How Long is Recovery Period for Ear if Cartilage is Used in Rhinoplasty?

The mild pain can persist for up to eight weeks after cartilage harvesting. This does not mean you should not sleep on that ear. You can sleep on that ear after the first week.
Regards

I would ask your surgeon's advice but generally we would recommend that you avoid laying on the ear for approximately 3 weeks following the surgical procedure.

In our practice we harvest ear cartilage 4-6 times a week for our large number nasal reconstruction patients. We use an incision behind the ear which gives the best scar. I can however result in a sore ear when you lay on it for 3 to 6 months. I think this is due to sensory nerve damage during the harvesting. It all heals up in time and most patients do not mention it after 3 months.
If you had an incision in the front of the ear that should feel better much sooner than behind the ear.
Hope this helps.