What is Ear Pinning?
Ear Pinning or Otoplasty is a procedure that changes the shape and contour of the
ears. The surgery is most commonly performed on ears that protrude from the head
or that appear too large. At Heartland Plastic and Hand Surgery in Cape Girardeau,
MO, our surgeons have found that in the majority of cases, clients need surgery
on both ears in order to achieve a more symmetrical and pleasing result. Once the
ears have healed, they are in a more normal position that complements the client’s
appearance.
Can I see ear pinning before and after pictures of people in the Cape Girardeau
area who had this procedure?
During your consultation visit, your surgeon will show you before and after pictures
of patients who underwent an ear pinning procedure. You will be able to see firsthand
the difference the procedure made for these people.
What is the average cost of an Otoplasty? Is there a charge for the consultation?
At Heartland Plastic and Hand Surgery in Cape Girardeau, the average cost of an
otoplasty procedure is $3500 to $3700 (effective June 1, 2009). This includes operating
room cost and anesthesia service. There is an $85 charge for a cosmetic consultation.
The cosmetic consultation charge is deducted from the price of the procedure if
you decide to schedule your surgery within 6 months. After 6 months, a new consultation
may be scheduled to review any changes in your medical history.
Will insurance cover any of my Otoplasty fees? Do you have financing available?
An otoplasty is considered a cosmetic procedure which is not covered by commercial
insurance companies. We accept several types of payment options. They are cash,
credit cards (Visa, Master Card, Discover and American Express), money order, cashier
checks and financing with an outside agency. Since cosmetic surgery is not covered
by commercial insurance, the procedure must be paid in full before surgery. Make
sure you have financing arrangements in place prior to surgery.
At what age will you accept a patient for an otoplasty procedure?
If the patient is a child, we usually like for the child to be of school age (5
years) before scheduling a consultation. We will talk to the patient directly and
find out the reason why they are pursuing the surgery. At Heartland Plastic and
Hand Surgery we want the final decision for surgery to be made by the patient and
not by a family member.
Is there a better time of year to have the surgery performed?
You should make it a time when you can allow yourself time to heal. After an otoplasty
you will be in a head wrap for several days and will have limited activity. A child
will need to avoid contact sports for a couple months, so summer vacation works
well. Adults would also have to make adjustments at work due to pain, swelling and
being on pain medication. The average time off work for this procedure is a week,
but more physically demanding jobs may require more time off.
Do I have to stop smoking before an Otoplasty procedure?
We would like for the patient to stop smoking 1 month before surgery and 1 month
after surgery. Nicotine in cigarettes decreases the blood supply to the skin and
blood supply is a very important factor to the healing process. We hope patients
can decrease their exposure not only to first hand but also to second hand smoke.
Is there anything I need to do to get myself ready for surgery?
To reduce bruising and the risk of hematoma, you must stop taking blood thinners
and vitamin E at least one week before and after surgery. If you are on prescription
blood thinners, you may need to get medical clearance from your family physician
as well as instructions on how to stop these medications. We also want all herbal
medication and diet pills (prescription and over-the-counter) stopped at least two
weeks before surgery and one week following.
At Heartland Plastic and Hand Surgery cosmetic surgeries are elective procedures.
Therefore the patient must be in overall good health before the surgery can be performed.
If there are questions regarding your health, medical clearance from your family
doctor may be required.
I’d like more information. What should I do next?
At Heartland Plastic and Hand Surgery in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, David Deisher,
MD and J. Stewart Humphrey, MD are board certified by The American Board of Plastic
Surgery. They offer plastic and hand surgery to patients across Missouri including
Cape Girardeau, Jackson and Sikeston. Your next step is to contact the Heartland
Plastic and Hand Surgery office in Cape Girardeau today to schedule your initial
otoplasty consultation! Before your visit, please write down all your questions
and concerns and bring them to your consultation so your surgeon can address them.
Call us today. Make this appointment now!
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