Otoplasty — commonly known as ear pinning surgery — is the cosmetic correction of ears that protrude too far from the head. It is one of the few plastic surgery procedures routinely performed on children, and for good reason: the ears reach nearly full adult size by age five, teasing often begins in early school years, and the psychological benefit of correcting protrusion before those formative experiences can be profound. For adults who grew up without access to otoplasty, the procedure offers a straightforward correction to a concern many have carried quietly for decades. Importantly, protruding ears are not a matter of size — they are a matter of positioning and cartilage shape, and otoplasty addresses both with precision. At Los Angeles Plastic Surgery in Beverly Hills, Dr. John Anastasatos performs otoplasty with the combination of refined surgical technique and pediatric sensitivity that this procedure specifically requires.

Dr. Anastasatos performs otoplasty with the academic and training pedigree this procedure — performed on children, teenagers, and adults — specifically rewards. He completed his medical degree with Honors at Brown University and general surgery training at Columbia University-Presbyterian Medical Center in New York before completing plastic surgery training and serving as Chief Resident at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. He has been an invited lecturer at the Royal Society of Medicine in London on advanced facial surgical techniques, with an invited 2026 return as featured speaker. With over two decades of facial surgical expertise in Beverly Hills since 2007, he is board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS), a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS), and named by The Luxe Insider as one of the Top 10 Plastic Surgeons in the World.

Understanding Otoplasty

Protruding ears occur when the cartilage behind the ear is shaped in a way that angles the ear outward from the head. The ears themselves are typically average in size; it is the angle and fold pattern of the underlying cartilage that produces the prominent appearance. In most cases, the antihelical fold — the curved fold of cartilage behind the ear — is underdeveloped or missing, which causes the ear to stand away from the head rather than lie closer to it. The condition is usually present from birth and is often genetic, running in families across generations.

Otoplasty addresses the underlying cartilage shape directly. Through an incision hidden in the natural crease behind the ear, the surgeon reshapes or repositions the cartilage to create a more natural fold pattern and a closer angle to the head. In some cases, a small amount of cartilage is removed if it is causing the ear to appear too prominent; in other cases, the cartilage is simply reshaped and secured with permanent sutures. The result is ears that sit in natural proportion to the head — no longer drawing attention to themselves.

Otoplasty for Children

The ears reach approximately 90 percent of their adult size by age five to six, which is why otoplasty can be safely performed from that age onward. For children who have begun to be teased by peers — or who are self-conscious about their ears even before teasing begins — early correction can prevent years of psychological impact during the most formative developmental period.

Children typically have otoplasty under general anesthesia for comfort and safety, with appropriate pediatric anesthesia protocols. Recovery is meaningfully easy at this age. Most children return to school within 1-2 weeks with continued use of a protective headband during sleep for several weeks afterward.

Otoplasty for Teenagers

For teenagers, otoplasty is one of the more common plastic surgery procedures performed in the specialty. Adolescents who have spent years hiding their ears with long hair or hats are often strong candidates both medically and emotionally. Dr. Anastasatos works closely with teenage patients and their families to ensure the decision is fully considered, the procedure is thoroughly understood, and expectations are realistic. Otoplasty during the teenage years is often well-timed to summer break or other extended periods that allow recovery away from school.

Otoplasty for Adults

Many adults pursue otoplasty having lived with protruding ears for decades. The motivations are often a combination of long-held self-consciousness, new freedom to wear hair styles that reveal the ears, or simply the decision that after years of thinking about correction, the time has finally come. The procedure is identical to otoplasty performed on younger patients and produces the same natural results. For adults who have spent years adjusting their appearance around ear concerns, the result often feels less like a change and more like a reveal of the ears they always felt they should have had.

How Otoplasty Is Performed

Otoplasty can be performed under local anesthesia with sedation or under general anesthesia, depending on patient age, preference, and whether the procedure is combined with other work. The incision is placed in the natural crease behind the ear, where it is essentially invisible once healed.

The cartilage is then reshaped using a combination of two specific techniques:

• Scoring — controlled thinning of the cartilage on one side that allows the cartilage to fold naturally into a new position
• Permanent Sutures — strategically placed sutures that hold the new cartilage shape and angle in their corrected position

In some cases, a small amount of cartilage is removed if the ear is particularly prominent. The skin is then closed with fine sutures for the cleanest possible scar.

