Your written discharge plan comes first. These instructions must be tailored to your treatment and medical history. For combined procedures, ask the team for one coordinated plan; do not choose between conflicting instructions yourself.
What to expect.
Tenderness, swelling, and itching beneath the dressing can occur. Increasing severe pain or pressure under a dressing needs a call.
Your care plan.
- Keep the surgical dressing intact and dry until the team removes or changes it. Do not insert objects under it to scratch.
- Use a protective headband only when and as fitted. Keep the ears from folding forward under clothing or during sleep.
- Choose clothing that opens in front and protect the ears from glasses, headphones, and accidental pulling.
- Do not remove stitches, start massage, or soak the ears.
Activity & recovery.
- Avoid direct pressure on the ears, contact sports, swimming, and activities that bend or pull the ears until cleared.
- Take light walks and follow your sleep-position instructions.
Follow your team’s specific instructions for medicines, wound care, and safe movement. Do not drive while taking sedating medicines or until you can safely operate a vehicle and your surgeon clears you.
When to call.
Chest pain, trouble breathing, collapse, stroke symptoms, or sudden loss of vision need immediate emergency care. Do not wait for an office reply or use an online form.
Contact your care team promptly
- Call promptly for severe or increasing one-sided ear pain, a tight dressing, bleeding, or skin-color change.
- Report fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, spreading redness, pus, worsening pain, persistent vomiting, or inability to keep fluids down. Call sooner if you feel seriously unwell, even without a fever.
- New one-sided calf pain or swelling needs urgent medical assessment. If you also have chest pain or shortness of breath, call 911.
Call 615.730.7500. After hours, follow the urgent-contact directions on your discharge paperwork. If you cannot reach the team and symptoms are urgent, seek immediate medical care.
Stay connected.
Keep your scheduled follow-up and ask the team when to send an update or return sooner. Confirm any dressing, stitch, or drain removal with the office. Return to exercise, work, travel, and skin-care products should follow your individual clearance plan.
Before leaving your appointment, make sure you know your next visit date, medication plan, and after-hours contact instructions.
Sources & References
External references open in a new tab. Your care guide will stay open here.
These references provide general information. Follow your care team’s procedure-specific instructions and personal discharge plan.