How painful is otoplasty?

Pain varies from individual to individual and is difficult to predict preoperatively. The majority of patients will have some degree of discomfort following the procedure. This is typically treated with Tylenol and occasionally, a patient may require prescription pain medication for the first few days.

Postoperative pain and discomfort are worst in the first 2-3 days after the procedure. Thereafter, pain should slowly improve each day. If pain is worsening and not improving, it’d be appropriate to reach out to your surgeon’s office.

In order to minimize pain, it’s important to follow your surgeon’s instruction in terms of wearing an ear dressing, reducing strenuous activity, and eliminating the potential to bump, hit, or cause inadvertent damage to the area during the healing phase.