Is Otoplasty Painful?

You will not feel pain during your otoplasty due to anesthesia. After surgery, most experience some mild soreness or a feeling of tightness around the ears. Any discomfort should be manageable and improve within the first few days.

How Many Appointments Will I Need?

Otoplasty includes an initial consultation, the procedure itself, and follow-up visits to monitor healing. After surgery, you will return for at least one or two follow-up appointments to ensure the ears are healing properly and maintaining their new position. Additional visits may be scheduled if needed.

How Long Until I See Results?

You will notice a change in ear position immediately after surgery, though swelling might affect how defined your result looks at first. As swelling improves over the next few weeks, your final ear shape will become clearer.

Can I Combine Otoplasty with Other Procedures?

Yes, some otoplasty patients choose to address additional areas of the face at the same time. Common combinations may include procedures that improve overall facial balance, though in many cases, otoplasty is performed on its own, as it addresses a very specific concern. During your consultation, your overall facial structure will be reviewed to determine whether combining procedures makes sense or whether focusing on the ears alone will yield the best result. To schedule your otoplasty, call Wes Plastic Surgery in San Francisco, CA at (415) 746-9363.

What Are the Risks Associated With Otoplasty?

Risk with an otoplasty can include swelling, bruising, infection, or temporary discomfort during the healing process. There is also a small risk of asymmetry or changes in how the ears heal, which may require adjustment in rare cases. Some patients might even experience some temporary numbness or sensitivity around their ears, but this should improve over time.

Otoplasty San Francisco, CA

Timeless Rejuvenation

Introduction to Otoplasty

When the ears sit farther from the head or have an uneven shape, they can draw attention in a way that feels out of proportion with the rest of the face.

Otoplasty is a procedure we offer our patients that addresses this by adjusting the position or shape of the ears so they sit in better balance with the rest of the face.

At Wes Plastic Surgery in San Francisco, CA, the goal with otoplasty is to make a correction that looks natural and consistent with your features, so the ears no longer stand out as a focal point.

A dramatic portrait of a man with dark hair and a beard, with strong light and deep shadows from window blinds creating a bold, geometric pattern across his face. - Otoplasty in San Francisco, CA

What Is Otoplasty?

Otoplasty, often referred to as ear surgery, is a procedure used to reposition, reshape, or reduce the size of the ears.

In most cases, it involves bringing protruding ears closer to the head, though it can also address asymmetry or structural cartilage concerns. The procedure focuses on adjusting the underlying cartilage and securing it in a position that better aligns with the head’s natural contours.

Incisions are typically made behind the ear, which helps keep any visible scarring minimal. Once the cartilage is reshaped and positioned, it is held in place with internal sutures to keep the new shape stable over time.

Who Are the Best Candidates for Otoplasty?

Otoplasty is a good option for both children and adults in the San Francisco area who are concerned about the position or shape of their ears.

Adults often seek treatment because they have been aware of the issue for years and are ready to address it. In children, otoplasty is sometimes performed at a younger age once the ears have fully developed.

To see if you’re a good candidate, call Wes Plastic Surgery in San Francisco at (415) 746-9363.

What Are the Benefits of Otoplasty?

The main benefit of otoplasty is improved balance. When the ears are brought into better proportion with the head and face, they tend to blend in rather than stand out.

Wes Plastic Surgery patients often notice that their profile looks more even, and hairstyles become easier to wear without concern about the ears drawing attention. For some, the benefit is subtle but meaningful, while for others, it can make a more noticeable difference in how they feel about their appearance.

The results of otoplasty are long-lasting because the changes are structural, and they remain stable over time once healing is complete.

A woman stands at a dark wood door with a frosted glass pane. The text "WES PLASTIC SURGERY" is printed in clean, black capital letters on the glass. The woman is shown from the side, partially out of focus, as she looks toward the entrance. - Procedure in San Francisco, CA

What’s the First Step?

Your personalized treatment journey with otoplasty begins by calling our office and speaking to Julie, our practice manager. There is no charge, pressure, or commitment associated with this phone call. Julie will answer your questions, explain what the treatment process involves, and help you figure out whether scheduling a more comprehensive consultation with Dr. Wes is the right next step.

