Otoplasty (Ear Surgery) Experience

Otoplasty (Ear Surgery) Initial Consultation:

On your first visit you will meet with San Diego Plastic Surgeon Dr. Tom Pousti for a private consultation to discuss your goals. Dr. Pousti will discuss options, risks, benefits and possible complications of different surgical procedures with you. Questions regarding optimal timing of surgery and typical post-operative care issues will be addressed.

Examination:

Dr. Pousti will examine you and advise you accordingly. He will let you know if you are a good candidate for surgery and if he can achieve your goals. Questions such as placement and incisions, expected scarring, and your specific concerns will be addressed.

Tailoring the Surgery to Meet Your Goals:

Dr. Pousti will review several albums of pre and post operative patients pictures with you. He wants to have a full understanding of your desired result and pictures aid in this communication. During the initial consultation, you may be asked to look in a mirror and point out exactly what you would like to see improved. This will help Dr. Pousti to understand your expectations and determine whether they can realistically be achieved.

Otoplasty (Ear Surgery) Pre-Operative Appointment:

The medical history of the patient is reviewed, consent forms are signed, and prescriptions for post-op medications are given. Post-op instructions are discussed and “Before” pictures are taken. Dr. Pousti discusses size and placement of incisions ensuring the patient of the best results possible. This is a 28 year old patient from San Diego interested in Otoplasty surgery. After meeting with Dr. Pousti, she is excited and ready for her procedure.

Otoplasty Surgery Markings:

Before each surgery, Dr. Pousti takes time to perform “markings” which prepares the patient and Dr. Pousti for the upcoming surgery. Dr. Pousti understands that every patient is unique. Measurements are always carefully made to achieve the desired goal of the individual patient. Markings are then reinforced prior to surgery.

In the Operating Room:

By the day of the surgery, Dr. Pousti hopes that you will feel comfortable knowing that he has a good understanding of your goals. Some anxiety as well as excitement is to be expected.

Dr. Pousti performs the surgery in a fully licensed surgicenter with a compliment of caring nurses and board certified anesthesiologists. Dr. Pousti is with with you, holding your hand as you go to sleep.

After isolating the area to be worked on, the surgery began with an incision just behind the ear, in the natural fold where the ear is joined to the head. Dr. Pousti then removed the necessary amount of cartilage and skin required to achieve the right effect and results the patient wanted.

Dr. Pousti takes time to study your pictures prior and during your operation, using them as a reference to achieve your anticipated goal.Dr. Pousti uses every technique available to avoid complications such as infection, bleeding, scarring and loss of sensation. You will receive medications (antibiotics and anti-nausea) intravenously during the operation.

During your entire procedure, Dr. Pousti works very closely with a licensed and certified Anesthesiologist, which will watch and monitor you from start to finish.

Otoplasty Recovery:

Directly following your procedure, you will be wheeled into a recovery room where trained and skilled nurses are very attentive to you, making sure you are comfortable as you slowly awaken.

It is very important to Dr. Pousti that you are taken care of and are as comfortable as possible. To ensure this, Dr. Pousti has made sure that the nurses there are ‘first class’ and exceptional at what they do.

Otoplasty (Ear Surgery) Post-Operative:

After surgery, you may be instructed to wear gauze dressing or bandage for a few days or up to several weeks to ensure that your ears heal in their new, corrected position. Sometimes a ski band/headband to cover the ears is worn at night to prevent the ears from bending during sleep. Straining, bending and lifting should be avoided during the early postoperative period. In many instances, you will be able to resume most of your normal activities within ten days or less. Most people return to work at 7- 10 days.

Two Weeks Post-Operative:

The patient is doing very well and pleased with the results of the surgery. Her suture lines are healing nicely and looking great.

One Month Post-Operative:

The patient is doing very well and pleased with the results of the surgery. Her suture lines have healed nicely and she’s glad that she chose to work with Dr. Pousti!