Otoplasty recovery
Recovery after otoplasty is usually straightforward, but your ears do need quiet time to heal. In the first week, the most important things are rest, keeping your head garment on as instructed, and avoiding pressure on the ears.
Otoplasty surgery Brisbane & Gold Coast
Understanding otoplasty and ear reshaping surgery
Otoplasty before and after photos
These images show examples of otoplasty surgery performed by Dr Andrew Hadj. Every patient’s ear shape, cartilage, skin and healing process is different, so your own outcome may vary.
Before and after images are shown with patient consent. They are intended as general examples only and do not guarantee a specific result.
Otoplasty recovery Brisbane & Gold coast
Recovery after ear surgery
You may feel some tightness, tenderness or mild discomfort after ear surgery. This is expected, and simple pain relief is often enough for most patients. Antibiotics may also be prescribed.
Before you go home, we will talk through your dressing care, sleeping position, showering, work or school, and when you can return to exercise.
Rest and protect the ears
In the first week after otoplasty surgery, your ears will be protected with a dressing or head garment. This helps support the new position of the ears while early healing begins.
Your ears may feel tender, swollen or tight. Some bruising can also occur. This is usually part of the normal healing process.
The main focus during this first week is to rest and protect your ears. Avoid exercise, sport, heavy lifting, rough play, and anything that could bend, bump or pull the ears. You should also avoid sleeping directly on your ears.
Simple pain relief is usually enough for most patients during otoplasty recovery. Antibiotics may also be prescribed. If sutures need to be removed, this is commonly done around day 7.
Review and continued head garment use
Around day 7, many patients feel more comfortable. Swelling and tenderness can still be present, but the first stage of healing is usually settling.
This is often when we review the ears, check the incision areas, and remove sutures if needed. We will also talk about the next stage of your otoplasty recovery and answer practical questions about work, school, showering, sleeping and activity.
At this stage, the head dressing or head garment usually still needs to be worn for another week. This helps protect the ears and support their position while the cartilage continues to settle.
Many adults can return to work after about 5 days, depending on their job and comfort. Children may return to school once they feel comfortable and the ears can be protected from bumps or contact.
Head garment usually finishes
By around 2 weeks after otoplasty surgery, the head garment is typically no longer needed during the day, although I will confirm this based on your healing.
Your ears may still feel sensitive, and you should continue to be careful with sleeping, hair washing, clothing, headphones, helmets and anything that places pressure on the ears.
Exercise can usually restart after about 2 weeks, but this should be gentle at first. Contact sport, rough play, swimming, gym training or any activity where the ears may be bumped should wait until you have been cleared.
Sleeping directly on the ears is usually avoided until around 2 weeks, and sometimes longer if the ears still feel tender.
Dressing and support
Once the incisions are closed, a dressing or head garment is applied.
This protects the ears and helps support their position in the early healing stage. You will be given clear instructions on how long to wear it and how to look after the area at home.
Working is usually fine after about 5 days, depending on your comfort and the type of work you do.
Bathing and showering are usually fine after 2 days, but you will be given specific instructions about your dressings and when the ears can get wet.
Driving is usually fine after 2 days, as long as you are comfortable, not taking strong pain medication, and able to move safely.
Exercise can usually restart after about 2 weeks, but this should be gradual.
Sleeping on your ears is usually avoided for around 2 weeks.
Otoplasty recovery is different for every patient, but many people return to work or school within about 5 to 7 days. A head garment is usually worn for around 2 weeks, and exercise is often avoided during this time.
For patients having otoplasty in Brisbane or the Gold Coast, Dr Andrew Hadj will give you a recovery plan based on your surgery, age, work, school and lifestyle.
Most patients wear a head garment or head compression for around 2 weeks after otoplasty surgery. The garment helps protect the ears and support their new position while healing begins.
Dr Hadj will explain exactly how long you need to wear it and when it can be removed for showering or cleaning.
Otoplasty recovery is usually more uncomfortable than painful. You may feel tightness, tenderness or pressure around the ears, especially in the first few days.
Simple pain relief is often enough for most patients, and antibiotics may be prescribed after ear surgery.
Many adults can return to work around 5 days after otoplasty surgery, especially if their work is not physically demanding.
If your job involves helmets, headsets, manual work or risk of bumping the ears, you may need more time or modified duties.
Children may return to school once they are comfortable and the ears can be protected. This is often after about 1 week, but it depends on the child and the school environment.
It is important to avoid playground activity, contact sport and anything that may bump or pull the ears during early otoplasty recovery.
Light exercise can usually restart after about 2 weeks, depending on how you are healing. Contact sport, swimming, gym training or activities involving helmets should wait until Dr Hadj has cleared you.
The ears are still settling during this time, so it is better not to rush.
Sleeping directly on your ears is usually avoided for around 2 weeks after otoplasty surgery. Sleeping on your back can help protect the ears while they heal.
Dr Hadj will let you know when it is safe to sleep more normally again.
You can read more on the otoplasty procedure page. It explains how ear surgery is performed, where incisions are placed, how the cartilage is reshaped, and what happens before the recovery stage begins.
Where do you operate?
I consult from my private rooms at Mater Private Clinic and I operate as a plastic surgeon at many private hospitals in Brisbane, Queensland.
I can see Gold Coast patients from my private rooms: Shop 9/109 West Burleigh Rd, Burleigh Waters. I operate at
Plastic Surgery Queensland
Suite 2.01
Mater Private Clinic
550 Stanley Street
South Brisbane QLD 4101
Plastic Surgery Queensland
Gold Coast
109 W. Burleigh Road
Burleigh Waters QLD 4220
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