If you decide to move forward, you will be booked for a full in-person consultation and medical assessment with Dr. Wes in San Francisco. During this longer visit, Dr. Wes will evaluate the position of your ears, cartilage shape, and symmetry to figure out what kind of correction is needed. This is also a good time to talk about what you want the end result to look like and what recovery involves.

What to Expect on the Day of Otoplasty Surgery

For your otoplasty, anesthesia will be used to keep you comfortable throughout the procedure.

Incisions will be made behind the ears, allowing access to the cartilage without creating visible marks in the front. The cartilage will then be reshaped or repositioned as needed, and sutures are used to hold it in place.

Once the ears are set in their new position, the incisions will be closed and a protective dressing applied.

Doctor dressed in a professional dark blazer and white shirt, sits at a desk across from a patient. He is holding a digital tablet and using a stylus to point at an anatomical illustration of a face and ear, explaining a procedure during a consultation. The patient is seen from behind, showing her blonde hair and a black sweater. - Procedure in San Francisco, CA

Otoplasty Recovery

Your Guide to Post-Otoplasty Care

A dressing or bandage will be worn after surgery to help maintain the new position and reduce swelling. Once this is removed, we advise you to wear a soft headband, especially at night, to prevent the ears from bending while sleeping. You can expect swelling and some mild soreness in the first week, but these should improve steadily.

Most otoplasty patients return to work or school within about a week, though it is important to avoid activities that could put pressure on the ears.

As healing continues, the ears settle into their new position and begin to look more natural.

How Much Does Otoplasty Cost in San Francisco, CA?

The cost of an otoplasty in San Francisco, CA, will depend on the complexity of the correction, anesthesia, and facility fees.

Some patients require a more straightforward repositioning of the ears, while others may need more detailed cartilage reshaping to address asymmetry or structural differences. Because of that, pricing is determined on an individual basis.

At Wes Plastic Surgery, you will receive a clear explanation of the cost after your consultation, along with a breakdown of what is included so you can make an informed decision. To schedule your otoplasty, call Wes Plastic Surgery in San Francisco at (415) 746-9363.

Why Choose Dr. Wes?

Ari Wes in San Francisco is known for combining prestigious surgical training, academic insight, and aesthetic precision throughout every procedure. A graduate of the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Dr. Wes has penned over 50 peer-reviewed articles and has obtained research funding from the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation, demonstrating his deep commitment to evidence-based care.

What sets Dr. Wes’s approach apart is his insistence on collaboration, detail, and personalization. He strives to truly understand each patient’s unique anatomy and goals, exceeding their expectations for excellence. He listens carefully, educates comprehensively, and curates surgical plans designed to reflect your most authentic self.

For otoplasty, the goal is ears that sit in balance with the head and face. Not overcorrected. Not obvious. Just right. At Wes Plastic Surgery in San Francisco, patients benefit from Dr. Wes’s elite training and thoughtful philosophy, enjoying outstanding care in a boutique setting where quality is never compromised by volume.

Otoplasty FAQ’S

Yes, some otoplasty patients choose to address additional areas of the face at the same time. Common combinations may include procedures that improve overall facial balance, though in many cases, otoplasty is performed on its own, as it addresses a very specific concern.

During your consultation, your overall facial structure will be reviewed to determine whether combining procedures makes sense or whether focusing on the ears alone will yield the best result.

To schedule your otoplasty, call Wes Plastic Surgery in San Francisco, CA at (415) 746-9363.
Risk with an otoplasty can include swelling, bruising, infection, or temporary discomfort during the healing process.

There is also a small risk of asymmetry or changes in how the ears heal, which may require adjustment in rare cases. Some patients might even experience some temporary numbness or sensitivity around their ears, but this should improve over time.

Schedule a Consultation

To determine if otoplasty is right for you, the first step is a consultation at Wes Plastic Surgery in San Francisco, CA.

Call (415) 746-9363 to book your appointment and get a clear plan for what’s possible.

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