After an ear correction, your skin and ears will need time to recover. Recovery is the same in children and adults. We often get asked what you can and cannot do after ear surgery and how to promote recovery. To get the most MOOI results, it’s important to carefully follow our instructions.

Headband

Immediately after surgery, you’ll wear a headband that will remain in place for one week. During this period, you cannot wash your hair. After one week, the headband is removed at the MOOI clinic and replaced with a tight hair band. The hairband should be worn day and night for another 1-2 weeks, and then another two weeks only at night.

You can wear your glasses over the headband.

Painkillers and other medications

When at rest, you usually don’t have pain symptoms after an ear correction. For the first few weeks, the ears may be somewhat sensitive, including being sensitive to cold weather. Many people don’t experience pain but suffer from itching of the ears. Although pain symptoms are different for everyone, a simple painkiller is often enough if you have discomfort. If necessary, use paracetamol as directed.

In consultation with the plastic surgeon, resume any blood thinners or other medications. Discuss this with the doctor.

The first days after ear surgery

The plastic surgeon informed you about the procedure beforehand. In order to obtain the most MOOI result and speed up your recovery, we recommend the following: (Unless expressly stated otherwise by the plastic surgeon).

After treatment, the auricles are somewhat red and swollen – that’s normal. On the day of surgery, some bloody fluid may come out from under the dressing – this is normal too. If you have questions about the swelling or fluid, you can always call us.

DON’T: DRIVE YOURSELF HOME

One thing you shouldn’t do immediately after surgery is get behind the wheel yourself. So, make sure there’s someone with you who can drive you home safely. Moreover, your head wil be wrapped with bandages. You may not drive a car for one week after surgery.

DO: REST

The first few days after your ear correction you should take it easy. This means slowing down a bit more than usual and not having to do (heavy) household tasks such as laundry, vacuuming, etc. You’ll have a good sense of what you can and cannot do yourself.

DON’T: APPLY PRESSURE

During the first week, don’t do any activities that cause pressure on the surgical area. Don’t lift, press or bend. After 1 week, you can slowly resume your activities unless advised otherwise by your treating physician.
Sports activities and heavy lifting can be resumed after 4 to 6 weeks.

DON’T: SHOWERING AND BATHING

The head dressing should not get wet. For the first week after your ear surgery, you cannot wash your hair. After the dressing is removed, you may shower quickly and wash your hair. Be sure to dry behind the ears thoroughly with a dry blower.

DON’T: DRINK ALCOHOL OR SMOKE

Definitely don’t! Smoking adversely affects blood flow to the tissues, which is precisely what’s important for proper recovery. We therefore recommend that you stop smoking at least 6 weeks before and after treatment. It is also better not to smoke after treatment. This accelerates the aging process and increases the risk of complications.
Don’t use alcohol in the first week after treatment because of the risk of post-treatment bleeding.

DON’T: SLEEP ON YOUR STOMACH OR SIDE

We recommend sleeping in a semi-seated position for the first few days to reduce swelling. It’s also best to sleep on your back to avoid putting pressure on the ears.

One week after your ear correction

After a week you’ll return for a check-up with the plastic surgeon. The head bandage will be removed and you’ll be given a tight hairband to wear day and night for one week. After that, wear the hairband for two weeks only at night. The hairband should only be taken off while showering. Your ears will still be swollen and possibly blue. This may persist for a few weeks and subside on its own.

After 1 week you’re allowed to do a little more again, but by no means everything! Always consult with the plastic surgeon.

YOU MAY DO THIS AGAIN:

• Short shower
• Driving
• Depending on your occupation, you may start working again (not intensively)
• Walking and gentle movements
• If your recovery goes well, you’ll be allowed to fly again after 2 weeks. Consult with the physician beforehand.
• Sleep however you want

YOU MAY NOT DO THIS YET:

• Sports, including no swimming (possible after 4 weeks)
• Face steaming
• Heavy lifting or physically strenuous work
• Tanning, sauna or tanning bed

After 2 weeks, you’ll return to MOOI Clinic and we’ll remove the stitches.

Six weeks after your ear correction

After six weeks, you’re usually well recovered from the surgery. The scars have healed and most of the swelling and bruising will be gone. A scar takes 12 months to fully mature. The color and thickness of the scar achieved at this point will likely remain. Protect the scar from the sun during this period.

After 6 weeks, you can generally resume all your normal activities.

Final check-up and result

After about 3 months, you’ll come for a final check-up at MOOI Clinic. The periods of recovery mentioned are averages and can vary greatly from person to person. You may have to wait a while to see the real end result. Even after 3 months, swelling may still be present. But once all the swelling has gone down you can properly assess the final result. Your ears may be sensitive to temperature changes for about 1 year after surgery, but you’ll enjoy the ear correction for the rest of your life.

Do you have any doubts about your situation, as to whether or not you should be allowed to do something? Then contact us!