How do I prepare for ear surgery?
Your surgeon will provide thorough preoperative instructions, answer any questions you may have, take a detailed medical history, and perform a physical exam to determine your fitness for surgery.
In advance of your procedure, your surgeon will ask you to:
- Stop smoking before undergoing surgery to promote better healing.
- Avoid taking aspirin, certain anti-inflammatory drugs, and some herbal medications that can cause increased bleeding.
- Hydrate before and after surgery for safe recovery.
- Practice good skin care. You should rinse the skin on and around your ears with warm water and use sunscreen.
Ear surgery is usually an outpatient procedure. Be sure to arrange for someone to drive you home after surgery. You should also plan for the recovery period by taking time off from work and ensuring that you have everything you’ll need close at hand while recovering.
What can I expect the day of my ear surgery?
Below is what you can generally expect, but be sure to consult with your surgeon before your surgery, so you have the most accurate expectations.
- On the day of your otoplasty procedure, you’ll be asked not to eat or drink anything. You should only drink the minimal amount of water needed to brush your teeth and rinse your mouth—anything more than this could result in the cancellation of your surgery. Wear comfortable clothing on the day of your procedure.
- You may have your ear surgery in an accredited hospital, free-standing ambulatory facility, or office-based surgical suite.
- Most ear surgery procedures take about two hours to complete, but it may be shorter or longer.
- The surgeon will administer medications for your comfort during the surgical procedure.
- General anesthesia is commonly used during ear surgery. In some instances, the surgeon will use local anesthesia or intravenous sedation instead.
- For your safety during the surgery, various monitors will be used to check your heart, blood pressure, pulse, and the amount of oxygen circulating in your blood.
- After your procedure, you will go to a recovery area for continued monitoring.
- You will likely go home after a short observation period unless you and your surgeon have made other plans for your immediate postoperative recovery.