Very swollen ears after otoplasty, how long do they take to look somewhat normal?

Some people's ears swell more than others after otoplasty surgery. 5 days postoperative is too soon to judge your final result insofar as swelling goes, but your ears should appear closer to your head. Consider re-asking your question with photos. There is a video below of one of our beautiful patients 24 hours after suture otoplasty with close up views of her ears. Hope this will be helpful for you. Dr Joseph

As you mention that you have to wear a bandage, it can be taken that you were not operated on with the minimally invasive stitch method, but rather with a traditional method. With the traditional methods, it is part of the normal post-operative process to still have rather pronounced swelling 5 days after the operation. The compression by a bandage is not the cause of the swelling. The swelling is due to the method and the result of the invasive approach of the traditional methods. If no infection has developed, the swelling will probably disappear within the next 2 to 3 weeks, but in exceptional cases it can last a little longer.

You need more time for the swelling to decrease.  This may take another 4  - 6 weeks or even longer.  Give it some time before you judge the final result.