Ear Otoplasty - Do I Have to Be Careful with my Ears All my Life?

You can have acute changes in the appearance of your ears if they're pulled within the first 2 months after Otoplasty Surgery. I'm not sure why your ears are "a little uncomfortable". You should visit your surgeon and address these concerns with him. Ask him to make sure you're not developing keloid scars which could cause discomfort.

I hope this is helpful for you.

During the first few months after otoplasty, the ears need to be protected, as recurrence is possible. It is possible for sutures to be torn or pulled. After the first 2-3 months after surgery, the likelihood of this happening with casual manipulation of the ear is extremely low. It is possible that a strong blow to the ear could injure the area even after 2-3 months, but by this point, scar tissue is holding the ears in place quite well.
I encourage my patients to use an elastic headband whenever they are concerned about hitting the ears during activity (sports, cheerleading, sleeping, etc). This is often comforting to patients to have additional support.
It is possible for patients to have lingering tenderness of the ears for several months after surgery, but this usually slowly resolves. Be sure to discuss any post-operative concerns with your surgeon.
Best,

It’s not unusual for patients to
experience significant ear tenderness following otoplasty.  When this occurs, patients have a
tendency to protect their ears. 
This impulse to avoid contact, can result in the ears being even more
tender over the course of time.

For this reason, once the ears have
healed adequately in about 6 to 8 weeks, we recommend gentle massage of the
area.  This will ultimately
desensitize the ear and result in higher comfort levels.  Using this approach, the ears
eventually lose their tenderness and return to normal.

When this situation occurs,
patients should contact their surgeon. 
Their surgeons should be able to help them address this problem so they
can return to a normal life as quickly as possible. 

As Dr. Aldea mentioned, a stitch that protrudes through the skin and can be easily identified at one year should probably be removed. However, if it is simply a prominent stitch that is palpable and not necessarily visible or exposed, I would probably leave alone.

Tenderness can persist 6 months plus.  As the scars soften, the tenderness decreases.  At 4 months recurrence is unlikely. You can return to the activities that you were doing prior to the surgery.

Dear 7410anon The cartilage of your ears has been reshaped in the Otoplasty and is now in the maturation stage of healing.  You can have some itching sensations or numbness, but if the incisions behind the ears are uncomfortable it is worth it to show your surgeon.  

If that checks out ok, then getting back to your normal pre-otoplasty lifestyle will probably help you adapt to your new ears.  Best Wishes in the New Year.

By 4 months you should be healed from your otoplasty.  It's not unusual to feel some tightness or pulling after surgery.  If you feel something painful - stop doing it - listen to your body.  Please continue to live your life and sleep without worry.  I'd recommend you talk to your surgeon so he/she can answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Dr. Cat Begovic M.D.

After ear surgery you need to be carefull for about 12 weeks.

You should be able to sleep normal and have normal activity.

You can be assured that you are fully healed 4 months after otoplasty. It is not unusual to have some sensitivity and even a little numbness at this time, but it should resolve after a few more months. You do not need special precautions when sleeping anymore, and barring significant direct trauma to your ears there is not going to be a change in appearance. Rarely a suture extrusion or slipage can occur in the first year and should prompt a call to your plastic surgeon fo advice or an examination.