• Length: 30-60 minutes
• Anesthesia: General or local with sedation
• In/Outpatient: Outpatient
• Side Effects: Swelling, post-operative discomfort
• Risks: Blood clots, infection
• Recovery:
  

  Return to work: Within 7 days
  Return to school: Within 7 days
  Light exercise: 10 days
  Swelling completely resolves: Several weeks

The goal of ear surgery is to reduce oversized ears or bring protruding ears closer to the head. Dr. Arie Benchetrit performs this surgery on patients seeking more aesthetically pleasing, proportionate ears. If you are embarrassed about oversized or protruding ears, Dr. Benchetrit can help you address your concerns.

The Ear Surgery Consultation

During your ear surgery consultation, Dr. Benchetrit will ask about your reasons for seeking ear surgery. He will evaluate your ears and inquire about your medical history, previous surgeries, and any medications you take. He will outline a recommended treatment plan based on the goal of surgery.

After determining that you are a suitable candidate for ear surgery, Dr. Benchetrit will give you specific instructions on how to prepare for surgery, including any medications to avoid and what you can expect on the day of surgery. You are encouraged to ask any questions you have at any point during your consultation.

Ear Surgery Techniques

In addition to correcting protruding or prominently sized ears, ear surgery can also address a variety of other ear problems — for example:

• lop ear
• cupped ear
• shell ear
• large or stretched earlobes
• enlarged earring holes
• lobes with large creases or wrinkles

For protruding ears (prominauris), Dr. Benchetrit will make the surgical incision in the back of the ear and expose the ear cartilage. He will sculpt it into the desired size and position and, if necessary, remove excess cartilage and/or skin. Once he has completed the surgical modifications, Dr. Benchetrit may place non-removable stitches in the ear to maintain its new shape. Finally, he will wrap the head in a bulky bandage to promote optimal molding and healing.

Dr. Benchetrit focuses on using surgical techniques that leave minimal scarring, if any, and may recommend a protocol of certain dressings and ointments for optimal results. He also uses self-dissolving sutures, so you don’t have to worry about having any stitches removed.

The Day of Ear Surgery

Ear surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis in a hospital or surgical center. An anesthesiologist will handle the administration of anesthesia, so you will sleep comfortably throughout the procedure. The surgery usually takes less than an hour, after which you will relax in a recovery suite before being released. If you are having the surgery, you’ll need to arrange for someone to drive you home and look after you for your first day or so of recovery.

For minor procedures such as repairing an enlarged or torn earlobe, we usually perform them right in our clinic under local anesthesia. These procedures take 15 to 20 minutes, and patients can return to their usual activities right away.

Recovering from Ear Surgery

In the case of longer procedures, the ears may be sore for a few days after surgery, but any pain can be controlled with prescription medication. You will need to wear the surgical bandage for several days, then replace it with a lighter head dressing (resembling a headband). Dr. Benchetrit recommends avoiding any activities that could bend the ears for about a month. You will likely be able to return to work six or seven days after surgery. Complete ear surgery recovery varies by patient but typically takes four to eight weeks.

Why Choose Dr. Benchetrit For Ear Surgery in Montreal, QC?

Practicing in Montreal since 1990, Dr. Arie Benchetrit brings more than three decades of refined expertise to every otoplasty he performs. As a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada in both General Surgery and Plastic Surgery, and a member of the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, he combines rigorous training with an artistic eye for natural, proportionate results. At Cosmedica in Pointe Claire, patients benefit from a personalized consultation process where Dr. Benchetrit takes the time to explain every option, recommend the right technique, and tailor each procedure to the individual — earning him a loyal following across the West Island and greater Montreal.

Frequently Asked Questions about Otoplasty

What can ear surgery do for me?

Ear surgery can treat:

• Overly large ears — a rare condition called macrotia
• Protruding ears occurring on one or both sides in varying degrees — not associated with hearing loss
• Adult dissatisfaction with previous ear surgery

Is ear surgery right for me or my child?

Ear surgery is a highly individualized procedure, and you should do it for yourself, not to fulfill someone else’s desires or to try to fit any sort of ideal image.

Children who are good candidates for ear surgery are:

• Healthy, without a life-threatening illness or untreated chronic ear infections
• Generally 5 years or older (this is when a child’s ear cartilage is stable enough for correction)
• Cooperative and follow instructions well
• Able to communicate their feelings and do not voice objections when surgery is discussed

Teenagers and adults who are good candidates for ear surgery are:

• Healthy individuals who do not have a life-threatening illness or medical conditions that can impair healing
• Non-smokers
• Individuals with a positive outlook and specific goals in mind for ear surgery

Will I be able to see my ear surgery results right away?

Ear surgery offers almost immediate results in cases of protruding ears, with the new shape visible when the dressings that support the ear during the initial phases of healing are removed. With the ear permanently positioned closer to the head, surgical scars are either hidden behind the ear or well hidden within its natural creases. The results of more extensive ear surgery and reconstruction may appear in stages.

What are the restrictions after surgery?

The main restriction is avoiding strenuous activity, including vigorous exercise and heavy lifting, for one week. Other maneuvers that increase pressure in the head should also be avoided. These include straining and bending forward. Otherwise, patients may carry out usual activities.

Schedule an Ear Surgery Consultation

Considering ear surgery for yourself? Contact plastic surgery provider Arie Benchetrit in Montreal for more information about what the procedure can accomplish. Call 514-695-7450 or email our practice today to schedule a consultation.