What Happens to Ears During a Facelift

Dear Dr. Yang,

Many thanks for your kind response to my questions during the last two week. I have another one for you.

I have had a traditional facelift with dissolvable stitches all around my ear , plus staples in the hairline behind the ears up to my temple.

What happens to the ears during a facelift, are they actually detached from the head and sewn back on. Is the repositioning a question of where the surgeon thinks they should go?

Some people have more upright ears and others are more slanted back.
Just wondered if there was any criteria by which the surgeon would remember how they were positioned.

Would be grateful if you could enlighten me.

Rosie

 

Hi Rosie,

You’re welcome.
What happens to the ears during a facelift, are they actually detached from the head and sewn back on. Is the repositioning a question of where the surgeon thinks they should go?

Some people have more upright ears and others are more slanted back.
Just wondered if there was any criteria by which the surgeon would remember how they were positioned.

The ears are not detached from the head and sewn back on. The ears don’t actually move. The skin around the ear is separated from the cheek and neck. The outer ear is centered on the ear canal, if the ear truly moved positions the ear “hole” may not line up with the ear canal, then you can’t hear. This doesn’t happen. So in theory, the ears should not move after a facelift. But you are correct in that it appears that the ears can rotate, or slant back. When this happens it’s called a pixie ear.

Read my pixie ears post: http://messageboards.makemeheal.com/vie … hp?t=64307

I also have a second post about why I think this happens: http://messageboards.makemeheal.com/vie … hp?t=64326

The ears and earlobes should be returned to the exact position that they were prior to surgery. Here is an example of one of my patients.

Best,

Dr. Yang