Ear Surgery

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Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) in Las Vegas, NV

Dr. Cambeiro is a board-certified plastic surgeon performing ear surgery (otoplasty) in Las Vegas, Nevada. If you live outside of the Las Vegas area, please contact us to learn more about our fly-in program.

Otoplasty is done to set prominent ears back closer to the head or to reduce the size of large ears.

For the most part, the operation is done on children between the ages of six and fourteen. Ear surgery is done on adults as well, and there are usually no additional risks associated with ear surgery on an older patient.

Often people who feel their ears protrude too far from their head will try to conceal their ears with longer hairstyles or hats.

To see why Dr. Cambeiro’s qualifications, excellent service, and results make him the best ear surgery surgeon in Henderson and Las Vegas, NV, call us at (702) 734-4100 or request a meeting with us today.

How Ear Surgery is Performed

Dr. Cambeiro will place markings on the skin of your ear prior to the operation. An intravenous line is placed and medication is given to you to provide sedation during the procedure in the form of general anesthetic, administered by an anesthesiologist. The skin is then raised off the back of the ear and this allows a small file to be passed to the front of the ear which is used to gently score the cartilage where the fold is to be created.

After making markings in the cartilage, stitches are placed through the back of the ear cartilage without going all the way through the front of the ear. After a series of these sutures are placed, they are tied down, thus creating a folding of the ear to create the normal contour.

Dr. Cambeiro can make the fold more or less severe; depending on how tightly he ties down these stitches. At this point, if the bowl (concha) of the ear needs to be tilted back, this is done. Any adjustments to the earlobe are made, and the skin is then closed with self-absorbing suture. A light compressive ear dressing is placed and your head is wrapped to hold it in place.

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Your SurgiSpa Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) Experience

Dr. Cambeiro will perform a thorough medical history. He will need to know all of your medical conditions.

Your height and weight will be recorded at each office visit — please note that our office is in Henderson, Nevada, just outside of Las Vagas. Dr. Cambeiro will ask you if you have any history of developmental disorders, hearing problems, or problems that may interfere with the performance of a safe outpatient operation, such as history of heart disease, smoking, diabetes, bleeding tendencies, or other medical problems. If you smoke, you will need to quit four weeks before your plastic surgery and not to resume for at least four weeks after your surgery. Smoking decreases blood circulation to the skin and impedes healing

Your ears will be examined and compared to each other and to “normal” guidelines. Careful measurements will be made and the nature of the prominence is determined and explained to you by Dr. Cambeiro. He will describe the operation that will correct the problem and its associated risks. Often, patients want their ear prominence corrected more dramatically than is appropriate with respect to their other features.

Furthermore, Dr. Cambeiro will explain the anesthesia he will use during your procedure. He will address the risks involved in the surgery as well as your expectations of the overall outcome. You will be given a cost estimate for your procedure.

Your Second Office Visit

You will meet with Dr. Cambeiro approximately two weeks prior to your cosmetic surgery in Las Vegas, at which time any remaining questions you may have regarding the operation will be answered. You will have an opportunity to discuss and receive the following information:

Physical Exam

You will receive a general physical examination to ensure that no new underlying medical problems exist that may interfere with the safety of the plastic surgery. Any infections that you may have should be discussed with Dr. Cambeiro before your operative date.

Patients with high blood pressure must have their condition well controlled prior to surgery and should plan to take their blood pressure medication right up to the time of their operation.
Pre-operative digital photographs are taken so that you can see the improvement from your surgery afterwards. You will be asked to sign a photographic consent prior to having any photographs taken. Pictures are usually taken 3 months after your procedure.

Pre-Op Instructions

You will receive specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery. The instructions will include guidelines on eating, drinking, smoking, and taking or avoiding certain vitamins, iron tablets and certain medications. You will receive specific instructions regarding the date and time of your plastic surgery procedure before leaving his office.

Dr. Cambeiro will write prescriptions for post-operative preventative antibiotics to decrease your risk of infection and a narcotic analgesic for post-operative pain relief.
You will be instructed not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before your plastic surgery.

Medications

A list of your medications will be reviewed and certain medications should be discontinued at least 2 weeks prior to the plastic surgery operation.

You will be asked to refrain from taking any medications or other substances which could potentially be the cause of surgical complications such as aspirin, NSAIDs and vitamin E. These medications interfere with the blood clotting mechanism and can cause bleeding complications.

