Your Recovery Guideline After Otoplasty in Toronto

LEARN MORE ABOUT OTOPLASTY PROCEDURES

Thankfully, some elements of Toronto otoplasty recovery make it easier than other procedures. The benefits are numerous because almost instantly, patients see improvement and look forward to wearing their hair differently, ditching hats, and no longer feeling embarrassed about their ears protruding.

Try not to touch your ears after otoplasty in Toronto

It’s tempting to examine any body area post-surgery because people are naturally curious and will fixate on what’s different. Your ears will have protective tapes over incision sites, and a gauze dressing applied, but you must take extra care not to consciously or accidentally touch them. This procedure has a low complication rate, however irritating or pulling at incisions could delay healing, cause bleeding or lead to infection. Move about carefully because your ear tissue may feel numb and won’t give the usual warning signs with pressure. You’ll be advised to sleep on your back to avoid compressing healing ears.

If advised to, wear your compression headband

Right after surgery, a soft dressing covers the ears and will be removed sometime in the first week. After the surgeon’s checkup, a stretchy headband is typically applied and will be worn day and night for a couple more weeks. Your surgeon may advise you to continue wearing it during the day for the first month. The headband provides gentle support and helps prevent accidental movement of the ears as could occur when getting dressed. Every step you can take to ensure a safe, optimal recovery is worth the effort.

While you can expect only minor discomfort as you heal, there are some things you can do to make the process even smoother. Here are your need-to-know tips for otoplasty recovery. Read on to learn more.

Don’t consume nicotine or second-hand smoke

Smokers tend to experience delayed healing and a higher incidence of complication, such as irregular scarring. To ensure ample blood flow and fast incision healing, avoid cigarettes or nicotine 2 weeks before and after your procedure.

Keep your head elevated

Temporary swelling is normal after cosmetic surgery, but it can be minimized with careful positioning and activity restrictions. Prop up your head and shoulders, especially while you sleep. You can use extra firm cushions or elevate the head of the mattress. During the day, avoid bending over and heavy lifting as these increase the blood pressure in your head. Increasing facial/head pressure is not only painful but could cause bleeding.

Don’t scratch

Itchiness can be a positive sign of healing, but it’s a frustrating part of recovery. Ask your surgeon about oral or topical medication to help with extreme discomfort. Disturbing the incisions by scratching or rubbing may set back progress and cause infection. Let your surgeon know if you see redness, heat and swelling along with itching or pain at the incision site.

Avoid extreme temperatures and UV exposure

If you have your otoplasty during the winter, extra care to protect your delicate ears is necessary. You may not sense when the skin is becoming dangerously cold. Likewise, inflamed skin is prone to sun damage, and you might not notice if you’re developing a sunburn on your ears. Wear extra protection and cover up when possible. Scars may darken permanently in the sun, so applying sunblock is a good long-term plan. To learn more about Toronto otoplasty procedures, contact the Verso Surgery Centre today.