Post-Operative Instructions

Take Care After Your Surgery

Listed below are instructions for Post-Operative Care. The doctor will review these instructions with you before your procedure. You may print a copy for your own reference.

1. Your surgeon will give you instructions concerning a return appointment to our office, at the time of your discharge from the hospital.
2. You may resume your regular activates as you feel able. Set your own pace. Please refrain from lifting anything heavier than 25 pounds for at least three weeks. If you have a tendency toward constipation, take a stool softener to lessen the need to strain while having a bowel movement.
3. There may be a plastic bubble over your ear. If there is, remove it the day after your operation by unfastening the velcro strap. The bubble will then just peel off your ear. Remove the piece of gauze from behind the ear. Clean the incision and apply bacitracin or polysporin to the wound twice a day for three days. Change the cotton ball in the ear canal 3 times a day until your return appointment.
4. Your hair, including the incision site, may be washed 5 days after the operation.
5. DO NOT LET WATER GET INTO THE EAR CANAL. If you have a cotton ball in your ear, change the cotton ball 3 times a day. There is ointment in the ear canal which will warm to your body temperature and eventually drain from your ear. The cotton ball prevents the drainage from getting on your clothes.
6. There may be some bloody drainage from the ear canal or behind your ear for a couple of weeks after your operation. This is normal. If you are concerned about the amount coming out, call your surgeon.
7. Things to watch for when you get home: Clear water-like drainage from the nose or incision site.
   a. Swelling of the wound.
   b. Pain or cramping in the legs.
   c. Redness, pain or pus-like drainage from the incision.
   d. Fever greater than 101.5 F.
   e. If you experience any of these, call your surgeon.
8. Do not blow your nose forcibly for two weeks following surgery. Air can be transmitted through the Eustachian tube into the middle ear space and disrupt the graft or any prostheses that has been placed.
9. If you must sneeze, try to do so through your mouth instead of your nose.

Should you experience difficulty upon returning home, or if you simply have questions, please contact us immediately. Once we have assessed your situation, we will be prepared to make specific suggestions for your care.