Otoplasty: Why Pictures Before And After Are So Important?

There are people who are born with ears that stick out too far from their heads. Having ears that protrude can cause a child to become the source of ridicule and embarrassment.

An otoplasty is a surgical procedure that can fix this problem and return the ears to a normal state that is comparable to other people's. This procedure is most often performed on young children but it can be performed on teenagers and adults alike.

When you first meet with the plastic surgeon for your consultation you will be shown a series of before and after pictures taken of other patients. These patients have given their permission for their pictures to be taken and shown to future patients. These photos are very important for you to see the transformation that has taken place.

The photos bear witness to the work of the doctor and therefore you should not just glance at them quickly but should instead study them carefully and notice how the otoplasty went for other individuals. As you look at the other people ask questions that come to your mind. Some physicians may have photos that show the look of the ear after six or eight days following the procedure. Pay close attention!

When looking at the physician's photographs here are some things to consider. First of all, take note of the shape of the former otoplasty patients' faces. In particular focus on the ones who are most similar to yours. Mention this point to the doctor.

The closer the face shape and features are to yours the more similar will be the results you can expect. Of course it also helps to focus on those who are the same gender as you because the bone structure will have more in common with yours.

Timeliness is relevant as well. Find out when the pictures were taken and how often the plastic surgeon has performed this procedure. Bear in mind that methods of performing surgery have shown improvements over the years. For that reason a photo taken two years ago would be more valuable to you than one taken 20 years ago. If the images are old then ask to see more recent ones.

Scarring is an element of all types of medical procedures, be they plastic surgery or other types. However you are looking for a surgeon who can give your ears the most natural look possible and also scars that can be hidden whenever possible.

Ask to see photos from all angles to get the full view. Look at photos of an otoplasty from the front view, side view and back. Look to see what degree of scarring the individual sustained. The more pics you can evaluate the more confident you will feel in terms of having the operation yourself.