Otoplasty Recovery Timeline: What To Expect Week-By-Week

If you’re considering otoplasty, you might be wondering what to expect after your surgery. Patients often ask us what the recovery timeline looks like, and how soon they can return to the things that matter to them most: work, school, sports and other daily activities.

The good news is that otoplasty recovery tends to be straightforward, with progress you can really see each week. With the right care and realistic expectations, most people are surprised by how smoothly the process is from start to finish.

At Texas Liposuction Specialty Clinic in Houston, TX, board-certified and craniofacial-fellowship-trained plastic surgeon Dr. Eric Payne has created a detailed roadmap and week-by-week aftercare guide to help you know exactly what to expect after you (or your child’s) ear surgery.

General Otoplasty Recovery Guidelines

Before diving into the week-by-week timeline, let’s cover the essential recovery guidelines that apply throughout your healing journey.

View Otoplasty Aftercare Instructions

Bandages & Head Wrap

Right after surgery, your ears will be covered in bandages supported by a head wrap. This dressing can be bulky and certainly won’t win you any fashion awards, but it’s essential for keeping your ears stable and protected during the initial healing phase, when they are the most vulnerable, swollen and tender. These bandages come off and are replaced with an earband at your first post-op follow-up appointment, usually about a week later.

Earband

Once those initial bandages come off, you’ll transition to wearing an earband, keeping your ears protected from accidental bumps and bruises. Many patients opt for a soft, neoprene earband that goes on easily, but a winter headband that is wide enough to protect the ears is also acceptable. The important thing is that it doesn’t pull or rub against the incision sites when worn.

Dr. Payne recommends picking up your earband before surgery and bringing it to your one-week appointment to ensure it fits properly. If needed, safety pins can be used to help tighten the earband, taking care that it isn’t too snug. You’ll be wearing it 24/7 for the next week, so comfort matters! After that, you’ll transition to using the earband only at night for four weeks.

Medications

You’ll receive specific instructions about pain management and any antibiotics needed to prevent infection after your surgery. Most patients find the discomfort manageable with over-the-counter medications like Tylenol or Advil. Dr. Payne may also advise taking an over-the-counter allergy medication to help with itching.

Clothing

It’s important to avoid tugging or pulling on your ears in the early stages of recovery. One of the biggest culprits of accidental injury to healing ears is getting dressed in the morning. Shirts or sweaters that go on over the head can catch on your ears and cause pain or irritation, so it’s a good idea to opt for clothing with buttons or zippers in the front to eliminate this possibility. We also recommend avoiding anything with a high, stiff collar or neckline for the same reason.

Post-Op Activity Restrictions

Understanding what to avoid is just as important as knowing what steps to take during your recovery. While you’ll need to modify or restrict certain activities for a few weeks, these simple precautions help ensure proper healing and results that exceed your expectations.

No Scratching or Rubbing

As your ears heal, they might feel itchy. This is a completely normal response, caused by the body releasing histamines to recruit immune cells and promote tissue repair. However, scratching or rubbing can disrupt healing, introduce pathogens to the area (increasing the risk of infection) and affect your results. A cold compress and oral antihistamine can help minimize itchiness and reduce the urge to scratch.

No Contact Sports

Any activity where your ears could get bumped, hit or pulled needs to be put on hold for at least six weeks. This includes basketball, football, wrestling and similar sports where contact is likely. Even seemingly minor impacts can cause significant problems during the healing phase, potentially shifting the position of the cartilage or reopening incision sites. Stick to low-impact activities until Dr. Payne gives you or your child the all-clear.

No Swimming

Swimming in pools, hot tubs, lakes and oceans is off-limits for at least three weeks. Water exposure can increase the risk of infection by introducing bacteria and other contaminants to the incision sites, while chlorinated pool water can irritate healing tissues. Even taking baths should be avoided during the first week of recovery. Stick to sponge baths or careful showering with your ears protected by the earband or waterproof covers.

No Over-the-Ear Headphones

Over-the-ear headphones will put pressure on areas that need to remain undisturbed. The constant compression can also reduce blood flow to healing tissues and may cause discomfort or swelling. Earbuds are fine once cleared by Dr. Payne (usually after the first week), but those big, cushioned headphones will have a few more weeks to give your ears time to heal more.

No Smoking

Smoking, vaping and nicotine use in general can impair healing by restricting blood flow and oxygenation, starving vulnerable tissues of the nutrients they need to recover from surgery. This can lead to poor wound healing, increased scarring and prolonged pain or discomfort.

Week-By-Week Recovery Timeline

Now that you understand the essential guidelines and restrictions, let’s walk through exactly what you can expect during each phase of the recovery process.

Week 1

Immediately after surgery, most patients experience mild to moderate discomfort rather than severe pain. Children often bounce back more quickly than adults, though they may need extra comfort and distraction during these first few days.

To keep the ears protected, they’ll be bandaged and supported with a head wrap. When you come in for your post-op appointment, about a week later, these bandages are removed and replaced with an earband. You or your child can return to work or school after this first week with only minimal discomfort. Most light activities can also be resumed at this time, but contact sports, rough play and swimming are still restricted until cleared by Dr. Payne.

