Surgical Instructions

Surgical Scheduling

Once the decision has been made that surgery is in your best interest, you will meet with our surgical coordinators to assist in scheduling a date that is convenient for you, your family, and the surgeon. The time of surgery may vary and you will be notified of this time several days prior to the procedure. Be aware, that certain circumstances arise that may cause your scheduled surgery date and time may change.

Pre-operative instructions

Certain medications may need to be stopped prior to your procedure. Please make sure your surgeon is aware of medications that you are taking, including over the counter and herbal ones.

Post-operative instructions

Please follow these instructions carefully when you are at home. Taking care of yourself will help you feel better, avoid any complications, and heal more quickly.

On the morning after your surgery, please remove the plastic dressing from your ear. This dressing may be bloody following surgery. Behind the ear may be a dried Telfa pad (white looking bandage). Please remove this Telfa pad revealing an incision behind the ear. It is possible, if your surgery was done through the ear canal, that no Telfa pad and, therefore, no incision will be present behind the ear. Keep the incision clean and dry.

Carefully look in the ear canal. There will be a bloody cotton ball. It is important to remove this cotton ball. Deep in the ear canal will be antibiotic ointment and absorbable packing. This is not to be disturbed. This may come out as you change the cotton balls. However, do not attempt to remove this absorbable packing. After the cotton ball has been removed, replace it with another cotton ball. Keep replacing the cotton ball until the cotton ball is dry without further bleeding or drainage. This should take 2-3 weeks. Antibiotic drops will be prescribed and used on the packing in the ear to keep it moist and bacteria free. This also allows easier removal of the packing on your follow up visit.

• Keep water out of your ear canal for 4-6 weeks after surgery.
• For a day or two, do not directly get your hair wet in the shower. You may clean around the ear and clean the hair with a washcloth. You may shower two days after surgery. It is helpful to place ointment (usually bacitracin or vaseline) on the cotton ball in the ear canal at this time and place ointment behind the ear on the incision to protect the incision from water unless not instructed to do so if “superglue” has been used as the ointment will cause the glue to breakdown.
• It is common in your ear to hear popping and to have a full sensation. It is also common for your outer ear to swell slightly and turn slightly forward. Your ear will protrude for several weeks after surgery and then usually returns to its normal position.
• You should not expect any significant changes in your hearing over the first 6-8 weeks following surgery, as it takes time for the inside of your ear to heal. Your hearing will be evaluated at a later point after you have healed adequately.
• For two to three weeks after surgery, do not strain yourself or lift anything that weighs over 5-10 pounds.
• Try not to blow your nose or sneeze. If you must sneeze, do so with your mouth open.

Call 248-865-4444 at any time either day or night if you have:

• Pain, redness, and swelling in or around your ear.
  
• Bad smell coming out of your ear.
  
• Fevers, chills, neck pain, or any other issues or questions that arise.

Appointment after surgery:

Unless you have been given other instructions, please call the office at 248-865-4444 to make an appointment for 7 to 10 days after your surgery. Your appointment may have already been made prior to you leaving the hospital.