Otoplasty Recovery Guide: What to Expect After Ear Pinning Surgery
Immediately After Your Otoplasty
1. Your Post-Surgical Dressing
After surgery, a multi-layered dressing is applied to protect your ears and minimize swelling. A small drain helps remove excess blood – don’t be alarmed if you see blood stains on the gauze. We’ll replace this with a bandana 1-2 days later during your first check-up.
2. Medications You’ll Receive
We typically prescribe:
• Parol (paracetamol) and Arveles (dexketoprofen) for pain
• Enfla-C Capsules (bromelain, quercetin, vitamin C) to reduce swelling
Unless you have specific allergies or medical conditions.
3. Pain Expectations
Pain levels vary:
• Some patients feel almost nothing
• Most experience manageable discomfort relieved by medication
• Rare cases may have significant pain
The local anesthetic typically wears off within a few hours after surgery.
The First 48 Hours
4. Showering Instructions
Day of surgery: Shower from the neck down
One day after dressing removal (Day 2-3): You may wash your hair gently with lukewarm water. Avoid direct hot water on your ears.
5. Sleeping Positions
For 3 weeks post-op:
- Sleep on your back with 1-2 extra pillows to elevate your head
- Don’t worry about rolling onto your ears – discomfort will naturally prevent this
Your First Follow-Up Appointment
6. What Happens During the Check-Up?
At your 1-2 day appointment, we’ll:
- Remove the initial dressing (painless)
- Take out the drain
- Clean suture sites with iodine solution
- Apply a new bandana
Minor oozing is normal and will stop quickly.
7. What Your Ears Will Look Like
Expect:
- Visible swelling and redness (varies by patient)
- Possible bruising (less common due to our surgical technique)
- Temporary asymmetry as swelling differs between ears
This is normal – your final results will emerge as healing progresses.
Long-Term Care Instructions
8. Wound Care Guide
Starting Day 2-3:
- Wash ears daily with water during showers
- Use fingertips/cotton swabs to gently clean behind ears
- Remove any crusting (we’ll demonstrate proper technique)
Avoid:
- Hydrogen peroxide/alcohol (water only)
- Hot hairdryer air directed at ears
9. Stitch Information
Most cases: No visible stitches (dissolvable sutures under skin)
Exceptions (like earlobe reduction): We’ll remove stitches in 5-10 days and inform you during surgery.
10. Bandana Usage
Wear your bandana:
- First 3-5 days: Continuously (loosely – don’t overtighten)
- Next 3 weeks: At night only
Its purpose is protection, not compression
Returning to Normal Activities
11. Travel Guidelines
Standard cases: May travel 2 days post-op
Complex procedures: We’ll advise if longer monitoring is needed
12. Otoplasty Recovery Stages
7-10 days: Most swelling/redness subsides
2-3 months: Majority of healing complete
1 year: Final results fully apparent
View our photo gallery below to see typical recovery progression
10. Bandana Usage
Wear your bandana:
- First 3-5 days: Continuously (loosely – don’t overtighten)
- Next 3 weeks: At night only
Its purpose is protection, not compression
Otoplasty Recovery Timeline
Both Photos Post-op 7 Days.
Left Post-op 2 days, Right Post-op 2 Months
Left Before Otoplasty, Right 2 Days Post-op, Minimal Swelling
Left Post-op 2 Days, Right Post-op 1 Week, Prominent Bruising
Left Post-op 1 Day, Middle Post-op 8 Days, Right Post-op 2 Months
Left Post-op 2 Days, Middle Post-op 1 Week, Righ Post-op 2 Months
+90 532 520 02 99
+90 216 629 10 13
+90 532 520 02 99
+90 216 629 10 13
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