Otoplasty in
New Jersey & Philadelphia
Natural-looking ears in harmony with your face.
Medically reviewed by: Our Board-Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon & Rhinoplasty Specialists
Choose Otoplasty at Becker Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery, offering expert care in New Jersey and Philadelphia. Our surgical team crafts beautifully natural-looking ears that perfectly harmonize with your face. Put an end to your ear-related worries and embrace newfound self-assurance. Schedule your consultation today and take the first step towards a more balanced you!
Key Takeaways
Otoplasty reshapes or repositions prominent, oversized, or irregularly shaped ears to improve facial balance and symmetry.
The procedure can address protruding ears, enlarged earlobes, lop ears, and congenital ear shape concerns in both children and adults.
Children may be candidates around ages five to six, while healthy adults can consider surgery at any age following individualized evaluation.
Surgery typically takes up to two hours and may involve incisions behind the ears, permanent sutures, and selective cartilage reshaping.
Patients can usually resume many daily activities after about a week. Protective dressings or headbands support healing, while exercise generally resumes after four to six weeks.
| Procedure time | Up to 2 hours |
| Anesthesia | General for children; local with sedation for adults |
| Initial recovery | 1–2 weeks |
| Back to work | Approximately 1 week |
| Final results | Within a few months |
| Results last | Typically permanent |
| Insurance | Usually not covered; exceptions may apply |
| Age | Ages 5–6 and older; no upper age limit |
Perfect Your Ears with Otoplasty Benefits
Otoplasty, the art of ear refinement, is a transformative step toward balanced facial aesthetics. Designed to address both the visible and the emotional, this procedure harmonizes appearance, aligning your ears perfectly with your unique facial landscape.
- Enhanced Symmetry — Achieve the balance you desire; let your ears complement, not dominate, your facial profile.
- Boosted Confidence — Say goodbye to self-consciousness. Otoplasty delivers a confidence that resonates in every glance and conversation.
- Personalized Aesthetic — Tailored to your wishes, otoplasty ensures your ears mirror your desired look and feel.
For many people, large or protruding ears are a constant source of embarrassment. At Becker Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery in Princeton, Voorhees, Yardley, and Philadelphia, we offer otoplasty procedures to anyone who wishes to have their outer ears reshaped surgically to be in harmony with other facial features. This cosmetic procedure improves the appearance of the ears, which typically boosts the patient’s confidence significantly.
Our mission at Becker Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery is to help people enjoy their lives more fully by improving their appearance through plastic surgery. We have transformed many lives with plastic surgery and our surgeons are dedicated to meeting each patient’s unique needs. Otoplasty can be life-changing for the right patients.
What is Otoplasty?
Otoplasty is a surgical procedure used to reshape the ear, often performed for cosmetic reasons and with a very manageable recovery process. While most people couldn’t tell you how big a “normal” ear is, most of us can tell if a person’s ears look too large or too small. Having ears outside the normal size range can cause self-consciousness, poor facial balance, and even bullying.
Serious accidents can also cause damage that may affect the size or shape of the ear. Whether the anomaly is congenital or accidental, undergoing reconstructive surgery can help to enhance the ears with an aesthetic appearance.
Who Should Have an Ear Pinning Surgery?
Are you overly conscious about your ear shape and size? Have you been bullied or mocked on more than one occasion because of the appearance of your ears? Have you wondered many times whether there is anything you can do to change your appearance and facial balance?
If you have asked yourself any of the above questions, then Becker Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery may have the solution you need. Otoplasty is an effective procedure that will permanently change the appearance of the ears for the better.
If you have a child with irregularly shaped ears, the best time to have an otoplasty is when the child is between 5 and 6 years old. This age is perfect because it gives the kid more than enough time to complete their ear growth and may prevent bullying in school. 5 years is the earliest age that a child should have an otoplasty.
We do not recommend cosmetic ear surgery for children under the age of five. For adults, there is no age limit. Whether you are 20, 45, or 60, you can have an otoplasty procedure. It is never too late to look your best.
- Large or protruding ears
- Extremely large ear lobes
- Shell ear- this occurs when one is born with missing ear features such as natural folds and curves in the rim
- Lop ear- the tips of the ear trend forward and fold down
Every otoplasty at our Philadelphia office is performed by a board-certified surgeon with specialized training in facial plastic surgery. You’ll meet your surgeon at your consultation — and they’ll be with you every step of the way.
Why choose the Doctors at Becker Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery
Kirk Lozada, MD, FACS
- Completed his fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania and has trained with the top Facial Plastic Surgeons in Philadelphia, New York, and New Jersey.
- Has traveled to Ica, Peru with Healing the Children on multiple occasions performing a high volume of cleft lip and palate surgery.
- Is currently a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery and has numerous publications and presentations in the field of facial plastic surgery.
Daniel Becker, MD, FACS
- Board Certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology (ENT).
- Board Certified by the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (ABFPRS).
- Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS).
- Top-Rated by US News and World Report, Philadelphia Magazine, South Jersey Magazine, Castle-Connelly, and others.
- Read more about rhinoplasty specialist Dr. Becker’s credentials
Nicole Schrader, MD, FACS
- She is a double board certified surgeon in Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Otolaryngology & Head/Neck Surgery.
- Is a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery.
- Has over 20 years of experience, 15+ years in private practice and has performed hundreds of facelift surgeries.
- Dr. Schrader Recognized as Best Plastic Surgeon by Town Topics Readers’ Choice Awards.
