If considering facial plastic surgery, make sure your doctor is a reputable member of an organization of surgeons, such as the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (AAFPRS), and has privileges to perform procedures at a local hospital or ambulatory center.

AAFPRS surgeons perform cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, head and neck only. Training includes one or two years of post-graduate training in general surgery residency and at least four additional years of specialty training in head and neck surgery and facial plastic surgery. They are board certified by boards recognized by the American Board of Medical Specialties (ABMS) and are usually board certified in otolaryngology.

Dr. Ronald Shealy is a board certified otolaryngologist and a member of the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He specializes in plastic surgery of the nose and ears. For more information about facial plastic surgery or to schedule a consultation with Dr. Shealy, please call our Winston-Salem office.

Surgery of the Nose

Each year thousands of people undergo surgery of the nose. Nasal surgery may be performed for cosmetic purposes or a combination procedure to improve both form and function. It also may alleviate or cure nasal breathing problems, correct deformities from birth or injury, or support an aging, drooping nose.

Patients who are considering nasal surgery for any reason should seek a doctor who is a specialist in nasal airway function, as well as plastic surgery. This will ensure that efficient breathing is as high a priority as appearance.

Plastic Surgery of the Ear

Protruding and drooping ears or torn earlobes can be surgically corrected. Exceptionally large ears or those that stick out make children vulnerable to teasing. These procedures do not alter the patient’s hearing, but they may improve appearance and self-confidence.

“Pinning back” the ears is a corrective surgery called otoplasty and should be considered on ears that stick out more than 4/5 of an inch from the back of the head. It can be performed at any age after the ears have reached full size, usually at five or six years of age. Having surgery at a young age has two benefits: the cartilage is more pliable, making it easier to reshape, and the child will experience the psychological benefits of the cosmetic improvement. However, a patient may have the surgery at any age.