What Is Ear Surgery?

Ear surgery, medically known as otoplasty, reshapes or repositions the ears to create a more symmetrical, natural appearance. Most often, it's performed to set prominent or protruding ears closer to the head, though otoplasty can also address ear size, symmetry, and other structural concerns unique to each patient. Whether for a child or an adult, we’ll customize your procedure to suit your individual anatomy and goals rather than following a single standard approach.

Side profile of a young woman showing her ear area

Redefining Ear Symmetry

Ear surgery goes beyond simply "pinning back" the ears to bring lasting comfort and confidence. Here, our patients come to us to achieve the following:

  • Ears set closer to the head for a more balanced profile
  • Reduced size for large or overly prominent ears
  • Improved symmetry between the ears
  • Greater comfort with hairstyles and headwear
  • Renewed confidence for children and adults alike

Ear Surgery for Children

Children often benefit the most from early intervention, since prominent or protruding ears can lead to teasing that affects their self-esteem well into adulthood. Once a child's ears reach full size, usually between five and six years of age, otoplasty can be performed safely and effectively. 

Dr. Merriman takes a gentle, reassuring approach with young patients and their families, walking parents through every step so both they and their child feel comfortable and informed before moving forward. We recommend scheduling your child’s ear surgery during school breaks to avoid interruptions to their education while they recover. 

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Are You a Candidate for Ear Surgery?

Ideal candidates for ear surgery in Valdosta, GA, are healthy individuals, whether children or adults, who feel their ear shape, size, or projection affects their appearance or confidence. For children, candidacy typically begins once the ears have reached their full size, usually between the ages of five and six. During your consultation, Dr. Merriman will assess your ear structure and cartilage flexibility to confirm your candidacy and recommend the most appropriate technique for your situation.

The PSAV Difference

When you choose Plastic Surgery Associates of Valdosta for your ear surgery, you choose an experience grounded in clinical excellence and patient safety at every level. Your procedure will be performed in our state-licensed, Medicare-certified, and QUAD A-accredited facility, so your care never leaves our hands. With us, you’ll enjoy private treatment rooms and personalized attention from our all-female team every step of the way. Your otoplasty will be performed by our founder, Dr. Sonya Merriman, who brings more than 30 years of surgical experience to every procedure and is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. She tailors her surgical approach individually for children and adults, since each requires a distinct technique and level of correction.

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Our Patients Own Words

4.9 stars from 276 Google reviews

5 out of 5 stars

Very professional. Excellent care!

Very professional. Excellent care! 1 to 10 rating, I would give this entire staff and Dr. Merriman a 10, hands down. We live 2 hours away, but coming here was the best decision....

Very professional. Excellent care! 1 to 10 rating, I would give this entire staff and Dr. Merriman a 10, hands down. We live 2 hours away, but coming here was the best decision. I am very pleased with my results.

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5 out of 5 stars

Absolutely LOVE this place!!

Absolutely LOVE this place!! I’ve been coming here for over 10 years and recently moved to Tallahassee, Florida. However, that still does not stop me from seeing Dr. Merriman. T...

Absolutely LOVE this place!! I’ve been coming here for over 10 years and recently moved to Tallahassee, Florida. However, that still does not stop me from seeing Dr. Merriman. The entire staff is also absolutely professional, very thorough, and extremely warming so much so that it literally feels like a family. And you don’t get that very many places, so I will forever continue to come here and only here. And highly recommended !!!

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5 out of 5 stars

The staff was unbelievable, and Dr. Merriman was fantastic.

Having never been to a plastic surgeon before, I had no idea what to expect. I cannot express enough how impressed I was with the treatment I received. I was made to feel comfor...

Having never been to a plastic surgeon before, I had no idea what to expect. I cannot express enough how impressed I was with the treatment I received. I was made to feel comfortable the minute I walked in the door. The staff was unbelievable, and Dr. Merriman was fantastic. I was made to feel as if I had known them my entire life. The reason I give a 5-star rating is because I don't see a 10-star rating. lol. Thank you, ladies, so much for the service you provide and the manner in which you provide care.

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5 out of 5 stars

Honestly can not say enough good things about this office.

