The most common reason for ear surgery Chicago, Illinois is to fix ears that stick out too much.  For many people, having ears that stick out can lead to enormous self-consciousness.  Ear surgery, or otoplasty, is a relatively non-invasive way to help remedy this situation. 

Unlike other types of cosmetic surgery, ear surgery Chicago, Illinois is performed on children—normally from the ages of five to 15.  In fact, certain other cosmetic surgery procedures—such as breast reduction and enlargement—are not recommended until a person is fully developed.  Ear surgery, on the other hand, may be necessary for younger children as large ears can be much more pronounced.  In addition, ears are fully formed as early as four years old.

Ear surgery Chicago, Illinois involves a small incision on the back of the ear.  The surgeon then sculpts or removes cartilage and bends the ears towards the head.  The resulting scar is negligible as it is concealed by the ear.  The surgery can be performed in one or two hours and the child or adult can be active a short time later.  There may be slight pain and it will be necessary for the patient to wear a bandage for a few days while the skin heals.  Obvious care must be taken around the head, but full activity can usually resume within a couple of weeks. 

Protruding ears are by far the most common reason to get ear surgery Chicago, Illinois, but there are other reasons to get the surgery as well.  Misshapen ears, such as cauliflower ears, or ears that point inward or outward, can also be fixed via otoplasty.  In some cases, only one ear is problematic.  If this is the case, it is not uncommon for surgery to be performed on both ears to ensure that the two ears are symmetrical.