Cosmetic & Reconstructive Otoplasty
Are your ears drawing attention for the wrong reasons? Ear surgery brings balance and proportion to the face — with visible, meaningful results and minimal disruption to daily life.
Among all facial features, the ears are uniquely positioned to shape how others perceive us and how we see ourselves. Ears that project too far, sit unevenly, carry an unusual contour, or bear the marks of an old injury can become the focal point of a face rather than a quiet, balanced part of it — and for children especially, this can mean unwanted attention and lost confidence.
Dr. Robinson recommends otoplasty — cosmetic ear surgery, sometimes called ear pinning — to patients across all age groups whose ears create aesthetic imbalance, whether through excessive projection, irregular shape, asymmetry, or structural irregularities present from birth.
Dr. Ernest B. Robinson is a Board Certified Specialist with more than 20 years of experience performing cosmetic and corrective otoplasty for patients from Aliso Viejo, Anaheim, Costa Mesa, Irvine, Laguna Hills and Santa Ana and beyond.
Ears that project noticeably away from the sides of the head
Uneven or asymmetrical ear placement
Irregular cartilage contours or structural birth anomalies
Earlobes that are stretched, torn, or distorted from injury
Dissatisfaction with the outcome of a prior ear procedure
Cosmetic or reconstructive goals in both children and adults
Each ear is unique in its position, anatomy, and type of issue. Before discussing any surgical strategy, Dr. Robinson starts with a comprehensive, unhurried conversation. He’ll review your medical history, carefully examine the shape and position of each ear, and note any asymmetry. Photographs are typically taken at this stage to aid in planning.
From there, he’ll walk you through the recommended approach for your specific anatomy and goals, setting clear, honest expectations about what the procedure can achieve, what recovery looks like, and how the result will integrate with your overall facial proportions.
Performed once the ears have matured to full size — usually around age 5 or 6. General anesthesia keeps the youngest patients comfortable and safe throughout.
Older patients receive a local anesthetic with a mild sedative — a comfortable, straightforward outpatient procedure with a short recovery.
Ear surgery typically requires one to two hours and can be performed at Robinson Facial Plastic Surgery or Pacific Hills Surgery Center, with anesthesia chosen to ensure comfort and safety at every age.
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A local anesthetic with a mild sedative is used for older patients and teenagers; general anesthesia is used for younger children. The procedure typically takes one to two hours.
2
Surgery begins with a carefully placed incision in the natural crease where the back of the ear meets the head — a location that keeps any resulting scar well-concealed once healed.
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Through this incision, Dr. Robinson accesses the cartilage framework directly. Depending on your concern, he sculpts, removes, or repositions cartilage to bring the ear to its desired angle and contour, securing it with sutures that hold everything precisely in place during healing.
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For torn or elongated earlobes, or those requiring reconstructive work, additional targeted techniques restore the natural form of the ear — every step guided by an eye for proportion.
At the close of surgery, Dr. Robinson applies a soft protective wrap over the treated ear or ears — shielding the surgical site and maintaining the corrected position during early healing. Most patients wear this wrap for about one to two weeks, and some are advised to use a supportive headband at night for added protection.
Soft Protective WrapWorn for about 1–2 weeks to protect and hold the ears in position.
Nighttime HeadbandSome patients use a supportive headband at night for added protection.
Avoid Pressure on EarsDon’t rest on or press the ears for about a week while healing progresses.
Pain ReliefTenderness in the first day or two is easily managed with recommended relief.
First 1–2 Days
Tenderness and mild swelling around the ears and sides of the face are normal and straightforwardly managed with recommended pain relief.
Day 4–5
Most patients return to their normal daily schedule, with the all-clear for moderate activity coming shortly after.
~1 Week
Healing has typically progressed enough to rest on the ears or apply gentle pressure to the area.
Week 1–2
Soft protective wrap is worn for one to two weeks, with scheduled check-ins to track your progress.
Several Weeks+
Strenuous exercise and contact sports can resume, allowing complete healing without disruption.
The transformation becomes apparent almost immediately once the protective dressing is removed. What patients notice first is not just the changed position of the ears, but the way the face reads as a whole — more balanced, more proportionate, and no longer dominated by a single feature. Because incisions are placed in natural, concealed folds, visible scarring is minimal and continues to fade in the following weeks.
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Contact Robinson Facial Plastic Surgery in Aliso Viejo to request a consultation with Dr. Robinson.
