Do you feel like your self-confidence would increase significantly if the size of your ears could be altered? Do you feel self-conscious about the shape of your ears? Do you feel like your head would look more symmetrical if you could change the position of one of your ears? If so, you may benefit from Otoplasty Sacramento, a procedure proudly offered at Nuance Cosmetic Surgery in Folsom, CA.
How Long Does Otoplasty SacramentoTake?
Otoplasty Sacramento, sometimes referred to as ear reshaping surgery, takes roughly 120 minutes to complete. Nonetheless, we can’t give you a definitive answer on how long your procedure will take until we have discussed all of your cosmetic goals and evaluated your concerns. There are many factors that affect how long your procedure will take, including the scope of your concerns and the technique used.
How Should I Prepare for My Procedure?
Although the Otoplasty Sacramento procedure itself does not take long, there is preparation required in advance of your ear correction surgery. The first thing you must do to prepare for this procedure is to abstain from drinking alcohol and consuming tobacco products. Both tobacco and alcohol products impede the flow of blood throughout your body. This will affect your Otoplasty Sacramento procedure and slow healing.
Ensuring you are hydrated at the time of your surgery is another key preparation step. Dehydration can make it harder for your heart to circulate blood, medications, and key nutrients throughout your body. Try to drink at least half a gallon of water daily pre-op, and eat foods that are high in water content.
Will I Need to Spend the Night in a Hospital to Recover?
No, you will not need to spend the night in a hospital to recover from your procedure. Rather, after this outpatient procedure, you will be observed for a period of time to ensure you wake up fully from your calming medication. Once you are alert, we will discuss your aftercare instructions with you to ensure you are fully aware of all of your responsibilities.
How Long Will My Recovery Take?
Otoplasty Sacramento recovery can take up to 42 days. Fortunately, there are things you can do to ensure your recovery process is as smooth as possible. First, you should make sure you are hydrated and have plenty of bottles of water on hand to drink throughout the recovery process. Second, you should clean your home. You must avoid stooping over for several days post-op, so clean your baseboards and vacuum your home before your operation.
Another helpful step to take to prepare for your recovery is to prepare several meals that you can enjoy post-op with minimal work. For example, you may want to make several smoothies to enjoy during your recovery before your scheduled ear repositioning surgery. You also may want to make a batch of high-protein, high-fiber broth-based soup to enjoy during your recovery. Also, you should make sure you have at least a week’s worth of groceries.
What Can I Expect During My Recovery Period?
While it can take up to six weeks to recover from ear pinning completely, you won’t have to take six weeks off from work to focus on your recovery. Your head will only be bandaged for a mere 14 to 21 days. Also, you will only be required to sleep on your back for 14 days post-op. Similarly, you will only be required to sleep with your head elevated by two pillows for two weeks post-op. Also, you will only have to refrain from wearing glasses for 14 days.
If your child has been talking to you about having their ears pinned, and you’re worried about them missing school, you shouldn’t worry too much. The resilience of children is astonishing. If your child gets their ears pinned, they will only need to take five days off from school if you don’t schedule their procedure right before a long holiday weekend.
Will Recovery From This Procedure Hurt?
No, you should not expect to be in pain during your recovery period. It may seem natural to worry that your ears will start to hurt once the anesthesia that numbed you wears off. Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about your ears hurting once your procedure is over. You shouldn’t expect to need prescription narcotics to keep you comfortable during your recovery period, but you may want to have some over-the-counter analgesics on hand.
Am I a Good Candidate for This Procedure?
To find out whether this procedure will be safe and effective for you, you need to attend an initial evaluation. During this initial evaluation, we will verify that this procedure will be safe for you by reviewing your health history and discussing your current health. We will also verify that this procedure will be effective for you. This procedure is a great fit if you’re worried about the size, shape, or position of your ears. It may not always be the best fit.
While you certainly don’t have to be as healthy as you were when you were younger, we do look for a certain level of health. We may consider you to be a poor candidate for this procedure if you have diseases or other disorders of the heart or lungs. You may also be considered a poor candidate for this procedure if you suffer from cancer, bleeding disorders, or skin irritation in the ear region at the time of the procedure.
Can I Be Too Old to Qualify for This Procedure?
Most of the time, this procedure is performed on children who are between five years old and seven years old. Nonetheless, if you’re an adult, you still may be considered a good fit for this procedure. If your parents never had the money to take you to get your ears pinned, you can take control of your appearance and undergo this procedure if you are in relatively good health.
If you’re considering ear pinning for your child, keep in mind that they will be considered too young if they are not yet five years old. Also, keep in mind that different children’s ears finish growing at different ages. There is a one-in-five chance that your child’s ears will continue to grow after their Otoplasty Sacramento procedure. This is not a large chance by any stretch of the imagination, but it is a chance worth mentioning.
How Long Will the Results of My Procedure Last?
You can expect the results of your ear pinning to last a lifetime. However, there is an almost negligible chance that you will need a follow-up procedure in the future. Your ears won’t grow, and the shape and position of your cartilage won’t change. However, it is possible that you experience skin sagging several decades after your procedure. This is because the skin in your ears, like all your other skin, contains collagen.
Collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, and it is responsible for a number of crucial functions. For example, it plays a very important role in keeping your skin tight and smooth. As you age, your skin starts to produce collagen at a drastically reduced rate. Also, the more your skin is exposed to UV rays, nicotine, and other harmful substances, your existing collagen weakens. This results in sagging skin. Eventually, this may be noticeable.
What Can I Do to Reduce the Chance of Perceptible Skin Sagging?
There are a number of steps you can take to reduce the chance that your skin sags perceptibly. One of the most effective steps you can take is to apply sunscreen diligently every day you are exposed to sunlight. Make sure that the sun protection factor of your sunscreen is adequate based on your personal risk of sun damage, and reapply your sunscreen every four hours or so for maximum efficacy.
Another very effective step you can take to keep your skin tight and smooth is to avoid excessive caffeine consumption. Caffeine can act as a diuretic, dehydrating you and damaging your collagen.
Schedule Your Initial Consultation Today
Usually, ear reshaping surgery takes around two hours to complete. The length of your procedure will be affected by numerous factors, including the technique used and the scope of your procedure.
To find out whether you are a good candidate for ear reshaping surgery, contact us today at Nuance Cosmetic Surgery in Folsom, CA, fewer than 25 miles from Sacramento, CA, to schedule your initial consultation. We welcome the opportunity to help you improve your self-confidence.