Every otoplasty is individualized. There is significant variation in how ears protrude — the upper, middle, or lower portion of the ear may be more affected, one ear may differ from the other, and the ideal amount of correction varies based on facial proportions. Dr. Anastasatos plans each procedure based on careful assessment and conversation about the patient’s goals.

What to Expect From Otoplasty Recovery

Surgery takes approximately 1-2 hours. Most patients return home the same day. A supportive dressing or headband is worn for several days to protect the ears and maintain their new position during early healing.

• First Week — tenderness most pronounced during the first 3-5 days. Swelling at peak.
• Weeks 2-4 — most swelling resolves substantially. Children return to school within 1-2 weeks with protective headband during sleep continuing for several weeks. Teenagers and adults typically return to desk-based work within one week.
• Weeks 4-6 — strenuous activity and contact sports restrictions lift; most external healing complete
• Months 1-6 — residual subtle swelling continues to refine over approximately 6 months as final shape settles

Frequently Asked Questions About Otoplasty

At what age can my child have otoplasty?

The ears are substantially formed by age 5, so otoplasty can be considered from that age onward. Many families choose to have the procedure done before their child begins elementary school to prevent teasing; others wait until the child is old enough to participate in the decision. Dr. Anastasatos discusses individual timing with each family based on the child’s readiness and the family’s circumstances.

Will the correction be permanent?

Yes. Otoplasty produces permanent repositioning of the ear cartilage. The sutures used to secure the new shape remain in place permanently, and in the rare cases where a cartilage change might gradually soften over many years, revision can be performed if ever needed.

Are the scars visible?

No. The incisions are placed in the natural crease behind the ear, where the scar is hidden from view in any normal circumstance. Over the first year the scar fades to become essentially undetectable.

Will my child need general anesthesia?

Young children typically have otoplasty under general anesthesia for comfort and safety. Adolescents and adults often have the procedure under local anesthesia with sedation. Dr. Anastasatos works with families to determine the appropriate anesthesia approach for each individual patient.

How soon after otoplasty can my child return to school?

Most children return to school within 1-2 weeks, with a protective headband worn during sleep and during physical activity for several weeks beyond that. Contact sports and swimming are restricted for approximately 4-6 weeks.

Will my ears look “pinned back” or unnatural?

Not when the procedure is performed with appropriate restraint. Dr. Anastasatos emphasizes natural positioning — ears that look like they always should have looked, not ears that appear pressed against the head. The goal is normal proportion, not extreme correction.

Why Choose Dr. Anastasatos for Otoplasty

• Brown University and Columbia-Trained: Medical degree with Honors from Brown University and general surgery training at Columbia University-Presbyterian Medical Center reflect a pedigree of rigorous training that families researching pediatric procedures specifically value.
• Former Chief Resident in Plastic Surgery at UAB: Leadership-level training experience at the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
• Royal Society of Medicine London Lecturer: International peer-recognition with invited 2026 return as featured speaker.
• Two Decades of Beverly Hills Practice: Sustained experience in cartilage shaping since 2007.
• Care Across All Ages: Children, teenagers, and adults all welcomed with age-appropriate consultation and surgical approach.
• Family-Inclusive Consultation: For pediatric and adolescent patients, careful consultation including parents and child together throughout the decision-making process.
• Board-Certified, FACS, ASPS, and ASAPS: Certification by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and full membership in the specialty’s most respected peer societies.
• Top 10 International Recognition: Named by The Luxe Insider as one of the Top 10 Plastic Surgeons in the World.

Schedule Your Otoplasty Consultation in Beverly Hills

If protruding ears have affected your child’s confidence, your teenager’s self-image, or your own sense of ease in photos and hair styles, otoplasty offers a correction that is permanent, natural-looking, and recovery-efficient. Dr. Anastasatos welcomes patients and families to the Beverly Hills office at 436 North Bedford Drive, Suite 202, Beverly Hills, CA 90210, for a private consultation covering ear anatomy, technique, recovery expectations, and realistic outcomes. Contact Los Angeles Plastic Surgery to schedule an otoplasty consultation with Dr. Anastasatos.