Dr. Sturgill performs otoplasty on children starting at age 7. By this age, the ears have reached approximately 90% of their adult size, meaning the cartilage is developed enough to reshape predictably and hold its new position. Just as importantly, most 7-year-olds are mature enough to understand the procedure, cooperate with post-operative instructions—like wearing the protective headband and avoiding rough play—and participate meaningfully in the decision.

Younger than 7, and the combination of softer cartilage and limited cooperation with recovery typically makes the timing premature.

The most important indicator isn’t the parent’s concern—it’s the child’s. Dr. Sturgill wants to see that the child is the one who’s bothered by their ears. That might look like them bringing it up on their own, refusing to wear hair up, covering their ears in photos, or telling you what other kids have said.

If your child has never mentioned it and the concern is primarily yours, Dr. Sturgill will be straightforward about whether surgery is appropriate at this time. The ideal candidate is a child who is aware of the issue, bothered by it, and willing to go through the recovery process. Surgery should support a child’s confidence—not replace it.

The incision is placed behind the ear, in the natural crease where the ear meets the head. Once fully healed, the scar is virtually invisible—even with short hair, a buzzcut, or ears fully exposed. This is one of the most favorable scar locations in all of plastic surgery.

Nothing in surgery is truly “scar-free,” but in otoplasty, the scar is generally not noticeable in everyday life.

Recovery from otoplasty is relatively straightforward:

• Days 1–3: Mild to moderate soreness and swelling. A soft, protective headband is worn continuously to keep the ears supported in their new position.
• Days 5–7: Most children return to school; most adults return to work. Swelling and bruising (if any) are usually minimal at this point.
• Weeks 1–6: The headband transitions to nighttime wear only—protecting the ears during sleep when accidental bending is most likely. No contact sports, roughhousing, or activities that risk hitting or bending the ears for approximately 6 weeks.
• Long-term: Final results are visible once all swelling resolves—typically within 2–3 months—though most of the improvement is apparent within the first couple of weeks.

The headband is the single most important part of recovery. It protects the correction while the cartilage heals in its new position.

Honest answer: there is a small recurrence risk with any otoplasty—typically quoted in the literature at around 5–10%, though the degree of recurrence varies. In most cases, if there’s any relapse, it’s partial and subtle rather than a full return to the original position. Cartilage has “memory” and can sometimes try to reassert its original shape.

Using permanent sutures, appropriate cartilage reshaping, and ensuring good compliance with the headband during recovery all minimize this risk. Dr. Sturgill discusses this candidly during consultation—no procedure has a 100% guarantee, and you deserve a surgeon who tells you that upfront rather than promising perfection. If meaningful recurrence occurs, a minor revision can address it.

Less than most people expect.

For children: They’re under general anesthesia during the procedure and feel nothing. Post-operatively, most kids describe mild soreness—not sharp pain—which is well-managed with over-the-counter medication like Children’s Tylenol for the first few days.

For adults: Under IV sedation or general anesthesia, you’ll feel nothing during the procedure itself. Post-operative discomfort is similar—a dull ache and tightness for a few days, easily managed without narcotic medication in most cases.

The ears may feel tight or “weird” as swelling settles, but significant pain is uncommon. The most annoying part for many patients is simply wearing the headband.

Absolutely. There is no upper age limit. Many of Dr. Sturgill’s adult otoplasty patients are in their 30s, 40s, or older—people who’ve quietly managed prominent ears their entire lives through hairstyle choices, hat-wearing, or simply avoiding certain situations.

Adult cartilage is stiffer than in children, which actually provides some advantages for maintaining the correction long-term. The procedure, recovery, and outcomes for adults are excellent—and it’s one of the most straightforward ways to resolve something that may have been a source of self-consciousness for decades.

Otoplasty is cosmetic reshaping and repositioning of an ear that is fully formed but prominent, asymmetrical, or disproportionate. The ear’s basic structure is all there—it just needs to be refined.

Ear reconstruction is a different category of surgery entirely. It addresses ears that are absent, severely underdeveloped (microtia), or damaged by trauma. Reconstruction typically involves building or rebuilding the ear framework—often using rib cartilage grafts—and is a more complex, multi-stage process.

If your child has microtia or a congenital ear deformity beyond simple prominence, Dr. Sturgill can evaluate the situation and, if it falls outside his scope, refer you to a specialist who focuses specifically on ear reconstruction.

In most cases, no. Otoplasty is classified as a cosmetic procedure by the majority of insurance carriers, which means it’s typically an out-of-pocket expense. This applies to both children and adults.

There are rare exceptions—some plans may offer partial coverage for pediatric patients if prominent ears are documented as causing significant psychological impact, but this is uncommon and varies widely. Dr. Sturgill’s office can provide you with the necessary documentation if you’d like to submit a pre-authorization request, but it’s best to plan on self-pay. Financing options are available.