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Getting back to normal
Adults and children are usually up and around within a few hours of surgery,
although you may prefer to stay overnight in the hospital with a child until
all the effects of general anesthesia wear off.
The patient's head will be wrapped in a bulky bandage immediately following
surgery to promote the best molding and healing. The ears may throb or
ache a little for a few days, but this can be relieved by medication.
Within a few days, the bulky bandages will be replaced by a lighter head
dressing similar to a headband. Be sure to follow your surgeon's directions
for wearing this dressing, especially at night.
Stitches are usually removed, or will dissolve, in about a week.
Any activity in which the ear might be bent should be avoided for a month
or so. Most adults can go back to work about five days after surgery.
Children can go back to school after seven days or so, if they're careful
about playground activity. You may want to ask your child's teacher to
keep an eye on the child for a few weeks.
Other ear problems
Besides protruding ears, there are a variety of other ear problems that
can be helped with surgery. These include: "lop ear," when the
tip seems to fold down and forward; "cupped ear," which is usually
a very small ear; and "shell ear," when the curve in the outer
rim, as well as the natural folds and creases, are missing. Surgery can
also improve large or stretched earlobes, or lobes with large creases and
wrinkles. Surgeons can even build new ears for those who were born without
them or who lost them through injury.
Sometimes, however, the correction can leave a scar that's worse than the
original problem. Ask your surgeon about the effectiveness of surgery for
your specific case.
More natural-looking ears
Most patients, young and old alike, are thrilled with the results of ear
surgery. But keep in mind, the goal is improvement, not perfection. Don't
expect both ears to match perfectly-perfect symmetry is both unlikely and
unnatural in ears. If you've discussed the procedure and your expectations
with the surgeon before the operation, chances are, you'll be quite pleased
with the result.
Back to top of otoplasty section
Otoplasty Patient Information 
Highlights: Preparing for Surgery
Pre-operative Instructions
Post-Operative Care
Activity Restrictions
Recovery Time
Resuming Normal Activities
Pre-operative Instructions
Post-operative Instructions
FAQs on Recovery From Plastic Surgery
Ear Surgery Illustrations
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