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After your operation, a head dressing will be wrapped around your head, fully covering the ears. There will be a fair amount of pressure associated with this dressing. 

• There will be a mild to moderate amount of pain and discomfort associated with the surgery. This should be easily controlled with oral medications such as plain Tylenol (acetaminophen) for mild pain and codeine (or equivalent if allergy to codeine exists) for moderate pain. 
• The discomfort and pain should begin to decrease within 48 hours after surgery. Any marked increase in pain the night after surgery is of concern and will require a visit to the Emergency Department before your office appointment scheduled the day after surgery. 
• The head dressing is removed after 5 to 7 days and then shampooing can be resumed.

CALL THE OFFICE PROMPTLY IF YOU NOTICE ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

• significant increase in pain after the first  6 to 8 hours following surgery
• development of a temperature exceeding 38C or 100.4F
• the dressing shifts significantly or falls off
• if, after the dressing is removed, you injure the ear or notice any increase in pain or change in shape of the ear

How do I care for myself after surgery?

• Leave the dressing over the ears undisturbed. 
• Take any antibiotics and pain medication only as prescribed by Dr. Tietze. 
• The head dressings will be removed approximately 5 to 7 days after surgery. Some sutures may be left to dissolve on their own. 
• You should wear a light supportive headband over the ears at night for an additional 4 weeks after surgery to prevent inadvertent injury to the ears. 
• Sleep with the head elevated for the first 48 hours. 
• Heat and ice after surgery are impractical as the bulky dressings will prevent their use. Thus, neither is generally recommended.