Otoplasty Instructions for Surgery

Hygiene and Wound Care

• Do not remove your dressing.
• Call the doctor for any excessive pain.
• You can shower the first day after surgery, but wait for your doctor to remove the dressing and give the OK.
• After the dressing comes off you will wear an elastic headband around the ears and head 24 hours daily except when you shower.
• After one week you will wear the elastic headband at bedtime for one more week.
• You must clean the incision behind the ears with 2 or 3 percent hydrogen peroxide using a Q-tip then apply Bacitracin ointment on twice daily.

Activity Restrictions

• No lifting greater than 15 pounds for the first week or 50 pounds for the second week.
• Light exercise can begin one week after surgery, heavier exercise two weeks after.
• Driving may resume in one day if not taking pain medicine.
• Sleep with your head of bed elevated 15 to 30 degrees for two weeks and sleep on your back, not on your front or sides.
• No contact sports or any activity where your ears may get pulled for 8 weeks.

Lifestyle Restrictions

• No smoking for two weeks before or after surgery.
• No hair appointments for 2 weeks, no perms for 4 week.
• No facials for 6 weeks.

Medication Restrictions

• No motrin, aspirin or anti-inflammatory remedies for two weeks before or after surgery.
• No herbal supplements such as ginko, ginseng, garlic or high doses of Vitamin E for two weeks before or after surgery.

It is very important to take antibiotics and pain medicine as recommended.