Surgery Fess & Consent

You will be asked to pay your surgical fee at your pre-operative visit. The fee is determined at the time of the consultation, and is different for every scenario or combination of areas treated.

Scheduling plastic surgery involves payment of a non-refundable deposit, as there are costs involved with preparing for the operation, and for holding operating room time.
You will be asked to sign a consent form for the surgical procedure and for board-certified anesthesia.

Post-Op Arrangements

You will be asked to pre-arrange for somebody to drive you home from the surgery office after your plastic surgery. You cannot operate motor vehicles after surgery, and we will not place recently sedated patients in taxis for transport home. We can arrange for medical transport in the event you cannot find an escort. It is mandatory to have someone stay with you for at least 24 hours after plastic surgery for your comfort and safety.

Your Surgery Day

Wear loose fitting clothing that will wash easily in the event they are soiled.

Leave all jewelry, contact lenses, or other valuables at home. Remove all body jewelry from pierced body parts the day of plastic surgery.

Dr. Cambeiro's nurse will check your vital signs before your operation begins.

You will meet with the anesthesiologist to review your medical history.
Ear surgery takes about two to three hours, although complicated procedures may take longer. The technique will depend on the problem.

Ear Surgery Before & After Photos

Keep in mind that each patient is unique and your results may vary.

Ear Surgery Recovery

You may use pain medication at this time that was prescribed to you by Dr. Cambeiro. You will need to keep the dressing dry and clean.
Two to three days after the plastic surgery operation, Dr. Cambeiro or his nurse will see you and remove the dressings. You will then be able to shower.
The ears are swollen and bruised and numb at this stage. They may look a little irregular from having the dressings in place. You should not worry about their appearance at this point.
Healing takes six weeks to be complete, and even longer for all of the fine details of the ears to return to their normal appearance.
There is usually some difference in the appearance of the ears even in normal ears, and so it is uncommon for the ears to be perfectly symmetrical.
Dr. Cambeiro will ask that you wear a lightly compressive elastic headband (ladies’ hair band) for one month after surgery, only when sleeping. This is done to avoid inadvertent stress on the closure and corrective sutures.
You should not drive until you have normal return of daily activity and are off all narcotic medications.
You should avoid strenuous activities such as bending, lifting, and sports for about three weeks. Drinking alcohol can lead to fluid retention and delays recovery.

During the first 24 hours your assigned caretaker will assist you in getting up to the bathroom, taking medications, and eating and drinking. During the first 12-24 hours you will stay on a liquid diet and advance yourself as tolerated.
You will probably feel tired and sore for a few days following your plastic surgery, but you will be up and about in 24-48 hours. Most of your discomfort can be controlled by medication.
Antibiotics are continued for five days after the procedure to lower the risk of infection.
You should be up and walking on the morning following your plastic surgery, and a light solid diet begun to the point of tolerance.
If you have a temperature over 99.5 degrees, chills or sweats, a markedly different degree of swelling between sides, and/or increasing rather than decreasing pain—call the office immediately!
You should be able to return to work within a few days to week, depending on the level of activity required for your job.
Dr. Cambeiro will let you know when a good time is to start up your exercises and normal activities.
You are allowed to bathe and to wash their hair 48 to 72 hours after the procedure. Showering is then permitted but the incisions should not be submerged, as in a tub or pool.

Final Result

Adults and children are usually up and around within a few hours of surgery, although you may prefer to stay overnight in the hospital with your child until all the effect of the general anesthesia wear off. Your head will be wrapped in a bulky bandage immediately following surgery to promote the best molding and healing. The ears may throb or ache a little for a few days, but this can be relieved with pain medication. Within a few days, a lighter head dressing similar to a headband will replace the bulky bandages. Stitches are removed, or will dissolve in about a week.

Any activity in which the ear might be bent should be avoided for a month or so. Most adults can go back to work about five days after the plastic surgery. Children can go back to school after seven days or so, if they are careful about playground activity. Most patients, young and old alike, are thrilled with the results of ear surgery. However, keep in mind, the goal is an improvement, not perfection. Do not expect both ears to match because it is both unlikely and unnatural in ears.

Follow up photographs are taken two to three months, at which time you should look relatively normal.

Request a consultation with Dr. Cambeiro, or call SurgiSpa at (702) 734-4100 to schedule your appointment.