If you are not satisfied with the appearance of your ears, there is plastic surgery to fix them, and it's called otoplasty. Whether they are misshapen, misaligned, or the wrong size for your head, you don't have to live with the issue. In fact, this operation can fix nearly any problem, even if it has existed since birth. However, like any other procedure, there are some risks.

There are many methods to this type of treatment, which means there are just as many risks. One common method involves taking cartilage from one part of your body to place it where your ears are and mold the two together. Though quite convenient, the fact that two surgeries are required means that there may be a double risk of something going wrong, so keep this in mind.

Most of the otoplasty risks are the same as those in any other type of surgery. There is the chance of more scarring than desired, excessive bleeding, bruising, and infection. Signs of any of these should be mentioned to a doctor immediately, and are all considered temporary.

There is also a risk of the ears not turning out the way the patient expected. Though not necessarily dangerous, this is an unsatisfactory result that could require more surgery to correct.

Additionally, during the recovery period, there is the chance that the new ear could break if prosthetics were involved, and if it was another method of surgery, the sutures could loosen. Clearly this has little to do with the procedure itself, but more so with not being careful enough during recovery.

Some patients experience blood clots with this type of operation. If you have one, it can be removed simply with a needle, or it may go away on its own. Either way, you should talk to your doctor if you suspect you have one or more clots.

The risks in otoplasty are no more than with other surgery types. Luckily, most of them can be fixed by a doctor rather quickly, or even go away on their own. In fact, bruising, swelling, and some bleeding are to be expected for a short period with nearly any kind of operation, and so should not deter anyone from this type.

Some patients worry about loss of hearing as a result of this procedure, but fortunately, it very rarely happens. This operation involves simply the appearance of the ears, not the inner part, and any experienced doctor should be able to avoid disruption of hearing abilities.