Mr Omar Tillo
Consultant Plastic Surgeon
Otoplasty
At a Glance
Do you have ears which you feel self-conscious about? Do they stick out or appear unfolded? Do you find yourself hiding your ears with hair, hats or hoods? You may want to consider otoplasty.
Anaesthesia type: Local Procedure time: 3 hours Recovery time: 2 daysAbout
Otoplasty, otherwise referred to as Pinnaplasty or ear pinning, is an effective way to surgically alter the appearance of your ears. Otoplasty will be able to alter protruding ears or those that have unfolded configuration. Otoplasty is considered to have one of the highest patient satisfaction rates of any cosmetic surgical procedure.
Otoplasty can be performed on either one or both ears, depending on your wants and needs. If you have large earlobes, these can also be reduced at the same time.
Surgery can be performed under a local anaesthetic, however, it can be under a short general anaesthetic if you would prefer not to be awake. During this procedure, the position of your ears will be reset so it is closer to the side of your head. To achieve this, you will either have cartilage from the back of the ear removed, or the shape of the ears will be adjusted.
Candidates
All patients should be in good health and have realistic expectations about what can be achieved with otoplasty surgery.
We do not treat patients below the age of 18 years of age.
Healing is better if patients refrain from or quit smoking.
The otoplasty procedure is performed purely for cosmetic purposes, to help improve one’s body image and self-esteem. If you are concerned about the appearance of your ears to the point that you wear your hair to cover them, then you may be a good candidate for this procedure.
Procedure
Prior to any surgery, you will have a consultation with a surgeon, who will assess your suitability for the procedure.
An otoplasty is performed under a local anaesthetic, so you will be awake during the procedure. It involves an incision being made behind the ears. This will be made in the natural folds, so noticeable scarring will be minimised. The skin will then be lifted, exposing the cartilage beneath. This cartilage is shaped and pulled back towards the head. Sutures are used to keep this in position.
This procedure should take between one to two hours. Otoplasty is considered a day procedure, so you will be able to return home once the effects of the local anaesthetic have worn off.
After the surgery, you will notice a fine line behind the ears. However, this will be in the natural folds, so will not be very noticeable. This will fade over time.
Recovery
Following the procedure, you will have sutures placed behind your ears. These are delicate, and you will need to wear a band to ensure your ears stay in place. This band will need to be worn during the day as well as while you sleep.
To help the ears maintain their newly adjusted shape, your ears and head will be wrapped in a pressure garment. You will need to wear this garment at all times for about five to seven days. It is important that you do not alter the garment, nor get it wet. Wearing a wet or altered garment could result in infection, as well as other complications. It is best to avoid touching the garment.
You will be able to take medication which will help to alleviate any pain and discomfort you may experience. You will notice some swelling and bruising, but this is considered a normal side effect of otoplasty. To help reduce the side effects, you can:
- Keep your head elevated
- Avoid bending over
- Sleep with your head elevated on numerous pillows
- Do not sleep on your side or stomach
FAQs
Otoplasty are for those who have protruding ears that is impacting their self-esteem. However, we do not treat anyone under 18 years old.
You will be required to stop certain medications which increase the risk of bleeding and you will also need to use a special antiseptic solution before surgery to minimise the risk of infection.
An incision is made behind the ear close to the area between the ear skin the skull. The skin is dissected off the ear to show the underlying ear cartilage, which is then re-contoured and pulled back towards the head using special stitches. A compression garment is applied, and patients can go home the same day.
About 3 hours
Patients can return to work the next day, and restart normal activities in two weeks. The bandage is worn continuously for one week followed by night time only for three months.
Risks for otoplasty include weakening and breakage of the sutures which can lead to recurrence of the original problem, bleeding, infection and abnormal scarring. Our surgeons take special precautions to minimise the risk of these complications and can perform revision surgery if required.
There will be scarring from the stitches made during the procedure, however, it is usually made within the crease behind your ears significantly hiding the scars.
The sutures that are used in otoplasty are very delicate, requiring you to wear a band that holds the ears in place for 5-7 days and should not be allowed to get wet.
Pain from otoplasty is minimal, and is treated with paracetamol as required.
It is likely that there will be swelling and bruising but it is normal. Patients should keep their head elevated at all times to reduce the swelling and bending over should also be avoided for better healing.
You can take a shower below the neck but we recommend you to wait till the bandages can come off before you wash your hair.
Why choose us?
Surgeon-led and managed care throughout for a truly personalised approach
Our innovative ClearSleep anaesthesia technique
Comprehensive aftercare programme
Financing options available
Our Consultant Surgeons
Verified Patient Reviews
We searched for many different surgeries to perform my procedure but the center for surgery really stuck out. The staff were incredibly friendly and the receptionist Gregory and surgeon Omar were highly professional, welcoming and made me feel at ease. Would highly recommend to anyone!
