antihelical fold, an overly deep conchal bowl, or excess cartilage. Dr. Schwartz performs a detailed anatomical assessment for every patient at Edition Plastic Surgery to determine the precise technique needed. Our approach centers on customization—whether utilizing cartilage scoring, suture setback, or conchal reduction—rather than applying a one-size-fits-all solution.
Otoplasty is appropriate once ear cartilage has reached near-adult stability, typically around age five or six. Addressing prominent ears before school age can prevent social self-consciousness during formative years when the cartilage is most pliable. At Edition, we find the procedure remains highly effective for our adult patients with firmer cartilage as well.
Dr. Schwartz places otoplasty incisions discreetly in the natural crease behind the ear or within the inner folds where they heal imperceptibly. Through these access points, he reshapes the cartilage using permanent mattress sutures to recreate a natural fold. We prioritize a refined aesthetic, ensuring the ears look naturally well-positioned rather than appearing 'pinned back' or corrected.
For your safety and absolute comfort, otoplasty is performed in an outpatient setting using a personalized anesthesia plan. Dr. Schwartz typically utilizes general anesthesia for children to ensure a painless and stress-free experience, while many of our adult patients may opt for IV sedation or local anesthesia depending on the complexity of the correction.
After the procedure, the ears are carefully bandaged to safeguard the new shape and ensure the cartilage sets correctly while you sleep with your head elevated. Most of our patients are able to return to work or school within three to seven days once the initial surgical wrappings are removed. We recommend avoiding strenuous exercise for at least three weeks to protect your recovery.
While most patients require bilateral correction, Dr. Schwartz addresses each ear individually to tailor the degree of protrusion and achieve a balanced, symmetrical appearance. A visible improvement is apparent almost immediately after the bandages are removed. At Edition, we see results become increasingly refined as residual swelling subsides over the following weeks.
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All photographs are of actual Edition Plastic Surgery patients. Individual results may vary.
Otoplasty has one of the most straightforward recovery profiles in all of plastic surgery. The most important requirement is simply protecting the ears during healing.
Dr. Schwartz will examine the structural anatomy of both ears, identify the specific cause of prominence or asymmetry, and design a tailored surgical plan. He will discuss the degree of setback achievable, realistic symmetry expectations, and will answer every question regarding the procedure with complete directness — including what it can and cannot correct.
Otoplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure — under general anesthesia for children, and under IV sedation or local anesthesia for most adults — typically taking one to two hours for both ears. A light compressive headband dressing is applied at the conclusion of surgery and worn home.
The headband dressing is worn continuously for the first week. Mild soreness and tightness behind the ears are normal and well-managed with over-the-counter pain relief in most patients. Sleeping on the side is avoided during the first week. A follow-up appointment is scheduled within the first seven days for dressing change and inspection.
Most patients are comfortable in public within seven to ten days — with hair down, the correction is visible immediately and the ears appear natural. A softer headband is worn at night for four to six weeks to protect the ears during sleep. Contact sports and any activity risking impact to the ears are restricted for six to eight weeks.
Once residual swelling fully resolves at four to six weeks, the final ear position and shape are established. The result is permanent — the ears do not return to their original position. Most patients and families describe the change as immediately and profoundly confidence-restoring.
The goal of otoplasty is an ear that draws no attention — not one that looks corrected. Achieving this requires careful cartilage assessment, technique selection tailored to the specific structural cause, and conservative setback that produces a natural rather than over-pinned result. Dr. Schwartz brings the same meticulous anatomical judgment to every otoplasty as he does to every other procedure in his practice.
Full Credentials →Otoplasty is appropriate for any patient — child or adult — whose ear prominence causes self-consciousness and who desires a natural, permanent correction.
Dr. Schwartz will examine your ear anatomy, explain what the correction can realistically achieve, and advise on the best timing — including whether to proceed now or wait in younger children.
Answers to the questions Dr. Schwartz hears most often from otoplasty patients and their families.
At Edition Plastic Surgery, Dr. Schwartz generally recommends waiting until a child is at least five or six years old. By this age, the ear cartilage has reached near-adult stability and is firm enough for surgical reshaping. Our approach focuses on correcting protruding ears before a child enters elementary school to prevent significant social self-consciousness during their formative years. However, the procedure is equally effective for our adult patients, many of whom choose to address their ears decades after first considering the change.
Recovery is relatively straightforward, and most of our patients are ready to return to work or school within 7 to 10 days. A protective headband is worn continuously for the first week, then at night for four to six weeks to protect the new position of the cartilage. While soreness behind the ears is mild and manageable with over-the-counter relief, Dr. Schwartz asks that you avoid contact sports or impact activities for six to eight weeks and take care not to sleep on your ears during the early stages of healing.
Dr. Schwartz is very intentional about incision placement to ensure any scarring is as discreet as possible. The otoplasty incision is typically placed in the natural crease behind the ear—entirely concealed when viewed from the front and very well hidden from the rear. Once healed, these marks become imperceptible in the vast majority of our patients. Our goal is to produce a result that looks entirely natural and not 'operated on,' and the placement does not affect your ability to wear earrings or other jewelry.
Yes. Otoplasty reshapes and repositions the ear cartilage using permanent internal sutures, producing a lasting result. Once the cartilage has been set into its new position and has healed, the ears do not return to their original degree of prominence. While very gradual changes may occur over several decades as part of the natural aging process, the fundamental correction achieved at Edition Plastic Surgery is permanent.
Absolutely. Dr. Schwartz addresses each ear individually within the same session, tailoring the degree of correction to achieve the best possible symmetry. While perfect symmetry is rare as ears are naturally slightly different in all individuals, our team consistently achieves a meaningful improvement in balance. We can also repair torn or stretched earlobes during the same procedure, reconstructing the lobe to a natural, rounded shape that can typically be re-pierced after healing is complete.
While otoplasty is a safe and common procedure, no surgery is without risk. Potential complications can include minor asymmetry, infection, or internal suture visibility. However, because Dr. Schwartz is primarily working with the external ear cartilage, these risks are minimal when the procedure is performed in the controlled, sterile environment of our practice. Our team will discuss your full medical history during your consultation to ensure you are a safe candidate.
The investment for otoplasty varies based on the complexity of the correction—whether we are reshaping the cartilage of both ears, addressing a single ear, or performing an earlobe reconstruction. Because every patient is unique, Dr. Schwartz provides a personalized, all-inclusive fee quote following your consultation at Edition Plastic Surgery. This ensures you have a clear understanding of the investment required for your specific goals without any hidden fees. Financing options are also available to assist with your investment.
Dr. Schwartz performs otoplasty as a refined outpatient procedure, utilizing a protective headband to safeguard the repositioned cartilage and manage initial swelling. Most of our patients feel confident returning to work or school within three to seven days, though Dr. Schwartz recommends sleeping in an upright position and avoiding strenuous exercise for at least three weeks as the ears settle into their natural-looking proportions. Throughout your recovery, our dedicated patient concierge team at Edition Plastic Surgery provides comprehensive aftercare guidance—including specific headband instructions and a detailed activity timeline—to ensure a seamless experience and long-lasting, harmonious results.