Honestly can not say enough good things about this office. The entire staff is welcoming & warm. I never feel self-conscious about anything, nor have I ever been made to fee...

Honestly can not say enough good things about this office. The entire staff is welcoming & warm. I never feel self-conscious about anything, nor have I ever been made to feel afraid about asking questions. I literally drive 1.5 hours from home to see Pam, Ashli & Melanie for all my treatments. I wouldn’t go anywhere else!!

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5 out of 5 stars

I am very pleased with the results!!

I have been very pleased with all the services I receive at Sonya Merriman; everyone is so friendly and professional. I have had a light chemical peel, microneedling, and hydraf...

I have been very pleased with all the services I receive at Sonya Merriman; everyone is so friendly and professional. I have had a light chemical peel, microneedling, and hydrafacial by Amy, who is fantastic. She is extremely knowledgeable and provides suggestions to get the results I want without making me feel pressured or uncomfortable. I am very pleased with the results!!

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5 out of 5 stars

I had a great experience with my procedure!!!

I had a great experience with my procedure!!! This clinic loves its patients! The compassion that is shown is awesome! 🤩 Yes, indeed, I will be back! Excellent professionalism,...

I had a great experience with my procedure!!! This clinic loves its patients! The compassion that is shown is awesome! 🤩 Yes, indeed, I will be back! Excellent professionalism, dedication to patients, and you feel well taken care of from the first to the finish!

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5 out of 5 stars

Highly recommend Mrs. Sonya Merriman’s office.

Highly recommend Mrs. Sonya Merriman’s office. I had my breast augmentation done a couple of days ago, and I couldn’t ask for a better experience than the one I had! Everyone in...

Highly recommend Mrs. Sonya Merriman’s office. I had my breast augmentation done a couple of days ago, and I couldn’t ask for a better experience than the one I had! Everyone in the office is absolutely fantastic, definitely feel like family once you leave. Liz was great at going over everything with me before my consultation. Dr. Sonya came in and talked to me for a good 20 minutes and explained to me the different implants, what she would do, etc., asked for her opinion on my size, and I felt completely comfortable!! Kelley was my nurse, and she was great!! She helped answer any questions my husband and I had before I went back. Also, Dr. Sonya’s husband was the anesthesiologist and was so kind! He’s the last person I remember talking to before I was out, haha. I love how they call and check on you after your surgery, and if there is anything you may need. My recovery so far has been absolutely amazing, and I couldn’t have done without their support and instructions on what to do after surgery. I highly recommend their office for everything ❤️ definitely will be back!

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5 out of 5 stars

I highly recommend their office.

I count myself lucky to have had the opportunity to get my procedure done with Dr. Merriman. I had breast augmentation six months ago (lift and implants). Initially, I felt appr...

I count myself lucky to have had the opportunity to get my procedure done with Dr. Merriman. I had breast augmentation six months ago (lift and implants). Initially, I felt apprehensive about the process. Fear of the unknown, I suppose. But at Valdosta Plastic Surgery, the process was laid out step-by-step. Everyone was kind, helpful, and made sure I received answers to any questions I may have. From the start, there were no surprises about costs or timelines. That was laid out nicely for me in the initial callback I received in response to my online consultation request. Dr. Merriman was sure to tell me about the risks and took the time during the initial office consultation to listen/look at my desired outcome. Again and again, I was reminded that if I had any questions, then I could reach out to Dr. Merriman directly after the surgery. They made me feel so comfortable that I reached out two times to ask a question. I received immediate responses. In the end, recovery was a piece of cake. Though Dr. Merriman will tell you that it is different for everyone. I thought the instructions I received for managing the recovery were spot on. It has now been 6 months since the surgery, and the outcome is better than everything I had hoped for. They are symmetrical, even, I have feelings in both nipples, and the size is exactly what I had hoped for. Interestingly, she used one size bigger than what was initially considered. I attribute that to Dr. Merriman's keen eye for aesthetics and high level of experience. She had seen what outcome I had envisioned, and during surgery, she fit me with the right size to achieve the look that I was hoping for. I am so glad that I decided on Valdosta Plastic Surgery. I highly recommend their office. I count myself lucky to have had the opportunity to get my procedure done with Dr. Merriman.