During the first week of recovery, it’s also best to sleep in a reclining position or in a recliner, with a soft neck pillow and your head elevated. This helps reduce swelling and avoids putting too much pressure on your ears. If you’re a side sleeper, using a neck pillow at night can help you stay on your back.

Week 1 Snapshot: 

• Mild pain or discomfort
• Swelling peaks three to five days after surgery
• No strenuous activities or exercise
• Avoid bending over or activities that increase blood flow to the head
• Sleep with your head elevated
• No swimming, hot showers or anything that gets the ears wet

Week 2

By the second week, your comfort levels will be higher and swelling will noticeably decrease. You’ll also begin to see glimpses of your final results. The ears might appear to “stick out” less, with continued improvements that develop and refine as healing progresses.

Most people can return to work or school after the first week of recovery, provided their job doesn’t involve anything too strenuous. Light walking is encouraged to promote healing, but nothing more vigorous than that.

Week 2 Snapshot:

• The ears may feel tight or tender, but most discomfort resolves
• Swelling noticeably decreases
• Patients can return to desk work or school
• Protective earband is worn 24/7 for the next two weeks
• Continue to strenuous activities

Week 3-4

Week three often feels like a turning point for many patients. Your ears should feel pretty much back to normal, with only residual swelling. Any lingering puffiness that remains is relatively minor, so you’re now seeing about 90% of what your final results will look like. You may even have some numbness in areas of the ear.

You’ll transition to wearing your earband only at night during this time, and you’ll be able to get back to most of your regular activities and workouts. Dr. Payne typically clears swimming after three weeks, depending on how the incisions are healing, but contact sports are still off-limits.

One thing to keep in mind: itchiness tends to peak two to three weeks after surgery. Resist the urge to scratch! Take an antihistamine and apply cold compresses to reduce the sensation.

Week 3-4 Snapshot:

• Most visible swelling resolves
• Healing incisions start to itch
• Sleeping becomes more comfortable
• Swimming and other light activities can be resumed
• Continue to avoid contact sports until week six

Weeks 5-6

By weeks four and five, your healing has progressed significantly. Your ears are settling into their new position, revealing your final results, and activity restrictions continue to be lifted. Contact sports like football, basketball, hockey or wrestling can be safely resumed after week six.

The incisions behind the ears also begin to mature and fade during this time, making them less noticeable. They will continue to fade over the next 12 to 18 months. Dr. Payne may recommend specific scar care protocols to optimize healing and reduce any visible scarring.

Week 5-6 Snapshot:

• Contact sports can be resumed at week six
• Final results have mostly developed
• Incisions begin to mature and fade
• Continue to wear earband at night, as directed by Dr. Payne

Does Recovery Vary Depending on Which Type of Ear Surgery Was Performed?

While many people think of otoplasty as a single procedure, Dr. Payne actually performs several different types of ear surgery, each with its own recovery considerations. Understanding which type of procedure you’re having helps set realistic expectations for your healing journey.

• Ear Pinning: This is the most common type of otoplasty, designed to bring protruding ears closer to the head. Recovery tends to be straightforward because the procedure primarily involves reshaping existing cartilage rather than removing tissue.
• Ear Reduction: When the ears are disproportionately large, Dr. Payne may need to remove excess cartilage and skin. This more complex procedure requires additional healing time since tissue has been removed.
• Ear Augmentation: For patients with underdeveloped ears, ear augmentation involves adding structure to the outer portion of the ear. This procedure requires careful healing to ensure proper integration of the augmented areas.
• Earlobe Repair: Earlobe repair addresses damage or trauma from heavy earrings, gauges or injury. The earlobes have an excellent blood supply for faster healing.
• Ear Molding: Also referred to as “incisionless otoplasty,” ear molding is a nonsurgical method for reshaping the ears of infants while the cartilage is still soft and pliable. As an incisionless and nonsurgical treatment, recovery is minimal.

When to Contact Dr. Payne’s Office

While complications from otoplasty are rare, especially when performed by an experienced surgeon like Dr. Payne, it’s important to know when to seek medical attention.

Immediate Concerns

• Severe, increasing pain not controlled by prescribed medication
• Signs of infection, including fever, excessive redness or unusual drainage
• Bleeding that doesn’t stop with gentle pressure
• Sudden changes in ear position or shape

Less Urgent but Important

• Persistent numbness beyond the expected timeframe
• Concerns about scarring or healing
• Questions about activity restrictions or care instructions

Dr. Payne’s commitment to patient care means that his team is always available to address questions or concerns, ensuring your or your child’s recovery progresses smoothly.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Choosing the right surgeon for otoplasty makes all the difference in your results and experience. Dr. Payne’s fellowship training in craniofacial surgery provides him with specialized knowledge that other plastic surgeons simply don’t have. His advanced training, combined with a commitment to patient comfort and education, ensures you receive the highest level of care throughout your journey. Stop wondering “what if” and start planning your transformation. Call Texas Liposuction Specialty Clinic at 713-401-9090 to schedule your consultation today.