Question
Otoplasty - how long does it take to heal after ear surgery?
What is the recovery time after an otoplasty? How long does it take to heal from this type of ear surgery?
Asked by: Anonymous
Answers (1)
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April 4, 2008
Board Certified
Facial Plastic Surgeon
Facial Plastic Surgeon
Answer by Michael A. Persky, MD
Otoplasty is a procedure with a very high rate of patient satisfaction. Most adult patients have wanted the procedure since being teased as a child; most children willingly undergo the procedure because the cruel taunts are still fresh.
When performed properly, the results are most natural and no one should be able to tell that the patient had anything done.
- A head wrap bandage is worn from 3 to 5 days following the surgery.
- Sutures are removed from behind the ears on the 5’Th to 7’Th day.
- After five days, patients are pretty much healed, although the ears still need to be protected.
- When sleeping or when home we advise to wear a snug headband over the ears so that the ears don't accidentally get "bent out of shape" for about three weeks after the surgery.
- Contact sports should be avoided for about one month, but working out can start after about 10 days.
Good luck. Dr. P
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10/8/08
After 3 weeks, I still can't sleep on my side and my ears are very stiff, numb, and are sensitive to bending/mild impacts. Also, bending over, lifting, or getting the heart rate elevated still make the ears run hot uncomfortable. Damaged nerves also provide weird sensations 3-5 weeks later such that you feel like your ears are folded forward until you caress them with a finger.
I was able to bike a great distance 10 days after the surgery, but that's bc my style doesn't get my heart rate up.
Overall, I definitely would not recommend scheduling anything where you have a helmet that presses on the ear for 2 months after you have the operation. There is a moderate risk for small hematomas (I got one), which only increase the healing time and potential for aggravation.