Otoplasty in Boston

Restore your facial balance and sculpt symmetrical, natural-looking ears with an otoplasty in Boston by Dr. Ashley Lonergan. Her work is focused on preserving your unique identity, so your results will complement, not overpower, your authentic features.

Crafting a Beautiful Profile

If prominent or uneven ears are affecting your confidence, an otoplasty in Boston can rebalance your silhouette and help you feel more like yourself. In her work at the Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, Dr. Ashley Lonergan performs ear surgery for teens and adults seeking smooth, sculpted ears that sit naturally against their heads.

What Is an Otoplasty?

An otoplasty is a surgical procedure that reshapes or repositions the ears, most often to correct overprominence, improve symmetry, or refine an ear's natural fold. It's frequently pursued by patients whose ear position has affected their confidence for years, sometimes since childhood, but it can also be done after injury or trauma. While every patient has their own motivations for seeking surgery, many receive an otoplasty in Boston to achieve the following benefits:

Ears that sit closer and more naturally against the head
Improved symmetry between the left and right ears
Repaired earlobes after overstretching or an injury
Reduced self-consciousness in photos and everyday settings
Results that remain stable for life once healed

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The Dr. Lonergan Difference

When you choose Dr. Lonergan for your ear surgery in Boston, you choose an experience that’s grounded in clinical excellence and customized, compassionate care at every level. Dr. Lonergan earned her medical degree from Tufts University before completing her residency in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery at the University of California, Irvine. Her fellowship training at an elite plastic surgery center gave her the expertise to apply a full-face focus to every otoplasty she performs

Dr. Lonergan is the only female facial plastic surgery specialist practicing at Boston Center for Plastic Surgery, and she prioritizes personal connections with all patients, regardless of age. Every consultation includes a candid look at the degree of correction that will look natural for your specific ear shape and head size, so you leave with a plan tailored to your anatomy rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.

What to Expect From Your Ear Surgery in Boston

A Private Consultation

Your one-on-one consultation will include a close look at your ear cartilage and folds, and how each ear compares to the other, since most patients have some natural asymmetry. Dr. Lonergan will use this evaluation to map out a customized correction that reharmonizes the face without making your ears look identical or artificial.

Reshaping the Cartilage

During your procedure, Dr. Lonergan will reshape or fold the ear cartilage to reduce its prominence, placing sutures along the tissue to hold the new position as it heals. This technique preserves the natural texture and contour of your ear rather than flattening it entirely, creating more authentic-looking results.

Designed for Your Comfort

You’ll have the option of receiving local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia for your ear surgery in Boston. Dr. Lonergan will walk you through exactly what to expect well before your scheduled procedure date, so you feel informed and confident in your choice.

Minimal Scarring for a Natural Look

Otoplasties primarily use incisions along the natural crease behind your ear, keeping any resulting scar concealed from view once healing is complete. This strategic placement allows Dr. Lonergan to fully access and reshape your ear cartilage without leaving a visible trace of surgery.

Patient-First Recovery

Recovery after an otoplasty in Boston typically involves mild swelling, bruising, and tenderness for the first one to two weeks. Dr. Lonergan will provide you with a compression headband to wear for several days to protect your new ear position while it heals. Most of Dr. Lonergan’s Boston patients returned to normal daily activities, including social gatherings, work or school for teens, and light movement, within about a week. You should avoid contact sports or any activity that risks a direct blow to the ears for at least six weeks to prevent disruptions to your healing.

Your Post-Op Process

After your procedure, Dr. Lonergan will share a recovery plan built around your specific needs. This plan will typically cover the following:

Compression headband wear instructions
Incision site care and cleaning requirements
Sleep position restrictions
Activity limitations, including sports and swimming
Sun exposure and protection protocols
Side effects to monitor
Hygiene recommendations

You'll return to Dr. Lonergan's Boston office for regular follow-up appointments over the coming weeks. There, she’ll assess your healing progress, remove any remaining sutures, and approve you to resume high-impact activity, such as intense exercise and contact sports.

A Refreshed, Balanced Silhouette

The results of your ear surgery in Boston will slowly take shape as swelling fades, revealing ears that sit naturally against the head. The healing process may take several weeks, after which you’ll enjoy lasting balance and symmetry between your ears, avoiding overcorrected or artificial-looking results.

Woman smiling with hand on shoulder | Pink flowers

Otoplasty Frequently Asked Questions

Can my child undergo an otoplasty?

While otoplasties can be performed on children as young as five years old, Dr. Lonergan does not operate on patients younger than 15 years of age. She regularly welcomes teen patients who wish to adjust their ear shape, size, or position.

Will an otoplasty leave a visible scar?

No. Dr. Lonergan places incisions behind the ear, so any resulting scar is well hidden from typical viewing angles. Most patients find their scars fade significantly and become difficult to notice within the first year.

Is otoplasty only for prominent ears?

No. Ear surgery can also address concerns other than overprominence, including asymmetry, an overly large ear fold, injured cartilage, or uneven ear protrusion on each side. Dr. Lonergan will discuss which specific concerns your procedure can address during your initial consultation.

Are otoplasty results permanent?

Yes. Once your ears have fully healed, the repositioning achieved through otoplasty is considered permanent. Cartilage does not typically revert to its original position after this type of reshaping procedure, but future injury or trauma can alter your ear shape.