Ear, Chin, and Eyelid Surgery

Your face is uniquely you. Whether it’s cosmetic surgery to brighten your eyes or complex reconstruction for structural ear or chin defects, any change can make a big difference.

At Faith Regional Physician Services in Norfolk, Nebraska, we offer highly personalized consultation and care with specialized plastic and reconstructive surgery expertise. We perform a full array of surgical procedures to treat the ears, eyelids, chin, and other facial features.

Our board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon offers skilled care for the eyelids and eye areas, inner and outer ears, chin, jaw, and other parts of the face, head, and neck.

How Plastic Surgery Can Help

Sometimes, putting your best face forward isn’t easy. You might feel self-conscious about small flaws or hindered by deformities or features that can affect facial proportion, profile, or other aspects of your appearance. Whatever your concern, there are several options you can discuss with your plastic surgeon at Faith Regional. If related ear, nose, throat, and other conditions are present, we work across multiple specialties and areas of expertise at Faith Regional for seamless services and care.

Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) 

Your plastic surgeon can treat these and other problems affecting the ear, including developmental or structural defects, which sometimes affect hearing. Ear surgery is generally performed as early as age 4 through pre-teen years and beyond. At Faith Regional, we treat ear conditions in children, adolescents, and adults of any age.

Ear conditions treated include:

  • Cupped ear (top ear rim deformity)
  • Ear injuries
  • Ears that uneven in size, shape, or position
  • Ears that are too large or out of proportion
  • Protruding or drooping ears
  • Large, stretched, torn, or creased earlobes
  • Other inner and outer ear deformities

Chin Surgery (Mentoplasty or Genioplasty)

Your plastic surgeon can move or reshape bones or place an implant to adjust the size, look, placement, or proportion of the chin. Surgeons sometimes move the jawline as part of mentoplasty or perform rhinoplasty (nose surgery) to restore balance to facial features.

Chin conditions treated include:

  • Chin too large
  • Chin “weak” or underdeveloped
  • Deformities present from birth
  • Chin injury or trauma
  • Sagging jowls, double-chin, and other concerns
  • Under- or over-defined chin or jawline

If you have an implant, your doctor will discuss the shape, placement, and other considerations before surgery. Most chin implants are made of silicone or other medical-grade materials.

Eyelid surgery (Blepharoplasty)

Plastic surgeons treat folds of skin over the eye and other conditions to improve the appearance of upper and lower eyelids and areas around the eyes.

Eyelid and eye area conditions treated include:

  • Excess or droopy skin on eyelids
  • Folds of skin that interfere with vision
  • Fatty deposits and puffy areas around the eyes
  • Bags under the eye

Meeting with the Plastic Surgeon

If you’re thinking about plastic and reconstructive surgery, your first step is to schedule a free consultation. You can meet with a board-certified plastic surgeon at Faith Regional. The surgeon will offer customized information, answers, and treatment recommendations to address your concerns.

Your surgeon may suggest other procedures, such as rhinoplasty (nose reshaping or reconstruction) or dermal fillers to balance prominent features or reshape and contour the face.

At Faith Regional, technology and tools such as customized 3D computer simulation can help you visualize, discuss or finetune your new look as you consider procedures.

Risks of Ear, Chin, and Eyelid Surgery

All surgery carries some risks, such as infection, bleeding, clots, or reaction to anesthesia. Your doctor will inform you of all the potential risks and benefits of your procedure.

Plastic surgery risks can include uneven results (asymmetry) or results not as expected. Other risks can include poor wound healing, change in skin sensation, discoloration or swelling, and other possible complications.

For chin implants, there’s a risk of lumps or thick scar tissue that can change the look or location of the implant. If you have eyelid surgery, additional risks include dry or irritated eyes, difficulty closing your eyes, vision changes, or injury to eye muscles.

Preparing for Surgery

Before the day of your procedure, your doctor and other practitioners will guide you and help you to plan and prepare. Preparing for surgery may include:

  • Lab testing and medical evaluation
  • Review and adjustment of medications
  • Instructions not to smoke in the days before your surgery
  • Discussion about the type and use of anesthesia
  • Post-operative care
  • Follow-up care

What to Expect if You’re Having Surgery

Your physician and care practitioners will direct you before and after your procedure. You’ll learn where to go, how to prepare, and what to expect before and after your surgery.

