Incisions are generally entirely “behind the ear” and are closed with dissolving stitches. These stitches may take up to 6 weeks to dissolve but can be removed sooner at the patient’s request.
One can return to work, school and normal activities 5 to 7 days after surgery. The ears may still be bruised and slightly swollen and will be sore to the touch but this abates rapidly. Obviously, no strenuous exercise is permitted for the first 2 weeks and no contact sports for 6 weeks.
A helmet type dressing is placed over the ears and head immediately after surgery. It is removed the following day during a brief office visit. At the same visit, the small rubber drains are removed from the wounds; these were placed to reduce swelling and bruising. The ears are then lightly redressed. The dressing can be removed at home the following day (two days after surgery) and you can shower and wash your hair.
There are no restrictions except for the prohibition against strenuous exercise for 2 weeks after surgery and no contact sports for 6 weeks after surgery. For those first 6 weeks, to protect the newly repositioned ears, we recommend wearing an elastic skier’s headband at night.
The ears will have diminished sensation and perhaps minimal residual swelling. Generally by 3 months the incisions have softened and become nearly invisible and the ears feel “natural”.
