Remove the dressing on the day after surgery. Take the cup-like dressing off, the piece of paper behind the ear off and the cotton ball out of the ear canal.
Once the cotton is removed from the ear canal, there is more packing material in the ear canal. LEAVE THIS ALONE. Beginning on the first day after surgery, start applying eardrops to the packing in the ear canal. Often, the drops will not penetrate deeply into the ear canal. This is normal. If some of the packing material falls out on its own, this is also okay. Continue to apply the eardrops until you see Dr. Bankaci.
DO NOT get water into the ear. When showering or washing your hair, place a piece of cotton coated with Vaseline into the ear canal to seal it.
Some blood-tinged drainage from the ear canal commonly occurs after ear surgery. THIS IS NORMAL. If the drainage is profuse or foul smelling call Dr. Bankaci.
If there is an incision behind the ear, keep it dry for five days after surgery. Following this time, it is okay to get the incision wet, but still keep water out of the ear canal.
If you wear glasses, either remove the arm on the operated side or make sure it does not rest on the incision site behind the ear for one week.
Beginning on the second day after surgery, try to leave the cotton out of the ear as much as possible, unless you have drainage from the ear. If the ear is draining, replace the cotton as-needed to catch the drainage and keep it from running onto your clothes.
DO NOT BLOW YOUR NOSE for three weeks after surgery. If you must sneeze or cough, do so with your mouth open.
DO NOT lift anything heavier than 20 pounds for three weeks after surgery.
DO NOT strain for three weeks after surgery. No vigorous physical activity is permitted for 3 to 4 weeks after surgery.
Keep your head elevated as much as possible.
Some dizziness and nausea is common after surgery. If it becomes severe or is associated with intractable vertigo or vomiting call Dr. Bankaci.
Popping sounds, a plugged sensation, ringing of the ears or fluctuation of hearing ability may be noticed in the ear during the healing process.
For several days after surgery, the ear may feel plugged and hearing may seem very muffled. This is due to packing in the ear canal. Symptoms will improve as the packing dissolves.
Call the office to schedule an appointment for 7 to 10 days after surgery, unless otherwise directed by Dr. Bankaci.
If you have any questions or if problems arise, please contact Dr. Bankaci at (724) 547-4575, (724) 832-9688, or (724) 863-5679.