Otoplasty

How to Prepare for Surgery

We thank you for choosing our office for your otoplasty procedure. We want to help you succeed in every way possible. We will have you come in for a pre-surgical appointment 1-2 weeks prior to your surgery date to go over post-op instructions and give you a list of medications that will be called into your pharmacy. All prescriptions that are called in are to be taken after surgery. If you have someone that will be taking care of you, it is recommended that they come to this pre-surgical appointment to hear and understand post-op instructions. We will provide one dose of arnica to help prevent bruising, which you can start taking 8 days prior to your procedure. If you would like to take another dose post-surgery, arnica supplements can be purchased at our office or in common drugstores. We recommend obtaining all necessary items before surgery, that way after surgery you can go straight home and rest.

What Can I Expect After Surgery?

• You may experience swelling and bruising behind your ear and on your neck, which is completely normal. Keep your head elevated at least 30 degrees for the first 7-10 days after surgery to minimize swelling.
• Your ears will feel “numb” and stiff for a while after surgery, but this will resolve with time. Slight discoloration of the skin around the ear is normal.
• You will have cotton sutured in the bowl of your ear that will muffle sounds for the first week. This is done to preserve the structure of your ear for the first week after surgery. The cotton will be removed at your one-week follow up. Do not pull on the cotton while it is in your ear.
• The initial wound dressing can be removed after 24 hours at home and replaced with the head wrap that we provide for you. After removing the wound dressing, wear the provided headband to sleep every night for a minimum of 2-3 weeks. Dr. Sanovich will let you know when you can stop wearing the head wrap.
• Avoid wearing a traditional face mask that may pull on your ears. Instead, use  one that does not put unnecessary pressure on the incision site behind your ear. 

Pain Management after Surgery  

• You will be prescribed medications based on your health history. 
• You will receive pain medication to use for the first 3-5 days after surgery.
• An antibiotic will be prescribed for you to start taking the day after surgery.
• An oral steroid will be prescribed to help reduce swelling.
• Anti-nausea medication will help limit any nausea you may experience after surgery

Wound Care for the Surgical Site

• The wound dressing may be removed after 24 hours. Avoid getting the incisions wet for the first week after surgery. Once Dr. Sanovich clears you, you may get the area wet, but make sure you pat the area dry and avoid rubbing the wound.
• Keep a thin coating of Aquaphor on the incision site at all times. You will need to apply 3-5 times a day for the first week.
• Clean the sutures with a cotton swab and a solution of 1⁄2 white vinegar and 1⁄2 water. A small amount of watery drainage, bruising, and redness is normal. 

Skin Care After Surgery

• We will provide a scar cream (Silagen-scar refinement system) at your one-week follow-up to help prevent scarring as much as possible.
• Protect your facial skin from any sun exposure for months after surgery.  Please use sunscreen anytime that you are outside. Exposing the new healing scars to the sun will cause more prominent scarring. 

Activity Level After Surgery 

• Avoid any strenuous physical activity for 1 week. 
• You may return to school or light duty work (non-physical labor) within a week of the surgery, or as tolerated.
• Although you just had surgery, we recommend you do not stay in bed while awake to minimize the chances of blood clots forming in your legs.
• Try to transfer to a chair and walk around the house. You want to try to be as active as possible, but avoid doing anything too strenuous.
• The swelling will worsen over the first 3-4 days after surgery, which is expected, and will begin to subside shortly thereafter.

What Happens at the Follow-Up Visits?

• You will have a follow-up 1 week after the procedure to assess your incisions and overall healing progress. Some of your sutures may be removed at this appointment.
• We have a Candela Vbeam Prima Perfecta Laser Machine, a pulsed-dye laser (PDL), that will help reduce the appearance of dark red or purple bruising more quickly.  
• We take photos at each follow-up appointment to monitor your healing progress. 
• You will then have a follow-up 2 weeks after the procedure to have additional sutures/staples removed.
• You may call at any time during your recovery if you have any questions or concerns

When Should I Call My Doctor? 

• If you have difficulty breathing  
• If you are unable to urinate 
• If you have severe pain that is not improved with medications 
• If you experience a rash, nausea, vomiting, severe headache, severe constipation, or other unexpected reactions 
• If you have an oral temperature over 100.5 degrees. 
• If you have a question or concern that must be addressed prior to the follow-up visit. 
• If you have a complete blockage of sound from one of your ears.

Who Should I Call if I Have Questions? 

Please call our office at (972) 914-3660. You may also email photos or questions to info@dsa.live and someone will get in touch with you within 24-48 hours.