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5 out of 5 stars

Baylee is amazing and very thorough with her work.

Baylee is amazing and very thorough with her work. I couldn’t have asked for a better aesthetician. And Mrs. Carolyn is such a sweetheart, always makes me feel welcomed & co...

Baylee is amazing and very thorough with her work. I couldn’t have asked for a better aesthetician. And Mrs. Carolyn is such a sweetheart, always makes me feel welcomed & comfortable as soon as I walk in those doors. (The entire staff here makes you feel safe.) Although I haven’t had the pleasure of meeting Dr. Merriman, she has a wonderful team & establishment built. I look forward to coming back every time and will 100% come here for any future work I plan on having done! ❤️❤️❤️

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5 out of 5 stars

I will never go anywhere else.

I will never go anywhere else. The staff at Plastic Surgery Associates make sure all of your needs are met and go above and beyond! I’ve never had a bad experience, and I know I...

I will never go anywhere else. The staff at Plastic Surgery Associates make sure all of your needs are met and go above and beyond! I’ve never had a bad experience, and I know I never will. They truly want to know their customers!

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A Confidential Consultation

Your ear surgery journey will begin with a private, one-on-one consultation where Dr. Merriman will evaluate your ear shape, size, and projection, regardless of whether you’re an adult or with your child. She'll walk you through which technique best fits your specific concerns and answer every question about your procedure, recovery, and expected results. You'll leave with a clear, honest understanding of what to expect, without any pressure to commit before you or your child is ready.

Pricing Your Procedure

The cost of your ear surgery in Valdosta, GA, will depend on several factors, including the following: 

  • Surgical complexity
  • Extent of correction
  • Whether the patient is a child or an adult
  • Technique used
  • Whether additional procedures will be performed in the same session

We'll provide you with a full, itemized quote after your initial consultation, along with financing options to help make the procedure more accessible.

What to Expect From Your Ear Surgery in Valdosta, GA

Ear surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia with sedation for adults, or general anesthesia for younger children who need to remain completely still. During surgery, Dr. Merriman makes strategic incisions behind the ear to minimize visible scarring, then reshapes the cartilage and repositions the ear closer to the head or adjusts its size and symmetry as needed. Incisions are closed with fine sutures to promote smooth healing, and the procedure is typically completed within one to two hours.

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Patient-First Recovery, Natural-Looking Results

Mild swelling, tenderness, and some bruising around the ears are common in the first week following surgery. A protective headband or dressing is usually worn for several days to support proper healing, and most patients, including children, return to school or light daily activities within a week.

Strenuous activity, contact sports, and swimming should be avoided for at least four weeks to protect your ears as they heal. Your new ear position and shape will become clearer as residual swelling fades, with your final results typically visible within a few months.

Your Guide to Ear Surgery

Achieving Your Desired Look

Many adult patients in Tifton, Waycross, Albany, and Valdosta choose to pair ear surgery with other facial procedures for a more complete rejuvenation in a single recovery period.

Complementary treatments include the following:

  • Facelift
  • Brow lift
  • Rhinoplasty
  • Chin augmentation

Dr. Merriman will help determine which option, or combination, is safe for your body and best fits your goals during your consultation.

Ear Surgery Frequently Asked Questions

At what age can a child safely have ear surgery?

Most children are candidates for ear surgery once their ears have reached nearly full size, which typically occurs between the ages of five and six. During your consultation, Dr. Merriman will evaluate your child's development to determine the appropriate timing for surgery.

Will ear surgery scars be visible?

Ear surgery incisions are usually placed behind the ear, where they are well concealed. As healing progresses, the scars typically fade significantly over time. Dr. Merriman uses meticulous surgical techniques to help keep scarring as discreet as possible.

Can adults still benefit from ear surgery even later in life?

Yes. Adults of all ages can be excellent candidates for ear surgery because ear cartilage remains correctable throughout adulthood. Dr. Merriman will evaluate your ear anatomy, skin quality, and goals to determine the most appropriate surgical approach.

Confidence starts with a conversation.

Meet with us and discover a clinic where we focus on creating natural-looking results in every procedure.

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