Patient Information
Information for Ear Surgery
- No herbal, naturopathic or homeopathic medications or supplements are to be used 1 week before or after surgery as they may cause bleeding. If you are not sure, ask the doctor
- A low-grade fever during the first 48 hours post-op is not unusual, and is best controlled with Tylenol (Acetaminophen). If it persists, contact the doctor’s office.
- Some nasal or ear discharge and slight bleeding is to be expected for a few days after surgery. However, if you develop increasing ear pain or ear swelling, please contact the office or go to your nearest Emergency room/Urgent Care.
- Unless you are told otherwise, all stitches are self-dissolving and do not require removal. You may wash your hair after surgery but try not to allow any soap or water to enter the ear canal (use common sense).
- It is normal to have a small degree of numbness in or around the ear or nose due to the surgery. This is generally temporary.
Week 1: DO NOT blow your nose or attempt to pop ear(s). Wipe your nose instead. If you must sneeze, do so with your mouth wide open.
Week 2-4: You can start to blow nose and sneeze gently. You should try popping your ear deliberately every few hours while awake. It is normal to feel mild pain with this.
After Week 4: normal nasal and ear activity
- DO NOT engage in ANY major physical activities that can increase heart rate or blood pressure for the first week after surgery.
- DO NOT fly for at least one month after surgery (check specifics with Dr. Rotenberg).
- It is normal for the ear to feel full or crackly for the first little while after surgery, and the hearing may feel temporarily down.