Ear (Otoplasty) Surgery Post-Operative Instructions

Instructions

Have someone drive you home after surgery and help you at home for 1-2 days.
Get plenty of rest.
Follow balanced diet.
Decreased activity may promote constipation, so you may want to add more raw fruit to your diet, and be sure to increase fluid intake.
Take pain medication as prescribed. Do not take aspirin or any products containing aspirin unless approved by your surgeon.
Do not drink alcohol when taking pain medications.
Even when not taking pain medications, no alcohol for 3 weeks as it causes fluid retention.
If you are taking vitamins with iron, resume these as tolerated.
Do not smoke, as smoking delays healing and increases the risk of complications.

Usually, you will be up and around a few hours after surgery.
Start walking as soon as possible, as this helps to reduce swelling and lowers the chance of blood clots.
Do not drive until you are no longer taking any pain medications (narcotics).
Children can go back to school after 7 days, if they are careful about playground activity.
Adults can go back to work approximately 5 days after surgery, depending upon the occupation.
You may resume full social activities in 5-10 days.
Avoid any activity in which the ear might be bent for approximately a month.
You may resume strenuous activity and contact sports in 1-2 months.

Avoid exposing scars to sun for at least 12 months.
Always use a strong sunblock, if sun exposure is unavoidable (SPF 30 or greater).
Keep steri-strips on.
Keep incisions clean and inspect daily for signs of infection.
Wear turban-style dressings and bandages for 3-4 days. After that, wear a clean headband at night for 3-6 weeks.
You may shampoo your hair in 5 days, or as advised by your doctor.

Temporary throbbing, aching, swelling, redness and numbness.
Large pressure dressings and bandages are applied around the ears and head, turban style.
Some swelling and bruising may last 10-14 days.
Some numbness may exist around the operative areas.
Tenderness could last up to 3 months.

Usually, there will be a faint scar in the back of the ear that will eventually fade.
Do not expect both ears to match perfectly, as perfect symmetry is unlikely and unnatural in ears.

If you have increased swelling or bruising.
If swelling and redness persist after a few days.
If you have increased redness along the incision.
If you have severe or increased pain not relieved by medication.
If you have any side effects to medications; such as, rash, nausea, headache, vomiting.
If you have an oral temperature over 100.4 degrees.
If you have any yellowish or greenish drainage from the incisions or notice a foul odor.
If you have bleeding from the incisions that is difficult to control with light pressure.
If you have loss of feeling or motion.
If a blood clot forms on the ear.

(734) 998-6022, Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
After hours and on weekends, call Hospital Paging at (734) 936-6267 and ask for the Plastic Surgeon on call.