No bending over, lifting heavy objects, or stooping.
Change cotton ball and band aid to ear daily and/or if it becomes saturated. When removing cotton ball, be careful not to remove pcking. Your packing may be removed by your surgeon 10-14 days post operatively in the office.
Keep incision line and/or ear dry. You may shower with your physician’s approval. Avoid swimming or diving.
You must have your physician’s permission to wash your hair after surgery. To wash hair, hold a Styrofoam cup to ear (covering incision). Hold head so to direct water away from ear.
To avoid sudden pressure changes in the ear and prevent damage to graft, do not blow your nose, fly in a small airplane, or sky dive during the recovery period.
If you feel you must sneeze, do this through an open mouth, saying “Ah-choo.”
Avoid smoking.
Consult your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist before taking aspirin products (Anacin, Pepto Bismol, Ecotrin, Ascripton, Bufferin, Aspergum) and ibuprofen products (Advil, Nuprin, Motrin) in your recovery period. They can all cause bleeding. If you have questions regarding any other medication you are taking, please ask.
Avoid large crowds or people with known illnesses during your recovery, as you are more prone to infection.
Resume activity slowly. Over activity may disturb graft or initiate bleeding. With any activity, move slowly to avoid dizziness.
There may be a temporary hearing loss for a few weeks after surgery because of tissue swelling (edema).
Symptoms to report to your physician immediately:

Bright red bleeding from ear

Inability to take or retain food or fluids due to nausea or vomiting

Persistent fever over 101 degrees by mouth.

If there is an incision, report separation of incision line, bleeding, or odorous pus drainage.

Increase in amount of pain