Patients considering cosmetic surgery procedures such as otoplasty owe it to themselves to do their homework and gather as much information as they can to make an informed decision.

One leading benefit of an initial, pre-op consultation is the opportunity to ask Dr. David Dreyfuss your questions about the procedure and share any concerns you may have about plastic surgery. For best results, we recommend coming to your consultation appointment with a list of pre-prepared questions.

Dr. Dreyfuss will answer your questions in as much detail as possible to fully inform you about the procedure’s advantages, benefits, limitations, and risks.

Learn more about the questions you should ask about your otoplasty surgery with board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. David Dreyfuss by reading this article and then scheduling a consultation by calling (815) 806-9400 or contacting us online.

Essential Initial Questions to Ask at Dreyfuss Plastic Surgery

  • Am I a suitable candidate for ear reshaping surgery?
  • What surgical approach would you recommend for my otoplasty surgery?
  • Will I be under local or general anesthesia?
  • Where will my incisions be? Will I have visible scarring afterward?
  • What steps do I need to take to prepare for the procedure?
  • Will the recovery process be painful and take a long time?
  • What are the potential complications and side effects associated with ear reshaping surgery?
  • Can I see before-and-after procedures of previous otoplasty patients?
  • If there is an emergency during my procedure or recovery period, how will you respond?
  • Following the surgery, is it possible to make changes to my ears’ appearance in the future?

Questions About Surgical Preparation and Procedure

How Do I Prepare for My Ear Surgery?

After establishing your candidacy for the procedure, Dr. Dreyfuss will provide you with in-depth guidelines on preparing for your ear surgery. For example, you will need to avoid smoking and discontinue specific types of medications for a few days.

What Should I Know About My Incisions and Scarring?

Dr. Dreyfuss will place incisions in discreet locations to minimize visible scarring, such as in the crease behind your ear or within the ear’s inner folds. The extent of your ear reshaping surgery will determine the amount of visible scarring, which may vary between patients.

How Will Dr. Dreyfuss Perform Otoplasty?

In the case of children, where the ear cartilage is soft, Dr. Dreyfuss may apply splints to create new ear contours. The procedure on a child usually requires general anesthesia. In the case of adults, where the cartilage is more rigid, the process may involve removing or repositioning the cartilage after making a small incision in the ear.

What Can I Expect on the Day of My Surgery?

Otoplasty is typically an outpatient procedure that takes one to two hours. Please arrange for a friend or family member to drive you home after your otoplasty procedure.

Questions to Ask About the Cost

During your consultation, ask the following questions?

  • How much does ear surgery cost in Illinois?
  • Does the estimate include charges for the anesthesiologist and surgical venue?
  • What are the prices for post-op requirements such as prescription meds and medical exams?

If you are seeking otoplasty to rectify an injury or birth defect, you may be eligible for insurance coverage. However, if your treatment is solely cosmetic, Dr. Dreyfuss and his staff will happily discuss the various financing options available to you.

During your consultation, Dr. Dreyfuss will provide an individual fee quote, which will hold for six months. The fee itself will depend on the surgery location (hospital or office-based surgical suite), operating time involved, surgical technique used, and type of anesthesia deployed.

Learn More About Otoplasty at Dreyfuss Plastic Surgery

For answers to your questions that explain everything you need to know in a patient-friendly way, contact us at Dreyfuss Plastic Surgery or call (815) 806-9400 to learn more or schedule a consultation.