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Otoplasty Recovery Time

asked 4 years ago by anon
Latest answer by Jaime Perez MD
Question viewed 16,357 times
Tags: ears, recovery

What was your recovery time after an otoplasty? How long did it take to heal from the ear surgery? 

17 answers to Otoplasty Recovery Time

+3

Otoplasty Recovery

There are various phases during the recovery process of a well executed otoplasty performed by a surgeon with expertise in ear reshaping: First 24 hours- Patient wears a mild compressive garment on the head.  Patient ear appear larger and more swollen than ideal 24 to 72 hours- Patient wears headband over ears as much as possible.  Majority of swelling begins to dissipate 72 hours to First Week- Some patients will be able to return to work depending on their... more
Anil R. Shah, MD

Chicago Facial Plastic Surgeon
+2

What is the Recover Time for an Otoplasty?

The recovery time for an otoplasy is in stages. The head dressing comes off after three to five days. At this time there will still be some swelling, but most adults can go to work without a dressing. However, at night, for six to eight weeks they must wear a protective head band, or sweat band to prevent the ears from inadvertently being pulled or folded during sleep. You are permitted to do exercise after a month, but should avoid heavy lifting... more
Fredrick A. Valauri, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

www.drvalauri.com

+2

Ear Reshaping (Otoplasty) Recovery Time and Care

Otoplasty or ear reshaping is one of the most rewarding plastic surgery procedure for both the patient and the surgeon. Below is my protocol that I have found to lead to good and predictable results: Typically we place a compressive bandage on the ear for 24 hours and patients are encouraged to wear a light head band (like ski band around their ears for one to two weeks. Typically the sutures are resorbable and do not need to be removed. Usually patient can do... more
Ali Sajjadian, MD

Orange County Plastic Surgeon

www.DrSajjadian.com

+2

Otoplasty is a procedure with a very high rate of...

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... more
Michael A. Persky, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty Recovery

Recovery from ear pinning and ear surgery is relatively simple. Most patients will experience moderate swelling and bruising of the ears for up to a week. During this first week, I usually recommend patients sleep with their head elevated to speed resolution of bruising and swelling. After approximately one week, the newly created intricate concavities and convexities can start to be appreciated. Patients are usually asked to wear a bulky bandage over the ears for one week, often followed by... more
Jaime Perez MD

Tampa Plastic Surgeon
+1

Ear pinning or otoplasty recovery time.

Otoplasty typically requires about 7 to 10 days for a full recover and even after this period there is some mild residual swelling that will resolve more slowly. Healing can depend on how large the surgery was. If it's simply a matter of making the upper half an ear appear less cupped, you're looking at around a week. If the entire ear needs to be set back and a cupped or lopped ear set back as well you're looking more at 10 days. Your physical... more
Chase Lay, MD

Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty recovery

The dressing stays on for one week at which time the sutures are removed. It takes several more weeks for swelling to go down. Head bands are optional and patients can resume exercising three weeks after surgery so long as they are careful.
Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Recovery after otoplasty

Most otoplasty recovery is relatively quick.  Compression dressings are in place for a couple of days after surgery and head bands are worn full-time for a week after surgery.  Skin sutures from behind the ear are out one week after surgery.  You are socially acceptable 8-10 days after your procedure when most of the acute swelling and bruising have all but dissipated.  Afterward mild swelling subsides over the next month.  If you maintain the new shape of your ears... more
Thomas T. Le, MD

Baltimore Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.bwfacialplasticsurgery.com

+1

Healing after otoplasty...

After having an otoplasty it is common to experience mild swelling for a few days.  You will have minimal bruising and swelling for the first few days following the procedure but usually not much pain.  After the procedure you will need to wear a headband for a week or so.  You may procede with normal activities after about one week, but you should be cautious for about three months to avoid any activites that may pull or stretch the ears until they are... more
Andrew Miller, MD

Edison Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty Recovery Times Vary Depending If it is a Cup or a Lop Ear Issue

A lop ear deformity (without a fold in the antihelix) has a very short recovery in my hands of a day or two of swelling.  When I have to set the cup portion back by removing some excess cartilage the swelling can then last 2 to 4 days.  The best way that I have had to instruct prospective patients on how much average swelling I see in my hands is with video diaries, one of which I have added here for your benefit. best, Dr. Sam Lam Dallas, TX see video
Samuel Lam, MD

Dallas Facial Plastic Surgeon

www.lamfacialplastics.com

+1

Ear Surgery Recovery Is Fairly Simple

Otoplasty is a procedure that most of my patients return to their normal life after 24 hours.  The ears rarely bruise, the incision is tucked deep in the crease behind the ear, and pain is only a mild ache.  Usually the ears are a bit pink and inflamed for a week, not that much different than they might look after being out in the cold for a couple hours.  As most patients with prominent ears have been hiding them with their hair for years prior to the surgery, it is... more
Louis W. Apostolakis, MD

Austin Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty to correct prominent ears

Otoplasty has a quick recovery time, which usually lasts less than one week.  A bolster is typically applied to reduce swelling and bleeding after surgery.  I usually follow up with patients in one week.
Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty recovery time

The typical time it takes for the swelling to resolve from the otoplasty procedure is about two weeks. However, you are typically functional within a few days. That being said, we require our patients to wear a sweat band continuously for two straight weeks and then we require them to wear a sweat band as much as they can for at least another six weeks.
Scott Trimas, MD

Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Recovery time after Otoplasty

You should expect your recovery time to be about one to two weeks. You may take as little as two days off from school or work. Immediately after your surgery, a formal head wrap will be placed around your head to help support your ears. It is very important to keep it in place for about 2 to 3 days after surgery.  In our practice, we also have our patients wear a sweat band at night for about 4 weeks after surgery.  Your sutures will be removed within 1 week after your... more
David Mabrie, MD

Bay Area Facial Plastic Surgeon

yourfaceinourhands.com

+1

Recovery After Ear Surgery

Recovery after ear surgery depends on the problem to be treated, what was done, the skill of you doctor, after surgery care, ear dressing, and other factors best discussed during a consultation. My patients are up and about the day of surgery. Bouncing, bending the head down below the level of the heart, and vigerous activities evolve over time. Patients are usually back to light work the week of surgery. Comfort is the guide nature provides as to what the body can do. Start by Minimizing... more
RETIRED-Michael Bermant, MD

Richmond Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty recovery

If things go as planned, you should pretty much have a normal looking ear 1-2 weeks after your procedure. It takes skill to make sure that this happens on the part of your surgeon. Meticulous control of oozing makes a difference as well as frequent followups. Sometimes, surgeons will make little drainage holes in the field of the otoplasty procedure to allow for drainage that usually heals imperceptibly. Others employ small drains to help with the healing. The less trauma your surgeon does... more
Philip Young, MD

Bellevue Facial Plastic Surgeon
+1

Otoplasty (ear pinning) post-operative course restrictions and care

Everybody has a different approach to this type of surgery. So I will briefly review my protocol. We place a tight compressive wrap for 24 hours. From 24 hours to 7 days we recommend a light head band (sweat band type garment) worn gently over the ears 24x7 Sutures out at about 10 days. Usually patients return to work at this time. From 1 week to 3 weeks, we advise the same band at night only. Low impact activities progressing to high impact from 3-6 weeks Generally satisfactory healing... more
Otto Joseph Placik, MD

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

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