Ear Surgery – Otoplasty Surgery Post-Operative Instructions

WOUND CARE:
You will have a turban style dressing on that is designed to protect and support your ear(s). It will need to stay on until your first post op visit 24 hours after surgery. After that you will wear a simple tennis sweat band around your head that covers your ears for 5-7 days. Sutures behind the ear will then be able to get wet when you (finally!) wash your hair. It is important that you prevent moisture away from the sutures after you wash your hair (bow dry behind your ears well and dry your hair well. The sutures will be removed approximately 10 to 14 days after surgery. Once the bulky head dressing is removed, you will be given a band to wear over your ear at
night. You will be instructed at that time whether it is needed in the day time as well or not.

ACTIVITY:
After surgery it is best to rest in a chair or recliner with your head elevated to minimize the expected post-operative swelling. If you want to sleep in bed, use as many pillows as possible. For the first 48 hours please avoid any kind of straining. Strenuous activities should be avoided for 2 to 3 weeks, especially contact sports in which your ear could be bumped. After that gradually increase your activities so you are back to normal by the end of the fourth week.

DIET:
You can start a regular diet the day of surgery if you are not nauseous.

MEDICATIONS:
You have been given a prescription for pain medication, and antibiotic. Take this according to the instructions on the bottle.
You should not have excessive pain. It is fine to take non-prescription pain relievers as well. You will also be given a prescription for antibiotics to take for a few doses. Resume your pre-op meds unless you have been specifically advised otherwise.

APPOINTMENTS:
We will plan to see you several days after surgery. If this appointment has not yet been made, please call our office to set it up.

PLEASE CALL OUR OFFICE AT Novasurgicare Phone Number 703-288-4495 IF:

1. If you have severe pain not relieved by the pain medication, especially if it is much worse on one side than the other.
2. You have a fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or more.
3. You have redness, warmth, or other signs of an infection.
4. You have any questions or concerns.