| Assuming the patient has thoroughly researched | | | | is conducive to healing. Wardrobe is a crucial detail of |
| surgeons and made an informed decision and | | | | preparing for an otoplasty. On the day of the |
| otoplasty has been deemed the correct approach, | | | | surgery and for weeks during recovery, the patient |
| the first step in the process is the pre-operation | | | | should wear comfortable clothes that do not require |
| consultation. The doctor will discuss with the patient | | | | pulling over the head. Such motion can bend or pull at |
| realistic expectations and feasible options for the | | | | the ears, and children especially should adhere to this |
| procedure. Costs, payment options, insurance | | | | rule. |
| coverage as well as surgical benefits, the surgery | | | | Cutting or coloring of the hair should be done in the |
| itself, and the recovery should be discussed at this | | | | days prior, and adults are urged to wash their hair |
| time. | | | | the morning of the surgery; women should arrive |
| Weeks prior to the day of the surgery, young | | | | with hair pulled back. |
| children should be prepared regarding their feelings, | | | | After surgery care vastly contributes to the healing |
| fears, and expectations. Preparations should be made | | | | and optimal results of cosmetic ear surgery, and |
| for missing schools and for missing work; children | | | | even though the patient will be anxious to see |
| should be prepared to miss at least a week of | | | | results, heavy bandages will need to remain in place |
| school, though adults can often return to work after | | | | for a few days. Lighter bandages will follow these |
| a few days of routine healing. The patient should | | | | "fluff" bandages, and the patient should expect to |
| designate a caretaker for immediately after the | | | | wear a headband for several weeks following the |
| procedure and for at least the first night following. All | | | | permanent removal of bandages. The headband |
| patients should discontinue medicinal products | | | | should be worn at all times, especially throughout the |
| containing aspirin and cease using cigarettes and | | | | night, to ensure that the ears will heal in the desired |
| tobacco products. Other medications may need to be | | | | position. |
| discontinued, so it is imperative that the doctor be | | | | Clearly, washing the hair will pose an issue as the ears |
| privy to any and every prescription and over the | | | | heal, and blow dryers, curling, irons, etc. should be |
| counter medication the patient may be taking. | | | | avoided as well as hair products that could seep into |
| The day before the surgery, as with any surgery | | | | incisions and cause infection. Sports and contact |
| that includes a general anesthesia, the patient will not | | | | sports will need to be avoided until the ears are |
| be allowed to eat or drink after midnight. A patient | | | | completely healed. Children can expect to miss recess |
| could also take this time to solidify plans for missing | | | | and other physical education activities. The healing |
| work and school, and for preparing a wardrobe that | | | | period for after and otoplasty is roughly six weeks. |