Home / Surgical Procedures / Face Procedures / Otoplasty / Otoplasty Recovery
Commonly referred to as ear pinning, otoplasty is a surgical procedure that reshapes the ear cartilage to improve the shape and projection of the ears. Recovery is relatively straightforward and mostly revolves around protecting the ears from bending or experiencing pressure. Of course, proper incision care is also necessary, and you may experience some discomfort. Patients report that otoplasty causes only very mild pain, however, which your surgeon will help you manage.
Recovering from ear pinning surgery isn’t all that taxing, but you will have to wear a headband full-time for the first week. Although the height of fashion in the 80s, today’s patients often opt to stay home until they can skip the headband. You could also throw on a pair of leg warmers to complete the look before going out, if you’re feeling daring. Here’s an overview of what else you can expect as you recover:
As is true for all surgeries, otoplasty recovery requires teamwork between you and your plastic surgeon. Just as you rely on your surgeon to do their part in the operating room, they rely on you to do yours when you get home. Following these aftercare tips and instructions helps you to become a good teammate:
Most patients are anxious to get life back to normal after surgery, and you can do so fairly quickly after ear pinning. Most patients can return to work and non-strenuous activities like walking within five to seven days of their procedure. You must, however, wait four to six weeks before engaging in intense workouts and contact sports.
Patients who wear glasses or headgear are often concerned about whether they can do so after an otoplasty. Please know that you can wear both immediately after your procedure. You may need to add some padding or make some temporary adjustments, but you should be able to wear face masks and glasses so long as you do so with care.
Although sometimes concerning to patients, there are few side effects that are common and expected after otoplasty. You may experience:
Otoplasty recovery is manageable and quick, with most patients returning to their typical daily activities within a week. Even so, your recovery may be influenced by your overall health, skin type, and other factors. For personalized answers about what you can expect during otoplasty recovery, schedule a free virtual consultation for answers to your questions and address any concerns.
Most patients recover within a week or two, with final results visible after one to three months.