Dr. Luciano Ríos Lara
- Board certified by the Mexican Board of Plastic Surgery
- Trained at UNAM and Hospital General de México
- Teaches plastic surgery residents
Facial and neck surgery · CDMX
Ear surgery in Mexico City
Ears in harmony with your face, so you can wear your hair any way you like.
Otoplasty, or ear surgery, corrects protruding ears and can reduce overly large ears by reshaping the cartilage so the ears sit closer to the head. It is performed in Mexico City for children and adults.
Results
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Real patients of Dr. Ríos Lara, published with their consent.
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Your safety
What if something goes wrong? Here is what protects you
A certified hospital
Your surgery takes place at Hospital Ángeles Clínica Londres in Roma Norte, Mexico City, under national and international safety protocols. The facility is also cardio-protected.
If a complication happens, we're with you
The doctor provides all the care you need with no additional surgeon's fees. Only extra hospital costs, if any, are covered by you.
Risks, explained honestly
- Expected, temporary effects: throbbing, pain, swelling, redness and numbness.
- A collection of blood (hematoma) that may need to be drained.
- Cartilage infection.
- Excessive scarring behind the ear.
- Asymmetry between the ears or an unnatural look.
- Partial return of the protrusion, which may require revision surgery.
Why patients travel from the US
Content pending. This section is pending content reviewed by the doctor.
Is it for me?
Everything you need to know, in one place
Quick facts
- Duration
- About 2 hours
- Anesthesia
- General or local with sedation
- Hospital stay
- Outpatient
- Recovery
- 1 to 2 months
- Back to work
- 5 to 7 days
- Results last
- Generally permanent
What is ear surgery?
Protruding ears usually happen because the cartilage did not form one of its natural folds, or because the bowl of the ear (the concha) is unusually deep. They do not affect hearing, but they can lead to teasing in childhood and self-consciousness later in life.
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Otoplasty sets prominent ears back and, when needed, reduces the size of large ears. The cartilage is reshaped with internal sutures that create or reinforce the natural fold, and part of the concha may be reduced. The incision is typically placed behind the ear, in the crease where it meets the head, so the scar stays hidden.
The goal is not to pin the ears flat, but to make them look proportionate and natural from the front and in profile, with both ears as symmetrical as possible.
Because the cartilage is reshaped and secured in its new position, results are generally permanent. In the first few weeks, though, the cartilage is still vulnerable, so the ears need protection with a compression headband and should not be bumped or folded during sleep. Ears are never perfectly identical by nature, so small differences after surgery are normal.
Who is it for?
Otoplasty is commonly performed on children once the ear has reached close to its adult size, which usually happens in the early school years. Correcting it at that age can spare a child from teasing. It is also an option for teens and adults who never had their ears corrected. Because adult cartilage is firmer, the technique may be adjusted, but the goal and recovery are similar. Otoplasty can also treat asymmetric ears, where only one ear sticks out.
For children, it matters that they want the surgery and can follow aftercare, including wearing a headband. Families traveling to Mexico City should plan for the first follow-up visit before flying home.
You may be a candidate if…
- Your ears (or your child’s) stick out from the head or are disproportionately large.
- For children: the ears have reached close to adult size and the child can follow instructions.
- You are in good health, with no untreated ear infections.
- Adults do not smoke, or can stop around the time of surgery.
- You want proportionate ears, understanding they will not be identical.
- You can wear a compression headband for the recommended weeks.
Your procedure, step by step
- Consultationyour surgeon evaluates cartilage shape, how far each ear projects and the symmetry between them.
- Anesthesiafor young children, usually general anesthesia; for older children and adults, local anesthesia with sedation or general anesthesia.
- Surgerythrough an incision behind the ear, the cartilage is reshaped with internal sutures and, if needed, part of the concha is reduced.
- Closure and dressingthe incision is closed and a dressing holds the ears in their new position.
- Same-day dischargeyou receive care instructions and a date to remove the dressing and switch to a compression headband.
Recovery
How you'll feel, stage by stage
- First few days
A throbbing sensation, pain, swelling, redness or numbness in the ears is normal. The initial dressing stays on.
- Week 1
Most patients can return to school or work within five to seven days.
- Weeks 1 to 4
A special compression headband is worn for four weeks to protect the result.
- Months 1 to 2
More strenuous activities, such as contact sports, can resume after one to two months.
Common questions
What patients ask us most
Does otoplasty hurt?
Surgery takes about 2 hours under anesthesia: usually general for young children, and local with sedation or general for older children and adults. In the first few days, a throbbing sensation, pain, swelling, redness or numbness in the ears is normal.
How long is recovery after otoplasty?
Recovery takes 1 to 2 months. Most patients can return to school or work within five to seven days, and a compression headband is worn for four weeks. Contact sports can resume after one to two months.
Does ear surgery leave a scar?
The incision is typically placed behind the ear, in the crease where it meets the head, so the scar stays hidden. Excessive scarring behind the ear is one of the possible risks.
Are otoplasty results permanent?
Because the cartilage is reshaped and secured in its new position, results are generally permanent. In the first few weeks, though, the ears need protection with a compression headband and should not be bumped.
What age can a child have ear pinning surgery?
Once the ear has reached close to its adult size, which usually happens in the early school years. It matters that the child wants the surgery and can follow aftercare. Otoplasty is also an option for teens and adults.
What are the risks of otoplasty?
Expected, temporary effects include throbbing, pain, swelling and numbness. Risks include hematoma, cartilage infection, excessive scarring, asymmetry between the ears and partial return of the protrusion, which may require revision surgery.
How much does otoplasty cost in Mexico?
Pricing depends on your case and is confirmed at your consultation. At that visit, your surgeon evaluates cartilage shape, how far each ear projects and the symmetry between them.
How long should I stay in Mexico City after otoplasty?
It depends on how your recovery goes and on your follow-up visits, including the one where the dressing is removed. Your surgeon will define the length of your stay with you at your consultation.
Price
How much does ear surgery cost in Mexico?
Price range to be confirmed
Your final price depends on your case. You'll get it in writing at your consultation, with everything it includes.
Get my quoteWhere we operate
Mexico City
Hospital Ángeles Clínica LondresFrontera 74, Consultorio 515
Roma Norte, Ciudad de México
Phone: 55 6232 9139
Getting here
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Your next step
Book your consultation
- Leave your details. Just name, email and phone; nothing medical.
- We contact you to choose a day and time.
- Consultation with the doctor: he reviews your case, answers your questions and gives you your quote.