About Plastic Surgery

Cleft Lip Repair

• The cleft lip is brought together and stitched to create a normal "cupid's bow" shape to the upper lip
• Child is seen in the Craniofacial Clinic which features visits from multiple different doctors to provide complete care
• Most insurance companies will cover the reconstruction
• Typically performed at 10 weeks of age
• Operating room procedure
• Recovery time is one or two nights in the hospital with two to four weeks for decreased swelling

Cleft Palate Repair

• Tissue is drawn together from both sides of the cleft to rebuild the roof of the mouth
• Child is seen in the Craniofacial Clinic which features visits from multiple different doctors to provide complete care
• Most insurance companies will cover the reconstruction
• Typically performed at 9 to 18 months of age
• Operating room procedure
• Recovery time is two to four nights in the hospital with two to four weeks for decreased swelling

Nasal Reconstruction

• Reshaping nose to gain natural appearance after cleft lip
• Typically performed in the teens
• Operating room procedure

Ear Reshaping (Otoplasty)

• Reshaping ears to regain folds
• Placing ears closer to the scalp to decrease prominence
• Typically performed before school age 5-7 years
• Operating room procedure
• Recovery time one to two weeks