What are the do's and don'ts after ear surgery?
You should follow all your doctor's recommendations for the success of prominent ear surgery.
What to do before otoplasty surgery?
- Patients should convey their requests and expectations to the doctor.
- The doctor should understand the patient's expectations and wishes.
- The size, structure, proportion and symmetry of the ears to the face should be taken into consideration during the physical examination.
- In order to compare the studies performed during the surgery and the results of the surgery, photos of the patient's ears should be taken.
- An anesthesiologist should be consulted before the surgery.
- Blood tests should be performed before the surgery.
- Nothing should be eaten or drunk the night before and the morning of the surgery.
- More attention should be paid to the diet before the surgery.
- Blood thinners such as aspirin should be stopped two weeks before the surgery.
- Smoking and alcohol should be stopped 2-3 weeks before the surgery.
- A companion should be provided to accompany you.
Recovery period after the otoplasty (ear easthetic surgery)
In the first days after the surgery, there may be swelling and edoema in the ears; bruising rarely occurs, but these disappear over time. It leaves a light scar behind the ear that gradually fades. The results after the operation are permanent. Ear cartilage has a flexible structure. Thanks to this, there is no problem with the movement of the ear.
As in all surgical operations, post-operative care is important and contributes positively to the healing process.
Some points to be considered after otoplasty and post-operative care that should be taken care of are as follows:
- Unless your doctor makes a special recommendation, it is necessary to wait 1-2 days to shower following otoplasty. The surgical area should not be wet during the shower.
- A bandage should be worn after the surgery and should remain on for 3 days after the surgery.
- The bandages are removed 3 days after the protruding ear surgery, and the bandages should be used at night for 15 days.
- The operation area should be protected from possible impacts and should not be slept on.
- You can return to normal life after a week.
- Tight-necked clothes should not be worn.
What are the risks of otoplasty surgery?
Otoplasty surgery is performed under general anesthesia. It takes about 1-2 hours on average. Postoperative dressings and check-ups last for 10 days. Stitches are usually removed on the 10th day. The patient should continue to sleep with an elastic head bandage at night. Otherwise, the patient can return to their daily social life.
Ear aesthetic is in the low-risk surgery group. The most common problems that can be seen in the short term after surgery are blood accumulation (hematoma) in the surgical area and infection. Both problems can be solved without any problems with appropriate treatment. Problems that can be seen in the medium and long term are asymmetry in the ears or the recurrence of the prominent ear appearance over time.
If there is severe pain in only one ear, if fever increases despite the amount of fluids and medications consumed, if there is increasing swelling and ear redness in the ear, or if there is bleeding in the ear, you should inform your surgeon.
What should be done after prominent ear surgery?
Post-operative instructions for ear surgery:
- There are no serious pain complaints after the surgery. In cases of pain, it is sufficient to use the painkillers recommended by your surgeon.
- The bandage applied at the end of the surgery is changed several times, if necessary, within the first week.
- If stitches that need to be removed during the surgery are placed, they should be removed at the first check-up.
- Patients should wear a bandage or headband that will keep the ears in the appropriate position for the first two weeks and use it only while sleeping for the first month.
- Since the ear is shaped with stitches, the pinna should be protected from traumas such as pulling for 6 months.
- The ear should not be folded forward or backward.
- In children, the ear can be covered while sleeping at night.
- Glasses started to be used after the first week.
- The bandage should remain on for the first 3 days.
- The bandages should be removed in the shower after 3 days.
- Antibiotic creams should be carefully applied behind the ears for 3 weeks.
- Children can start school after one week, and adults can return to work earlier.
- Physical activity is restricted for 10 to 14 days, and contact sports are restricted for at least 2 months.
- Some patients are concerned about the possibility of the incisions being visible. However, the incisions made during otoplasty are hidden behind the ears, so they are not visible.
- When the bandages are removed, the ears are swollen and red, but they heal over time.
- Loose-collared and buttoned-up outer clothing should be worn to avoid friction at the incision sites.
- Smoking should be stopped after surgery, as it will affect wound healing.
- In order not to apply pressure to the ears, one should not lie on their side.
When can you take a shower after prominent ear surgery?
Unless your surgeon recommends a different time, you can usually take a shower 1-2 days after surgery without wetting the surgical area.
Is a headband used after prominent ear surgery?
After a classic prominent ear surgery a headband is used. If a protruding ear procedure with strings has been performed, it is recommended that headbands are used only at night.