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,

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

The headband is a way to stabilize the ear after otoplasty. The band does not by itself position the ear, but more acts to prevent trauma to the ear and to support the healing process.  I ask my patients to wear the headband only at night to prevent pressure and folding of the ear while sleeping.   My patients wear the headband for only a few weeks. 

Although different surgeons have different recommendations my personal preference is to use a head band for the first 6 weeks when you are in your home and at night to take tension off your internal repair as it heals and also for protection. Ask your plastic surgeon about his preference.

There is a operation that does not require a head bandage because it is minimally invasive and the only wounds are tiny pinpricks. The name of this method is Dr Merck´s stitch method - an new alternative otoplasty.