Rest, minimal activity allowed.
Resume a regular diet, but avoid sour or spicy foods. Advance diet slowly. Start with clear liquids.
Cold compresses applied to the area affected or allowed for 10 minutes every couple of hours.
Do not shower. You may shower 48 hours after drains and dressings have been removed.
Expect some drainage from the wound site, reinforced dressing was as needed. If this becomes excessive, report this to the physician.
Take postoperative medications as prescribed.
There may be an external dressing which will be removed from 24 hours after surgery.
For exposed incisions, apply bacitracin ointment as prescribed.
For incision covered with Steri-strips (colored tape), do not remove these, they will fall off in 7 days. No bacitracin needs to be applied.
Arrange for a responsible adult to remain with you for 24 hours.
Rest for the first 24 hours.
No exercise for 2 weeks.
No lifting more than 25 pounds for one week.
Resume regular diet.
Keep operated ear dry
You will have a bandage on your ear you can remove after 24 hours. Keep this it may be comfortable to wear the bandage when sleeping for the first week after surgery. Remove this bandage often that has velcro, as well as any gauze or large cotton balls that will be in the ear bowl. In the ear canal itself will be a very small sponge, please leave that alone. Dr. Kelsch will take care of any packing removal that includes the ear canal.
You may place ear drops in the ear canal as instructed. These can be applied to the ear canal even if there is a packing inside that is planned for removal. Use the ear drops at least twice daily.
Expect temporary loss of hearing and potentially some ringing and disequilibrium. Often after surgery temporary loss of balance will occur. You may ask more about this at your follow up appointment.
Your sense of taste including salt and sweet may be different, this may include a slightly metallic taste. This should improve over time, but may take 2-3 months to improve to normal.
Do not drive or operate machinery
Do not consume alcohol
Avoid making critical legal decisions
Contact your physician for fever greater than 101°F, pain not relieved by medications, persistent nausea or vomiting, inability to urinate, or excessive bleeding.
Contact 911 for shortness of breath, chest pain, loss of vision, double vision or loss of consciousness.
Comprehensive Therapy for all Disorders of the Head and Neck
3501 North Scottsdale Rd., Suite 160
Scottsdale, AZ 85251
(480) 273-8448
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