Otoplasty

• Share your health information with your plastic surgeon, remember to mention if you have allergies, previous surgeries, use of medications, vitamins or supplements and any other relevant medical information
• Your surgeon will ask you questions about what you would like to improve
• Your will be physically examined to determine which will be the best technique to perform for your particular case
• Photos at different angles will be requested in order to carry out a complete evaluation
• Pre-surgery blood tests will be ordered
• You’ll need to quit smoking completely

🗓️ 1 MONTH BEFORE SURGERY

• Stop smoking 1 month before your scheduled procedure
• Stop taking alcohol 1 week before the procedure
• Avoid using aspirin, fish oil, garlic and omegas, at least 3 weeks before the procedure *if you are medically required to do so, it is very important you let your medical coordinator know about this
• No exercise 3 days before the surgery
• Avoid eating very greasy food 2 days before your surgery
• No skin tanning 2 weeks before the procedure to avoid skin damage
• Plan for your stay in Cancun for surgery and recovery
• Make sure you have lose button down shirts to use during the recovery
• Get a suitcase with wheels!!!! Most of the times you won’t be allowed to carry anything heavy for a couple of weeks.

⚠️ The day / night before the surgery you will be requested NOT to EAT or DRINK anything 8 hours before the procedure. This is a very important request that you will have to follow in order to assure your personal safety during the surgery.

Anesthesia

Local anesthesia is applied directly in the ear in order to completely numb the areas so that your surgeon can begin work.  In cases that some patients are very nervous a mild sedation is given prior the beginning of the procedure for patient’s comfort.

Description of the Procedure, Incisions and Sutures

The incisions are minimally invasive, depending on the final objective of the surgery, usually hidden under the creases and folds of the ears. In some cases cartilage might need to be removed to place the ears in a more aesthetic to set the ear closer to the head. The suture used is very fine, thinner than a hair, and will be removed within 7 to 10 days after the procedure.

Right After Surgery

After the procedure is finished, your surgeon will place a small drain and an ear shaper and a head bandage in order to protect the ear and allow that the new reshaped ear stays in place. Your surgeon will provide with a prescription for antibiotics and pain killers to help with the swelling and avoid risk of infections. After a few days you will come in the office to check the drain and remove it and have your bandages removed, but you will still need compression with a  head bandana. Some sutures dissolve and others will need to be removed by your surgeon. Detailed instructions will be given for you to take home as well as the date for your next appointment for removing the stitches.

After the procedure the plastic surgeons will leave a head bandage in order to help with the healing process. You will wear the bandage for a 1 week. Afterwords you will be required to wear a smaller band to hold your ears back.

You must take in consideration the following:

• Take your medications as indicated on your post-operative care papers.
• First follow-up post-surgical appointment will be between the 3rd and 5th day
• Relative rest for 15 days
• No sexual activity for 4 weeks
• You should not exercise or exert yourself in the next 4 weeks
• You will be able to shower after your first office check-up with your doctor
• You should not be in the sun or sunbathe for the next 4 weeks
• You shouldn’t be touching your wounds
• You have to keep your compression garment at all times
• You will need to sleep on your back in a semi-sitting position at least the following 15 days
• You should not smoke at all

⚠️ It is very important that you understand that not following this instructions can ruin the results for your surgery.

After the procedure, the plastic surgeon will prescribe pain relievers and antibiotics. It is recommended that during the month following the procedure you do not expose yourself to the sun, or stay in very hot places. Likewise, you should avoid exercising for a period of approximately 4 to 6 weeks. It is important that you follow the recommendations of your surgeon to obtain a good result.

You may go back to work in 7 days.

Recovery is quite fast, you will be able to return to your hotel / home a few hours after the procedure. The stitches are removed 10-14 days after surgery.

Results are almost immediate, but you will have your ears covered with bandage and dressings during the initial phases of the healing process. Once the bandages are removed, you will be able to see the results.

Although risks, complications, and side effects rarely occur during facial fillers, they can include:

• Hematoma
• Perichondritis
• Bleeding
• infection
• Asymmetry
• Necrosis

In order to minimize the risks, your surgeon will order a series of blood tests and if necessary a cardiac evaluation to ensure that you are in good health for your procedure.

Following the recommendations of your surgeon will promote a good result.