The average operation involves an incision behind the back of the ear and some sutures to hold the ears back in place. Sometimes manipulation of cartilage needs to be performed by surgeons to optimise long term results. It is important to have realistic expectations and Mr Banwell will discuss these with you.

Mr Banwell recommends a general anaesthetic undertaken by a specialist anaesthetist. Children have this done as an inpatient with a one night’s stay in hospital, while adults may have it performed as a day patient.

Generally we like to see all patients at least twice although a consultation fee will only be charged for the first visit. Mr Banwell will discuss with you exactly what your aims and expectations are regarding possible surgery. He will also talk to you about how realistic these aims are. Patients are encouraged to see Mr Banwell as many times as they require prior to surgery so that he can fully understand what you would like to achieve out of the surgery and also so that you are fully informed of what the procedure involves and the potential risks or complications.

After the operation both the ears are covered with special dressings, which are held in place by bandages. These are left in place for seven days. One of the hospital nurses or our office will contact you after the operation to ensure that you have no problems during your convalescence. After seven days there is often some bruising and swelling of the ears and this settles over a period of weeks. The sutures behind the ear tissue that are not normally noticeable are dissolving. Mr Banwell will encourage you to wear a tennis headband at night for six weeks to hold the ears in an appropriate position while you are sleeping. The procedure to pin back projecting ears does not interfere with hearing.

There are both general and specific risks and Mr Banwell will talk to you in detail regarding these. General risks include bruising and swelling, bleeding, wound infection, problems with general anaesthetics, abnormal scarring and keloid scarring. Specific risks include tenderness of the ears, some pain, numbness, post-operative bleeding from under the dressings, return to theatre, pressure from the dressings and sutures, thick scars, skin loss, skin contour irregularities, loss of corrected shape and need for further revisional surgery.