Otoplasty - after ear surgery care
With straight local anesthesia patients can walk right out
of surgery. Both adults and children are usually up and around
within a few hours after general anesthesia or sedation. The large
dressing provides protection for the ear sculpting. Although
it is taped in place, be careful not to let it slip off of your
head. Hot weather can be uncomfortable in a formal ear dressing.
An air-conditioned room is very nice for surgery contemplated
during the summer.
There is not much discomfort after ear otoplasty surgery unless you traumatize the ears. A little soreness, aching, or throbbing should easily be managed with some medication and last only a few days.
Within a few days, the big dressing will be changed. You will
need a broad headband that covers the ears gently. This dressing
is especially important at night to protect the ear repairs. External sutures are normally dissolvable and do not need to be removed. If not, they are usually removed in about one week. We will
instruct when you be able to wash your hair, in most cases this
will be possible once the formal ear dressing is no longer needed.
You may need some help to minimize trauma to the ears. You will
have to be careful of hot hair blow dryers and protect any possible
numb areas from getting burned. You will need to be careful with over the ear devices or those that go into the ear until tissues have healed.
Any activity in which the ear might be bent should be avoided
for a month or so. Adults can go back to work once sedation or
general anesthesia no longer clouds the mind. Vigorous activities
are not a good idea for at least a week. Children can go back
to school after about seven days if they are careful about playground
activities and hold off gym.
Swelling and bruising with Dr. Bermant's techniques are usually not extensive. If present they may be noticeable for a week or two depending on the type of surgery. A long hair style covers the surgery permitting the ears to hide and early public exposure. Numbness if present is usually temporary but can take days to months to resolve. Healing nerves usually have hypersensitivity or more than the normal amount of sensation.
We will design your after otoplasty scar care for your particular skin and surgery. This must wait for some initial healing so that the repairs can strengthen.
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Otoplasty Ear Surgery |
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