If you’re having general surgery, you may go to the outpatient surgery center or main operating room at Faith Regional Health Services.

Medication and Anesthesia

You’ll receive medications recommended by your surgeon which may include something to keep you comfortable before surgery. You’ll receive local anesthesia, IV sedation, or general anesthesia as discussed in your pre-surgery office visits.

Surgical Incisions and Techniques

Your surgeon will make incisions in the areas to be treated based on earlier discussions with you. The nature of incisions varies with each type of procedure or treatment plan. For example:

  • Ear surgery techniques:
    • Protruding ear correction may involve creating or increasing the fold just inside the rim of the ear and reducing enlarged cartilage in the external ear. When positioning the ear closer to the head, surgical incisions are either hidden behind the ear or within the natural creases of the ear.
    • Certain ear procedures require incisions on the back surface of the ear.
    • If incisions are needed on the front of the ear, your surgeon will place them within its folds so they’re less visible.
    • Your surgeon may use internal sutures to shape and secure the cartilage.
  • Chin surgery techniques:
    • Chin surgery requires different incisions based on your condition, treatment plan, and the surgeon’s recommended approach.
    • Your surgeon may make an incision under the chin for corrective skin surgery. For certain procedures, the surgeon may approach the chin area through an incision inside the mouth.
    • Your surgeon may move or reshape bone tissue or your jaw to correct a prominent or oversized chin.
    • Your surgeon may use liposuction to remove excess fatty tissue and contour the skin and facial area.
    • If you’re having a chin implant, the surgeon will place and secure the implant. Most chin implants are made of silicone or other medical-grade material.
  • Eye-related surgery techniques:
    • For upper eyelid surgery, the doctor may make incisions within the natural crease of your upper eyelid so they’re well concealed. Your surgeon will remove or reposition fat deposits, tighten muscles and remove excess skin.
    • For lower eyelid corrections, the incision may be located just below your lower lash line. Your surgeon may remove excess skin in the lower eyelid and remove fat or reshape fatty areas.
    • For certain lower eyelid procedures, the surgeon may make a transconjunctival incision on the inside of the lower eyelid. This is an alternate way to remove or reshape excess fat without removing any skin.

Your surgeon will close the incisions with surgical sutures, skin glue, or tape and add protective bandages.

After Your Surgery

During pre-surgery visits, your doctor will discuss your expected recovery process and time. Procedures are generally as follows:

  • You’re moved to a recovery room for monitoring as you awaken. If you’ve had outpatient surgery, you’ll need someone to drive you home after your procedure.
  • If you’ve had general surgery, you’ll be moved to a hospital room to rest and for a brief hospital stay. The surgeon will visit you to examine your condition and results and give you care instructions and guidance.
  • You can expect redness and swelling which will gradually subside. Your doctor may prescribe medication and discuss ways to manage any discomfort.
  • You’ll learn about home care, medications, and follow-up appointments.
  • If you have sutures, these will be removed within a week or so at a follow-up visit to your doctor’s office.
  • We encourage you to ask questions if anything is unclear. You’ll have 24/7 contact details.

Your Results

You can expect some redness and swelling at first, which will eventually subside. Most cosmetic or reconstructive procedures offer visible improvements shortly after surgery. Whether it’s relief from sagging skin around the eyes or improved and enhanced facial features you’ll see the difference.

  • For certain ear and chin reconstructive procedures, you may have surgical dressings that are left on to support the new structure while it heals. Your doctor and nurse will offer wound care instructions and other personal guidance.
  • If you’ve had eyelid surgery, the results will appear gradually as swelling and bruising subside. You’ll notice a smooth, well-defined eyelid and surrounding area. You should have a look that seems more alert and youthful.

Your Plastic Surgery Team

At Faith Regional, your plastic surgeon, a specialized nurse and other healthcare professionals such as an advanced care practitioner may be involved in your care.

Schedule a Consultation

You can reach us at 402-844-8167 or email frpsclinics@frhs.org to schedule an appointment.