Potomac Plastic Surgery: Houtan Chaboki, MD
2311 M Street, N.W. Suite 501
Washington, DC 20037
Phone: (202) 800-2085
Monday - Friday: 8 a.m.–4 p.m.
Reconstructive or cosmetic ear surgery, technically called otoplasty, helps people from Washington, DC; Arlington and Ashburn, Virginia; Bethesda and Chevy Chase, Maryland; and surrounding cities improve their appearance and self-confidence. This procedure can “pin back” ears, reshape them, reduce them in size, or make them more symmetrical. Both children and adults are candidates for ear surgery, also known as otoplasty. Whether you or your child will be undergoing otoplasty, safety is of the utmost importance. Dr. Houtan Chaboki has extensive experience performing otoplasty and provides a safe, caring environment for his patients and their families.
To learn more about ear surgery, request a cosmetic consultation with Dr. Chaboki online or call his office at (202) 800-2085.
Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.
Adults often choose to combine their ear surgery with other cosmetic facial sculpting procedures such as rhinoplasty at our practice in Washington, DC. Dr. Chaboki frequently performs these procedures and can discuss your options with you.
In Washington, DC, ear surgery should not be performed for children until the ears have reached full size, usually around age 5 to 6. However, because protruding ears may cause self-consciousness and poor adaptation at school, Dr. Chaboki believes that otoplasty should be performed as soon as possible after the ears are fully developed. While you are under general anesthesia or sedation, he will make a small incision either behind or in front of the ear that will be carefully placed to minimize scarring. He will reshape the cartilage and keep it in place with internal sutures.
Dr. Chaboki can also reconstruct torn earlobes which may occur as a result of heavy earrings, metal allergy, or trauma. In some cases, the earlobe is stretched from the prolonged weight of heavy earrings or the hole from the piercing becomes very elongated. The ear lobe also naturally becomes big or long with age and should be corrected along with a facelift for Maryland area patients. Splits in the earlobe, stretched piercing holes, or long ear lobes are easily repaired in the office with local anesthesia. After a healing period, Dr. Chaboki may re-pierce your ear if you so choose.
Certified by both the American Board of Otolaryngology and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Dr. Chaboki has extensive knowledge of the intricacies of the face and neck. When you choose him for your procedure, you’re choosing one of the most reputable facial plastic surgeons in DC, as well as a nationwide leader in preservation rhinoplasty.
Learn MoreOtoplasty procedures vary, and the cost depends on the details of your surgery as well as other considerations, including the fees charged by the surgical center. We will provide you with a personalized quote after your consultation with Dr. Chaboki. You can learn more about how we determine the cost of this and other procedures on our Fees & Financing page.
Yes, it’s generally preferred to combine procedures. First, by combining surgery, insurance may cover a portion of the procedure, and you may save money on fees. Secondly, tissue modified from one area may be used for another surgical area. Lastly, the recovery process following surgery would only be once, and you minimize downtime by avoiding two separate procedures. Commonly combined procedures with ear surgery include the following:
Strenuous activities or exercise after plastic surgery will increase the risk of bleeding, swelling, and bruising, until an appropriate healing time has been allowed. This restriction during the recovery period varies based on the operation performed and patient’s medical condition. Light activities, such as slow walking, may be performed soon after anesthesia. Heavy activity, such as aerobics, yoga, cycling, running, heavy lifting, or similar vigorous activities are allowed after 2 weeks from the procedure. Contact sports are generally allowed after 6 weeks from surgery.
Most patients do not require any time off from work, and may even return to work on the same day. A longer period of recovery may be necessary for ear reshaping (otoplasty) or combined procedures.
Downtime after cosmetic procedures may be a few hours to several days, depending on the specific procedure and areas treated. Office procedures are performed under local anesthesia, if any anesthesia is required. Surgical procedures are performed with either IV (twilight) sedation or general anesthesia and require a longer recovery period. Anesthesia normally wears off within the first 24 hours after surgery.
Dr. Chaboki provides the finest in both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery at affordable prices, and participates with most insurance plans. Plastic surgery covers a broad area of medicine, which includes both reconstructive procedures and cosmetic procedures. If your procedure is medically indicated, some portion of the cost may be covered. The office accepts insurance in applicable cases and will, if you wish, contact your insurance company to find out if your procedure will be covered. Insurance coverage varies greatly for patients, however, ear surgery may be partially or fully covered.
