subject: Otoplasty: Post Operative Care Involved [print this page] Otoplasty is known for improving appearance and confidence. Growing up with out of the ordinary ears is a horrible thing to have to go through and many people suffer at the hands of their peers. When you get the surgery, there are just a few simple steps to ensuring that your healing will go as well as possible.
Getting otoplasty is wonderful for the people who get it. Ear pinning is one of the safest, effective and rewarding plastic surgeries that is available. The relative easy healing period makes it a good experience as well. However, even though it is common and fairly safe, it is still necessary to follow all directions for the desired results.
Immediately after surgery, the doctor will wrap the head in bandages. These provide pressure to the new ears (which they need to help maintain their shape), and also helps to seal out infection. It is common for the area to be a little achy, and this can be relieved with over-the-counter medication. After a few days, the doctor will remove these bandages and replace them with ones of lighter weight. These bandages serve the same purpose.
About one week after surgery, all head coverings will be removed. It is important that you not peek before this time, as the wrappings have an important purpose. You need to heal before you peek! Once the bandages are removed, you will get to have a preview of your new ears. Be prepared for some swelling or bruising which is very common.
At this time, most adults and children can return to normal activity (work and school) as long as they are careful. In the next five weeks it is important to avoid any extremes. No rough-housing or playing anything that can damage the area and no extreme temperatures. This means that blow dryers can't be used and that if the temperatures are freezing, to keep your ears covered and warm. All of this is necessary to help the ears maintain their new shape.
You will be given a special head covering that is similar to a headband. This is to be worn as often as possible, and especially at night. Rolling around on pillows is one thing that has a lot of risk, as it can tear healing skin and can alter new shape. Wearing this headband at night is of extreme importance.
Full recovery is usually about six weeks post-surgery. At this point, your pain levels should be disappearing and all swelling and bruising should be nearly gone. At this point, you should be able to look in the mirror and be very happy with what you see. Congratulations on your new appearance and as long as you follow all care instructions, you should be very pleased.
