INSTRUCTIONS
- Have someone drive you home after surgery and help you at home 1-2 days.
- Get plenty of rest.
- Plan on taking it easy for at least the first week.
- Follow balanced diet.
- Decreased activity may promote constipation, so you may want to add more raw fruit to your diet, and be sure to increase fluid intake.
- Take pain medication as prescribed. Do not take aspirin or any products containing aspirin.
- Do not drink alcohol when taking pain medications.
- Do not smoke, as smoking delays healing and increases the risk of complications.
ACTIVITIES
- Usually, you will be up and around a few hours after surgery.
- Start walking as soon as possible, this helps to reduce swelling and lowers the chance of blood clots.
- Do not drive until you are no longer taking any pain medications (narcotics).
- Children can go back to school after 7 days, if they are careful about playground activity.
- Adults can go back to work approximately 5 days after surgery, depending upon the occupation.
- You may resume full social activities in 5-10 days.
- Avoid any activity in which the ear might be bent for approximately a month.
- You may resume strenuous activity and contact sports in 1-2months.
INCISION CARE
- You may shower 48 hours after surgery.
- Avoid exposing scars to sun for at least 12 months.
- Always use a strong sun block, if sun exposure is unavoidable (SPF 30 or greater).
- Keep steri-strips on; replace if they come off.
- Keep incisions clean and inspect daily for signs of infection.
- Wear head dressing for 3-7 days. After that, wear a clean headband at night for 3-6 weeks.
- You may shampoo your hair in 5 days, or as advised by your doctor.
WHAT TO EXPECT
- Temporary throbbing, aching, swelling, redness and numbness.
- Large pressure dressings and bandages are applied around the ears and head, turban-style.
- Some swelling and bruising may last 10-14 days.
- Some numbness may exist around the operative areas.
- Tenderness could last up to 3 months.APPEARANCE
- Usually, there will be a faint scar in the back of the ear that will eventually fade.
- Do not expect both ears to match perfectly, as perfect symmetry is unlikely and unnatural in ears.
FOLLOW-UP CARE
- All sutures are removed, or will dissolve, in 1-2 weeks.
WHEN TO CALL
- If you have increased swelling or bruising.
- If swelling and redness persist after a few days.
- If you have increase redness along the incision.
- If you have severe or increased pain not relieved by medication.
For medical question, please call:
- 812-477-6600 Evansville office
