Do you have that strong desire to touch your recently completed ear surgery? Hold on for a bit and read carefully, for this might change the outcome of your surgery.
What is Otoplasty?
Otoplasty, or cosmetic ear surgery, is a technique that alters the form, size, or placement of the ears. If you’re disturbed by how much your ears protrude from your head. Or if your ears are deformed, because of an injury or a congenital condition, you should consider otoplasty or ear surgery.
Now that we tackled Otoplasty’s definition, let’s move on to the Do’s and Don’ts after your ear surgery.
Before we begin, everyone should know each individual has a unique situation and that they should always follow the advice of their selected otoplasty surgeon.
Following are some guidelines on what to do and what not to do following your otoplasty or ear surgery.
Do’s after your otoplasty or ear surgery
Maintain an Elevated Head Position. You’ll need to keep your head raised as much as possible for the first several weeks following your treatment to ensure normal blood flow. Although some swelling is common in the days following the treatment, keeping your head elevated will help limit the risk of significant inflammation and redness. Always keep a set of comfy pillows on available to assist support your head in an upward position when sleeping.
Consume a Healthy, Balanced Diet. During your rehabilitation, it’s critical to eat a well-balanced diet. A well-balanced diet provides all the nutrients your body requires to recuperate quickly. Soy, poultry, fish, beans, dairy, eggs, meat, almonds, and cheese are examples of protein-rich meals that can help you recuperate rapidly. You can eat berries, veggies, and fat-containing meals besides protein-rich foods.
Follow your surgeon’s prescriptions. Your otoplasty surgeon would then prescribe pain relievers and anti-inflammatories to help relieve swelling and pain. It is advisable to take these prescriptions precisely as prescribed and set reminders to help you remember.
Wear bandages as recommended. Following the otoplasty treatment, surgical bandages are used to hold your newly positioned ears in place. Removing or adjusting them might delay your recuperation, put you at risk of infection, or cause significant damage to your ears. Follow your otoplasty surgeon’s instructions and keep them clean and dry all the time.
Don’ts after your otoplasty or ear surgery
Refrain from touching your ears. Local anesthesia is used for most cosmetic ear surgery treatments. Which means you won’t be drowsy or nauseated after the operation. Which means, after your operation, you will be functional again. For the first few weeks, however, avoid touching or rubbing your ears excessively, whether deliberately or unconsciously. This is to maintain your ears in the correct position and avoid injuring the incisions, which can cause your recovery to be delayed. Because both your ears will be desensitized, it will be difficult for you to experience trauma. You should walk about with caution. We also recommend sleeping on your back to avoid inflicting pain on your ears.
Stop Smoking. Smoking, as well as being in the company of those who smoke, can have a negative impact on your rehabilitation. Smoking can lead to poor healing, uneven scarring, and a delay in recovery. For at least 2 weeks following your operation, refrain from smoking and breathing secondhand smoke.
Stay out of direct sunlight. For a month or two, stay out of direct sunlight and avoid high temperatures. For a few weeks, you’ll have numb ears. As a result, they may be oblivious to any damage that excessive temperatures may do. To prevent burns, hair dryers should be off limits.
Conclusion
Considering all of these, recovery from otoplasty or ear surgery is not something you expect to be done in an instant. It requires time, patience, and effort. Having good communication with your preferred otoplasty surgeon is the first step to your recovery. Know your Surgeon’s opinion about your case, set reminders, and always trust the process.
