After Otoplasty/ear Surgery

1. You will have a compressive dressing to the ears for the first 72 hours. This is to help reduce the incidence of a post-op hematoma and swelling. You should be cautious of diminished hearing ability and refrain from activities which require your full hearing attention for safety. Driving is not advised for the first week.
2. Do not lay on the operative sites for the first 24 hours. Sleep on the back with the head of the bed elevated approximately 30 degrees. This is to help decrease the incidence of swelling and discomfort related to the same.
3. Refrain from heavy lifting (greater than 25 lbs), straining, strenuous exercise, and bending at the waist for the first 3 weeks.
4. During sneezing open the mouth and no forceful blowing of the nose. These activities place additional pressure on the ears.
5. Dizziness may occur. Do not move the head too rapidly, bounce, or change positions too quickly for the first 3 weeks.
6. Notify this office of any unusual drainage (pus) from the incision sites.
7. Patients who received general anesthesia should return home from our office immediately upon discharge and lie down with the head elevated until all the effects of the anesthesia have disappeared.  Anesthesia effects vary by individual, and you may feel drowsy for a short period of time or for several hours.  You should not operate any mechanical equipment or drive a motor vehicle for at least 12 hours or longer if you feel any residual effects from the anesthesia.  Do not use appliances or equipment that could be dangerous such as power tools, stoves, burners or lawn mowers.  Watch out for dizziness.  Walk slowly and take your time.  Sudden changes of position can also cause nausea or dizziness.  Do not drink any alcoholic beverages.  The drugs in your body may cause your reaction to alcohol to be dangerous.