Once someone has decided to pursue ear surgery, typically their next question has to due with cost: How much does otoplasty cost?
The truth is, it’s not exactly a simple matter to figure this out. While most otoplasty patients are seeking ear surgery to correct protruding ears or excessively large or prominent ears, some other otoplasty patients may be looking for asymmetry correction, ear reshaping, a way to improve ear appearance after an accident, or corrections for a birth defect.
In this way, every patient’s otoplasty cost will be different because various otoplasty techniques will need to be employed in order to achieve the patient’s goals. Otoplasty surgeons typically like to meet with their patients at a consultation appointment where the cost of otoplasty can be discussed in more detail.
For now, let’s go over some frequently asked questions about otoplasty surgery cost and the procedure in general.
Otoplasty Cost & Procedure FAQs
How is otoplasty cost calculated?
Otoplasty cost depends on multiple factors. We’ll be looking at the extent of your ear damage, asymmetry, or malformation so that we can assess how much surgery you’ll actually need. We will also be considering whether you’ll require local anesthesia or general anesthesia.
Next, it’s important to look at the costs charged by the surgical facility where you will undergo surgery. For most patients, this is a local hospital where your plastic surgeon has privileges.
Your plastic surgeon will also charge their own surgeon’s fees for their services. These charges very greatly depending on how experienced and well-established your surgeon is and where they are located geographically in the United States. More urban areas tend to have higher costs associated with plastic surgery.
Will insurance cover the cost of otoplasty?
Health insurance requires that covered plastic surgeries are “medically necessary”. This is a critical term that implies a surgery or treatment is absolutely needed for the health of the patient.
Unfortunately, cosmetic ear surgery is generally not covered by health insurance because it is cosmetic (not medically necessary). Naturally, you are more than welcome to talk to your health insurance provider about whether your surgery will be covered. In rare cases, a reconstructive surgery that is performed for impaired hearing or other critical reasons may be covered.
What is ear pinning?
Ear pinning surgery is a cosmetic procedure that brings protruding ears closer to the sides of the head. This procedure can be performed on adults, but it is also performed on children at around the age of five or six.
When parents realize that their children have protruding ears, they may opt to adjust the ear structure with ear pinning surgery to give the child a boost in confidence and hopefully avoid bullying or similar problems in the future. Otoplasty ear pinning surgery is a commonly performed procedure.
Is otoplasty painful?
As long as you have a qualified plastic surgeon, your ear surgery otoplasty should not be painful. most patients are under general anesthesia or local anesthesia with IV sedation. Of course, after surgery, patients will have some slight soreness, but pain medication can be used to offset this discomfort.
Will I have noticeable otoplasty scars?
Otoplasty scars tend to be very minimal. Most patients will have incisions made on the back of the ear in the ear crease where the ear meets the head. Sometimes, we’ll need to put some incisions in front of the ear, but there are some discreet locations where we can hide these.
Additionally, if other incisions also need to be made, we can typically make these in the hairline or sometimes just within the ear, which is another well-hidden location.
Will I have to wear a compression garment after otoplasty?
Yes, the vast majority of patients will need to wear a compression headband following surgery. This helps to promote circulation, keep everything in place after surgery, reduce the risk of infection, and reduce fluid accumulation. We want to keep swelling down as much as possible, and it’s also important that all of the newly formed contours of your ears stay still and in place as they heal.
Most patients will only need to wear their compression headband for around one week full-time. They’ll be able to take the headband off for a short time each day to bathe or change out gauze etc. After this time, patients can generally switch to wearing the compression headband only part-time.
Request Your Consultation Appointment
Plastic surgeons require consultation appointments before they book surgeries with patients. This allows them time to get to know new patients, learn about their medical history, and talk to them about their desired outcomes. Plastic surgery requires a strong dialogue between patients and plastic surgeons.
At your consultation, you’ll be able to discuss ear surgery cost in more detail, as well as specifics about your otoplasty procedure and any other cosmetic procedures you desire. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Dahlia Rice would be delighted to meet with you to discuss your options. Call today to schedule your appointment.
