Is an Elastic Headband Important And/or Necessary After Otoplasty?

Be sure to check with your surgeon regarding post-operative care. Each surgeon will have their own recommendations for any procedure, including otoplasty. My otoplasty patients are instructed (after the post-surgical wrap is removed) to wear their headband as much as possible for the first two weeks after surgery (day and night). For the next two weeks, patients are instructed to wear the headband at night, and as much as they would like to during the day. After one month, my patients are instructed to wear the headband as needed or for comfort.
All the best,

It is best to ask your surgeon his/her protocol for healing as they performed your surgery and know exactly what was done.We generally recommend that our patients wear a soft head band (not tight) to protect their ears for 2 weeks after surgery. Two weeks after the otoplasty, I recommend that the soft headband be worn at night and for any physical activity where the ears are at risk for being hit or pulled.Complying with these instructions will help ensure the permanency of the otoplasty surgery.

I am a proponent of headbands after otoplasty for the following reasons:


Protects ears from trauma

Encourages ears to heal in a more predictable manner

Avoids ears healing more forward due to retroauricular edema