Dexter Montgomery
20:14 25 Apr 18
Old implants removed and replaced, plus silicone granules removed from right armpit. My previous surgery was done over 20 years ago. (I never really had any breast tissue, so I had the implants to look normal). One implant had erupted and both had capsulated. I was never told they had a shelf life! When I first arrived at the clinic in Watford, ( I never went to th Harley St surgery) I was quite dubious about the whole set-up. The Surgery is right in the middle of a Business Site and it seemed like some sort of Back Street Butchery. (I hope this review will put people's minds at rest when they first arrive) It actually didn't help much that I had to wait an hour because the surgery that day had overrun, however, after talking to Omar Tillo and seeing how clued up he was on my situation, I began to relax. It didn't stop me going on-line to Google him and everything else about the practice, but it was all good. On the day of the surgery, I met with Mr Tillo again. I also met everyone else who was going to be in theatre with me and they all came to me individually to explain their roll. It was very comforting and reassuring. The surgery was quite lengthy and took several hours. I hadn't decided what size implants to go for pre surgery as my old ones were so distorted and out of place, so I left it with Mr Tillo to make the decision once the others had been removed. It is now 3 weeks since the implants were replaced and I am delighted with how I look and feel. The size and shape are perfect for me. Nothing weird or huge; I'm on the wrong side of 50 now so am not looking for glamour, just normality. The post surgery is superb. My coordinator, Naz, is very efficient and can't do enough for me. The incision in my armpit where the silicone particles had to be removed is probably the most uncomfortable part of the whole procedure, but most of you won't have to worry about that. I got a sick note for work purposes without any fuss at all, so over all; worth every penny! Don't let your first impressions put you off :-) Good luck.
Nina
14:43 02 Jun 18
Had a BA and uplift with Mr Tillo amazing MR Tillo knew what I wanted the staff where so lovely and looked after me the after care is excellent I would definitely recommend centre for surgery and would go again I’m so pleased thank you so much
Dee Catton
10:09 15 May 18
If you don't know about Omar tillo you should HES AMAZING at his job.. I went for bbl and at present I'm 9 days post op and loving my results. I must also review gregory .. my co ordinator .. Gregory your one of the most wonderful people out there you hsve gone above and beyond for me to make sure The dates the times were right just for me .. this is an AMAZING company with AMAZING staff.. so much so I'm going for a consultation in 8 weeks for breast surgery ...
Bryanna buswell
11:39 23 May 18
Highly recommend. Very professional and friendly staff.Had my BA and everything went smooth and good. I would choose this place over and over again for all the plastic surgeries.
Melania Ciurea
13:45 13 Mar 18
I had a tummy tuck 2 weeks and 4 days ago. It is something I had been considering for a whilst now that I have completed my family. Also the excess skin and fat was getting me down. I went to another consultation in Harley Street which was 15 mins where the Dr examined me and told me he could do the work and his secretary than called me with the price, it was very rushed. I found Dr Tillo searching the net and after reading his reviews I called his office and spoke with Naz, she was very friendly, explained their procedures and arranged an appointment for me to meet with him. I met Dr Tillo in his Watford clinic, I felt at ease with him straight away. Dr Tillo examined me and than explained what the procedure would involve. I had a few questions and he was very patient and explained everything fully and clearly, I never felt rushed at all.On the day of my operation I was excited. Dr Tillo’s staff were All lovely and so was the anethesist who explained everything and next thing I knew I was asleep. When I woke up it didn’t even feel as if though I had had an operation! My husband picked me up , I was given pain killers and it was explained that I would need to keep my compression belt on and drains would be removed after two days.I went home a very happy lady!!!As days have passed I have healed very well with no complications, I am so pleased with my new tummy, I know it’s good esp since my 3 year old doesn’t think there’s a baby in there anymore!I cannot Thank Dr Tillo and his staff enough!!
Hanna
17:13 19 Jul 18
Dr Tillo and his team are fantastic. Nothing has been too much for them!!I was told my tummy tuck would cost £17,000 at one clinic and £13,000 at another. It was considerably cheaper here. I'm not one to go for 'the cheaper options usually, as I tend to think you would get a cheaper result. But Dr Tillo pointed out that I didn't need all the work doing that the other places had said I did!! They were using my body to make money! Due to his honesty, and his non judgemental view, I left feeling confident that he was the man I needed.I am only a week out and thrilled to bits with my result so far. I can't recommend them enough.
Rachel Irwin
08:33 16 Aug 18
Very welcoming and professional, Mr Tillo,his team and Nikesh the PA.
Joshua Alexander
12:22 17 Aug 18
