Absolutely not.  Otoplasty can be performed any age after 5-6 when the ears have reached full size.  In adults, this can be performed under local anesthesia, but I would recommend performing your daughter's otoplasty under anesthesia.

Otoplasty incisions are placed behind the ear in a vertical fashion. There are no incisions on the front of the ear, but there may be some redness of the auricle for several days. Because the incisions are placed on the back side of the ear, I have not found this to be a problem in any of my otoplasty patients. Once adequate healing has taken place, you should be able to wear your hair in a ponytail without concern for visible scarring.

Ear lobe reduction is a relatively straightforward adjunctive procedure that can be done during standard otoplasty surgery. There are many techniques to reduce large ear lobes. I usually will mark the proposed earlobe edge to the degree I feel would look the best and have the patient view it in the mirror to confirm. Ear lobe reduction does not increase the postoperative healing time or discomfort.

The incisionless otoplasty is performed by threading needles with suture through precise areas of the skin behind the ear. Once the suture is threaded beneath the skin and passed through the cartilage, it is tightened to the desired degree thereby pinning the ear back. There can be small pinpoint scars where the needle was introduced through the skin, but the amount of scar tissue is negligible.

Surgery for protruding ears is called otoplasty. This typically takes approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours and can be done under general anesthesia, IV sedation, or local anesthesia. An incision is made behind the ear, through which the cartilage can be trimmed and reshaped for a more desirable appearance. A dressing is placed over the ears for 1-2 days. This is a very rewarding procedure for my patients.

Posted by William E. O'Mara Jr., M.D.

The ear discomfort that you currently experience is probably due to inability to equalize the pressure differential between the cabin pressure and the space behind your eardrum. After otoplasty procedure, there will be some discomfort of the external ear, or auricle, but an airplane flight should not cause an increase in ear pain. I ask my patients not to travel after surgery for at least a week. By then, most of the postoperative pain will be greatly diminished.

Posted by William E. O'Mara Jr., M.D.

This is a relatively easy procedure that I perform in my office procedure room. It is done with local anesthesia and usually takes about twenty minutes to complete. The earlobe can be repierced after two months of healing. If you want to wear earrings for your senior pictures, plan to have your earlobe repaired at least two months prior. You only need to take off time from school the day of your procedure. You can return to school the next day, but refrain from strenuous activity for a couple of weeks.

Posted by William E. O'Mara Jr., M.D.

You have more than enough time to undergo otoplasty and be healed before your wedding. I would recommend approximately three months of healing before your wedding, so you have a few months to make your decision. You may want to hint around to your fianc that you are serious about doing it. I believe it is better for your significant others to be aware of your intentions so that it doesn't come as a total surprise to her.

Posted by William E. O'Mara Jr., M.D.

I generally perform otoplasty in children a little older than your son. I would recommend wait another couple of years. His ears will be a more mature size, and he will tolerate the postoperative recovery more smoothly. Parents usually will wait until their child is in early grade school to have this procedure done.

Posted by William E. O'Mara Jr., M.D.

Otoplasty is one of the most rewarding procedures I offer. I usually like to wait until approximately 6-7 years of age, depending on the growth and maturity of the patient. For children, I perform otoplasty under general anesthesia as an outpatient surgery. The surgery takes approximately one and a half to two hours and an overnight dressing is placed. Oral pain medicine and antibiotics are given for several days after surgery. Adult patients may undergo this procedure in an office based procedural room. When otoplasty is performed on a child, the ears retain their shape into adulthood as the patient continues to mature.

Posted by William E. O'Mara Jr., M.D.