Aside from affordability, many reasons motivate patients to seek ear-pinning surgery abroad. Most patients who decide to have ear surgery abroad feel protruding ears are unattractive. And they believe the correction surgery will boost their self-esteem.
If you travel abroad to have ear pinning surgery, you will experience many benefits, including:
Highly skilled and experienced surgeons
The surgeons are highly experienced with years of practice. Their clinics are accredited by renowned institutions like Joint Commission International JCI or International Organization for Standardization ISO.
Treatment that's worth your money
Finding a specialist abroad will be more cost-effective than visiting an amateur doctor in your local country.
Confidential and Private
Some patients want to keep their medical choices private, so seeking treatment abroad provides them with more confidentiality. Medical tourism offers privacy; you can publicly announce you're going on holiday while seeking treatment.
You get access to superior patient care services
Most doctors usually see their patients once a month. So, an average doctor spends fewer than seven minutes with a patient. Ultimately, this means that patients don't experience good patient care services from their doctors.
On the other hand, if you travel abroad to receive treatment, you can expect to be treated with care and respect when you go for treatment abroad. The surgeons in these reputable hospitals take the time to talk to patients.
You get the chance to recover in 5-star facilities
Some patients prefer an agency to plan their treatment abroad. It gives you relief to focus on your recovery. The agency will prepare a customized trip that fits your needs. The package will include flight, accommodation, and airport transfer.
Prioritize the treatment you need: understand the type of treatment you need. Visit your local doctor and understand what treatment best suits your case.
Create a shortlist of possible clinics abroad: research the clinic you plan to visit overseas. Most reputable clinics will have an official website, and you can examine the surgeon's expertise, reviews, and credentials.
Check the local regulation: Knowing how the treatment is regulated in your chosen country is essential. It will help you identify reputable clinics registered with the governing body or national association. It will also tell you about your rights.
Research the condition of the clinic before booking. It's recommended to visit the clinic before booking and finalizing the procedure. Talk to the staff and past patients if possible.
Ask what's the follow-up steps after the surgery and aftercare procedure steps.
Choose the right surgeon, do your due diligence, and enquire.
Plan your trip well, and give yourself time to rest after the treatment.
You're a perfect candidate if you're healthy and experiencing protruding ears on one or both sides.
The factors that affect the cost of ear pinning surgery abroad are the hospital's location, the surgeon's experience, the technique used, and the type of treatment.
Country | Estimated Cost |
UK |
€3000 - €4000 |
USA |
€4000 |
Turkey | €2450 - €2850 |
Australia |
€2800 - €3500 |
Learn more about Ear Surgery in Turkey by comparing costs and reviewing the clinics and doctors.
Ear surgery or otoplasty surgery is not recommended for children under the age of five. The procedure must be performed after the ear reached its full growth.
The Otoplasty procedure is the best option for patients who are in good health, have no active diseases or severe pre-existing medical conditions, do not smoke heavily, and have realistic expectations for the results of the surgery. Patients with an active infection in or around the ear’s region are not good candidates for this procedure.
Usually, no overnight stay is required.
The surgery will take 1 to 2 hours.
Patients need to stop smoking at least a month before the otoplasty surgery, as it can interfere with the healing process and the anesthesia used. The usage of vitamins, current medications, supplements, and alcohol should be examined and limited if the doctor sees it necessary according to the condition of the patient.
Blood thinners, anti-inflammatory medicine, herbal supplements, herbal teas, and omega-3 capsules need to be avoided for at least 2 weeks because they can increase the risk of excessive bleeding.
The patient will first be administered either local anesthesia, intravenous sedation, or general anesthesia. To correct the position of the ears, the surgeon will make an incision behind the ears, remove the excess skin and cartilage, and fix the ears closer to the head with stitches.
It is common to correct the shape and position of the ear by reshaping the ear cartilage. Although there are several techniques used to reduce the size of the ears, the most common ones involve the reduction of the earlobe or scapha cartilage.
Patients need to wear dressings over the wound for around 5 days during the otoplasty recovery period. Patients also need to wear a headband while sleeping for around 3 to 6 weeks after the otoplasty surgery to avoid any pressure on the ears.
Numbness may continue for several weeks, and mild bruising will generally disappear in up to 2 weeks. Patients may feel their ears stiff for several months. Soreness, pain, and general discomfort particularly at night can last for a few months.
Patients can usually return to work in around one or two weeks - most of the post-op swelling will subside during this period, but it may take up to 3 months for it to dissipate completely.
Ear surgery risks and complications can include:
Otoplasty surgery side effects can include:
Success rates in ear surgery are 91% in primary surgery and 100% success in revision surgeries, which were accepted as quite satisfactory.
Otoplasty surgery results are visible immediately, especially in cases of protruding ears. With the ear permanently located closer to the head, surgical scars are typically hidden behind the ear or alternatively hidden within the natural creases of the ear.
Can Otoplasty Surgery or Ear Surgery Affect or Improve My Hearing?
No, it cannot. Ear surgery can only improve the aesthetics of the external ear.
Can the Earlobe Be Reduced As Well, During Otoplasty Surgery?
Definitely – earlobe reduction or earlobe reconstruction is a popular ear surgery procedure. Larger earlobes are a sign of old age and many people find them unattractive. And there are new techniques developed and used for this condition which take approximately 15 minutes per earlobe.
How Long Before I Can Resume Sports or Exercise After Ear Surgery?
Patients need to avoid any type of exercise for at least 6 weeks after the ear surgery. Contact sports need to be avoided for at least 3 months after otoplasty surgery.