Otoplasty, or ear surgery, reshapes, resizes, and repositions the ears to correct ears that stick out, fixes genetic deformities, and improves symmetry. It offers permanent results to enhance facial balance. Considering the important role ears play, it is essential to be careful during the recovery period to maintain their new shape and minimize downtime.
Following your surgeon’s post-operative instructions ensures effective healing, prevents complications, and leads to optimal outcomes.
Post-operative Instructions for Otoplasty Healing
After the surgery
- Stay in bed after getting home and continue resting for the next 24 hours. Only get up to use the restroom with help.
- Sleep on your back. Keep your head and knees elevated with 3 to 4 pillows for the first couple of weeks. Sleeping on your side can exert pressure on your ears.
- The surgeon will place a large dressing around the head that covers both ears completely for the first 24 hours. This dressing helps reduce swelling, keeps the ears in their new position, and protects them from accidental movements or injuries while you are still numb or sleepy.
- This dressing is usually removed at your first follow-up visit, and you will get a headband or protective cups. The headband or protective cups are intended for your comfort and as a reminder to observe caution after surgery. They protect stitches, support your ears during healing, and prevent them from folding forward during sleep.
- You may not be able to hear things normally in the first few days, due to the dressing and protective cups over your ears.
- Do not lie in bed all day. Get up and walk around as you feel better. Even when lying in bed, keep moving your legs and ankles and take deep breaths. It is important for normal blood circulation and to reduce the risk of blood clots.
- The initial 3 to 5 days after surgery are tough. You will experience discomfort and swelling before starting to feel better.
- Avoid pull-over clothing for two weeks. Pulling clothes over your head can bend or fold ears, put pressure on the stitches, disrupt the healing cartilage, or cause pain or swelling. Wear shirts that button or zip up from the front or back.
- Do not plan any dental procedures for at least 1 month after surgery to avoid complications and infections.
- Avoid wearing reading glasses or sunglasses for the first two weeks. If it’s necessary, be very careful to avoid putting too much pressure on your newly treated areas.
Caring for your incisions
- After Otoplasty, your surgeon may close the incisions with dissolvable or non-dissolvable sutures. While dissolvable sutures break down on their own within a few days and do not need to be removed, non-dissolvable sutures are taken out about 5 to 10 days after surgery.
- Keep your incisions clean and check daily for signs of infection.
- Do not pull your ears away from the side of your head. It can damage the sutures that are holding your wounds together. It may cause bleeding or swelling, and your ears may shift out of position.
- Avoid exposing your ears to the sun for at least 12 months. Always use a sunblock with SPF 30 if going outdoors, and wear a wide-brimmed hat. Even a mild sunburn can worsen swelling, irritate a healing incision, and lead to permanent scar discoloration.
- Do not smoke or take any nicotine products. They constrict blood vessels, which in turn reduces blood flow to the healing tissues, and increases complications, affecting your surgery results.
- Keep wearing the protective cups or shield for as long as instructed by your surgeon. They should fit snugly, but not be too tight to develop wounds or blisters from the compression.
- Gently clean the incision line with a cotton swab dipped in hydrogen peroxide as instructed by your surgeon.
- Only use the antibiotic ointments or gel prescribed by your surgeon. Do not use any other product on your incisions without talking to your doctor first.
- Use baby shampoo only, do not blow-dry your hair or use styling products for one week.
What to expect?
- Pain and discomfort – You will experience pain, soreness, pressure, and tightness around the ears for several weeks following surgery as you recover. Temporary throbbing, reduced sensation, and numbness may also occur as nerves regenerate over time. Tenderness could last for months. Sensory changes in the skin are also normal and subside after a few weeks.
- Drainage – You will notice some drainage from the incision sites for the first week. It will be tinged with blood. Use a light pad or gauze to absorb this fluid.
- Bruising – You will notice bruising around the surgical sites. Most bruises heal in about 2 to 3 weeks. They change color from purple to yellow, green shades as they resolve.
- Swelling – Swelling around the ears and face can last for weeks and sometimes months, but varies from person to person. It improves with intermittent rest and the use of a headband. Avoid rigorous exercise and physical activity as it can worsen swelling.
- Itching – Itching at the incision sites is normal for a few days. It can be managed with an over-the-counter medication.
Do not expect both ears to match perfectly, as natural ears are never identical. Otoplasty aims to enhance balance and appearance, not create absolute symmetry.
What to eat?
- Start with a light, low-fat diet immediately after surgery. If you do not feel dizzy or nauseous, you can resume your routine diet.
- Avoid greasy, fried, spicy, and processed foods during the initial recovery period.
- Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water daily to maintain hydration levels. Surgery can lead to dehydration, which can cause nausea and dizziness.
- Stay away from alcohol for the next few weeks.
- Avoid chewing hard foods for the next few weeks, as it can put a strain on incisions.
- Do not take your medications with alcohol.
Medications
- Regularly take all medications as prescribed by your surgeon, including antibiotics and pain medications, to prevent infections and ensure a comfortable recovery.
- Always take your medications with food to prevent nausea and vomiting.
- Only use the specialized products for healing scars as directed by your surgeon. Using unapproved creams or home remedies may irritate the incision sites, delay healing, or negatively impact the appearance of your scars.
- Do not take any medications without talking to your doctor first.
Showering after Otoplasty
- You may take a shower after your first follow-up visit, when your dressings are removed. Follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding taking off the protective cups and shampooing your hair.
- Do not submerge incisions under water until the incisions have healed completely and no scabs are left.
- Do not rub or pull your ears forward while showering.
- Replace the protective cups or compression headband after a shower.
- Stay away from tub baths and Jacuzzis until your incisions have healed or as approved by your surgeon. They have more bacteria than regular swimming pools, which can lead to infections.
Physical activities
- You can get back to normal daily activities a few days after surgery, depending on your recovery and level of comfort.
- Avoid bending, straining, or lifting anything heavy for at least two weeks. Only take light walks around the house to promote circulation and prevent stiffness.
- Do not empty the dishwasher, do laundry, mop, broom, vacuum, or perform any activity that increases pressure in your head or disrupts internal sutures that are holding your ears in their new position.
- You can resume light exercise 2 to 3 weeks after surgery and build back up to your previous exercise levels. Avoid strenuous workouts until fully cleared by your surgeon.
- Most patients can return to work 5 to 7 days after surgery, depending on their job responsibilities and the surgeon’s guidance.
- Start with a part-time schedule and gradually increase your hours to reduce the risk of complications and achieve optimal results.
Call your doctor’s office if you notice unusual symptoms, develop hearing issues, or any changes in the appearance of your ears. Talking to a healthcare professional can help address any problems early and promote safe and effective healing.
Conditions that require emergency care
Call 911 immediately if you experience any of the following:
- Intense pain that does not get better with pain medications
- Increased or sudden onset of swelling in one or both ears
- Redness or warmth on the incision site
- Excessive drainage on dressings
- Incisions that appear to be opening
- Bleeding that does not stop with pressure
- Lightheadedness or dizziness
- Allergic reaction, such as rash or itching
- Temperature above 101.8°F
- Shakes and chills
- Breathing issues
Timely medical attention plays a crucial role in minimizing issues and ensuring smooth recovery.