Ear Surgery: A Week-by-Week Look at the Actual Recovery Process

Otoplasty corrects the shape or projection of the outer ear. At the Mallorca Medical Group clinic in Palma, one of the most frequently asked questions isn’t about the surgery itself, but rather what happens afterward: how long the bandage stays on, when you can sleep on your side, and what level of swelling is to be expected. Otoplasty at Mallorca Medical Group is planned on an individual basis. This text describes a typical course of recovery, not a schedule that applies to everyone.

What is recovering?

Prominent ears typically have a poorly defined antihelix, a deep concha, or both. The surgery reshapes the cartilage and secures it in a position closer to the skull, almost always through an incision in the crease behind the ear. The Spanish Society of Plastic, Reconstructive, and Aesthetic Surgery (SECPRE) describes otoplasty as a procedure to reposition prominent ears, with a scar hidden on the back of the ear.

Cartilage does not behave like the skin on the face. It is stiffer, heals at a different rate, and requires mechanical protection for weeks. That is why the bandage and the brace are not just for cosmetic purposes: they support the new shape while the internal sutures do their job.

Ear Surgery Recovery: First Week

In the first few days, there is swelling, a feeling of tightness, and, sometimes, a slight bruise around the ear. The pain is usually moderate and can be managed with the pain medication prescribed during the consultation. This is not a painless postoperative period: the ears are highly innervated, and the pressure from the bandage is noticeable.

The turban-style bandage is worn for the first few days, according to the protocol for each case. The clinic’s procedure page specifies an initial bandage, followed by an elastic band. You should avoid getting the area wet, pulling on the ear, or wearing glasses with temples that rest on the scar. Rest is relative: you can walk, but you should avoid sports or activities that increase pressure in the head.

Please let us know if you experience pain that increases suddenly, one side that is much more swollen than the other, a fever, or bleeding that soaks through the bandage. These symptoms are not part of the normal recovery process and should be evaluated during a clinic visit, not via text message.

Weeks Two and Three

When the bandage is removed, the ears may appear closer together than they will eventually be, with folds that are still stiff and skin that is somewhat purplish. That appearance is not the final result. The scar, behind the ear, is pink and sensitive.

From there, patients usually switch to a soft headband or headband, especially at night, for several weeks. The goal is to prevent the ear from folding against the pillow. Sleeping on your back is the safest position during this phase. Sedentary work is usually resumed before sports; contact sports, swimming, and tight-fitting helmets should be postponed until the follow-up visit.

From the first to the third month

Visible swelling gradually subsides. Sensation may be altered: tingling, numbness, or a sensation of hard cartilage. This usually improves over time; it does not disappear overnight. Internal sutures are not removed; external sutures, if any, are checked during the follow-up visit.

Physical activity is resumed in stages. Walking and non-contact exercise come before sports in which the ear might take a blow. Direct sunlight on the fresh scar can cause it to darken; it’s best to cover or protect it while it’s still pink.

What Otoplasty Does Not Change

Surgery does not guarantee that both ears will be identical. The initial asymmetry is almost never zero, and a slight difference may remain. Nor does it change the overall size of the ear if the problem was only the projection: a large ear (macrotia) is treated differently.

Hearing is not the focus of this procedure. If there is recurrent otitis, a wax plug, or a concern regarding the ear canal, those issues are evaluated separately. Otoplasty is not a substitute for an otological examination when the reason for the visit is hearing or an infection.

In childhood, the decision to proceed is not based solely on the parents’ wishes. The cartilage must be firm enough, and the child must understand, to the extent appropriate for their age, what the bandaging entails. In some cases, skull growth reduces the prominence, and surgery is no longer indicated. In adults, the cartilage is firmer, and the planning process takes into account glasses, helmets, work, and sports. This approach, which differs from that used in childhood, is discussed in detail in the article on otoplasty in adults and its planning.

When is the result evaluated?

The shape becomes apparent soon after the bandage is removed. It takes months for the cartilage to settle and the scar to heal. Discussing a stable result before that time has passed leads to hasty conclusions. A touch-up, if it is even considered, is not decided during the first few weeks of swelling.

Dr. García Ceballos, a specialist in plastic, reconstructive, and cosmetic surgery (MD, FCCP, and MRCS (I) England) with 25 years of clinical experience, bases this decision on a case-by-case basis. There is no single discharge protocol or universal date for removing the band.

How Decisions Are Made in a Consultation

The evaluation assesses the projection, the fold of the antihelix, the depth of the concha, the quality of the cartilage, and the patient’s expectations. Previous scarring, allergies to bandages, and the patient’s actual work or school schedule are also discussed. The consultation at Mallorca Medical Group is not free: it is a medical visit that includes an examination and a treatment plan, which may involve not proceeding with surgery.

Anyone who would like to find out if otoplasty is right for them can schedule an appointment at mallorcamedicalgroup.com. The recovery process described here is for general guidance only. Dressings, pain medication, and follow-up visits are prescribed after the patient is examined, not based on an article.