Why Choose Becker Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery?
Finding the right surgeon is absolutely crucial for your safety and results. Here are some reasons to work with the team at Becker Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery in New Jersey or Philadelphia:
All our staff members adhere to a strict set of rules and a code of conduct
We carry out all our operations in safe, clean medical facilities that are accredited
Our team of plastic surgeons is experienced and trained in all types of plastic surgery procedures
All the plastic surgeons in our organization are board-certified by AAFPRS (American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery)
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How An Otoplasty is Performed
Dr. Lozada Explains
During an otoplasty procedure, the surgeon will administer an anesthetic to the patient. If the patient is a child, they will receive a general anesthetic. Adult patients will likely receive a local anesthetic, possibly combined with sedation.
After the anesthetic takes full effect, the surgeon will proceed to make an incision at the back of the patient’s ear, and then apply some permanent stitches. The stitches will play an important role in holding back the outer part of the ear. Depending on the situation, the plastic surgeon may remove ear cartilage pieces or excess skin.
The average amount of time that an otoplasty procedure should take is 2 hours at most. It is important to note that the incision the plastic surgeon makes behind the ears at the beginning of the procedure will likely leave a scar.
However, patients shouldn’t worry too much about the scars because they will be thin and unnoticeable, well-hidden behind the ears thanks to the surgical technique applied by the surgeon. The best part is that the scar will mostly fade away after a while.
We highly recommend that you get a board-certified plastic surgeon to perform an otoplasty procedure for you. Inexperienced surgeons may produce disappointing or inconsistent results.
A 2026 review published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open analyzed 18 studies involving 1,590 patients and found that otoplasty reduced the average distance between the ears and head by 11.7 millimeters.
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery – Global Open (2026)
What Is the Difference Between Otoplasty and Earlobe Repair?
Otoplasty
Earlobe Repair
Lauren Deegan · ★★★★★
Recovery From an Ear Pinning Surgery
When the plastic surgeon is done, they will apply a dressing to your ears that will remain in place for a few days. The dressing is meant to protect your ears from contamination and allow the ears to heal as they should. The doctor may temporarily remove the ear dressing the day after surgery to inspect the area for any hematomas.
Once the ear dressings are removed, you will be required to wear a soft headband to protect the ears at night to promote optimal healing. We recommend that you do not skip wearing the headband because it will play a big role in protecting your ears from being jostled as you sleep.
- Bruising behind the ears for a period of about 2 weeks
- Numbness in the ears for several weeks
- Tingling in the ears for a few weeks
- Soreness around the ears
Recovery Timeline for Ear Surgery
Your surgeon will discuss strategies for managing any discomfort with you. After the first week or so, you will be able to engage in most normal daily activities during the recovery period. Here’s a quick timeline of what you can do and when during the recovery period:
Travel soon after surgery
Wash your hair (although we recommend you wait to do this for at least two weeks)
If you are still a student, you can go back to school after 14 days
Exercise after 4–6 weeks. Swim after about 4–6 weeks
After 12 weeks you will be ready to go back to contact sports
If you’re not sure about when you can resume certain activities, ask your surgeon for guidance! They will be happy to help you decide what is and isn’t safe during recovery from otoplasty.
Pick One of Our 5 Convenient Locations
If you live in the states of Pennsylvania or New Jersey, Becker Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery offers otoplasty among its services.
Otoplasty FAQs
Who Is Considered An Ideal Candidate For Cosmetic Surgery On The Ears?
The ideal candidate for cosmetic surgery on the ears is someone who has a genetic or developmental deformity affecting the shape or size of their ears. This could be anything from naturally large ears to ears that stick out too far from the head, to an unusual shape. Candidates should also be in generally good health and have realistic expectations about what can be achieved with otoplasty surgery.
What To Expect In An Otoplasty Consultation?
During a private consultation for otoplasty, your surgeon will take a detailed medical history and discuss your desired outcome. The surgeon will examine the shape and natural contour of your ears and create a customized surgical plan to achieve the best possible outcome. They will also discuss realistic expectations with you so that you have a clear understanding of what the procedure can accomplish.
Should Otoplasty Be Performed On Both Ears?
No, it is not a must. The otoplasty procedure can be performed on one ear only, if appropriate. If a patient has only one ear that is irregularly shaped, they can have the otoplasty procedure done on that ear alone. Your surgeon will suggest a customized treatment plan based on your goals.
Is Otoplasty Dangerous?
Any surgical procedure has its risks, but otoplasty is very safe overall. Your surgeon will go over all the risks before you decide to move forward with the procedure.
How Long Will It Take To Heal From An Otoplasty Procedure?
On average, the time it takes to heal from a cosmetic ear surgery procedure is 2 weeks.
What Otoplasty Office Is Near Me?
If you live in the states of Pennsylvania or New Jersey, Becker Aesthetics & Plastic Surgery offers otoplasty among its services. For a full list of services, please visit our Locations page.
About the author
Daniel G. Becker, MD, FACS is a board-certified facial plastic surgeon and rhinoplasty specialist with extensive experience in cosmetic and functional nasal surgery. He is board certified by the American Board of Otolaryngology and the American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and has authored peer-reviewed publications on rhinoplasty and facial plastic surgery.
View full bio | Instagram
- Last Updated: 11/09/2026
- Published: 11/19/2021
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Princeton · Philadelphia · Voorhees · Sewell · Yardley
