Before Your Surgery
What to Expect and How to Prepare:
- Plan for Your Recovery Period:
Preparing for surgery involves more than just the operation itself. Ensure you have your pain medications ready, stock up on easy-to-manage foods, and arrange for someone to help you with daily tasks—especially for the first few days. You may feel fatigue, nausea, or a mild sore throat after the procedure, which are normal reactions to the anesthesia and intubation used during surgery. - Keep Your Ear Dry:
Avoid getting water in your ear while showering or bathing until after your follow-up appointment. This is crucial for minimizing the risk of infection and ensuring proper healing. A cotton ball coated with Vaseline or ear plug can can act as a barrier during showers, or you can cover your ear with a clear plastic bag for added protection. It is often helpful to have someone assist you when washing your hair over the sink. - Pain Management Strategy:
Expect mild pain for at least the first 2-3 days post-surgery. To manage it effectively, use a combination of acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and ibuprofen (Advil®) spaced out in two-hour intervals. This alternating pattern helps control pain without overloading your system with any one medication. For example, take acetaminophen, then two hours later take ibuprofen, and so on. Follow the recommended dosing instructions:- Acetaminophen: 500 mg every 4 hours (Max 4000 mg/day)
- Ibuprofen: 200-400 mg every 4 hours (Max 1200 mg/day)
After Your Surgery
Key Recovery Tips and What to Expect:
- Post-Surgery Symptoms:
It’s normal to experience some minor side effects post-op. You may notice a small amount of bleeding or watery discharge from your ear or incision site. A plugged sensation in your ear or mild tenderness around the ear, particularly when chewing, is also common. Rest assured, these symptoms should subside within a few days. - Diet and Activity Considerations:
You can resume your regular diet immediately after surgery, although you might have minor throat discomfort due to the breathing tube used during anesthesia. Keep your diet nutritious and balanced to support healing. Walking three times a day starting the day after surgery can aid in your recovery and help prevent complications such as blood clots or pneumonia. There are no restrictions on flying, and you may gradually return to your normal activities, including exercise, as tolerated. - Dizziness and Nausea:
Dizziness is common after middle ear surgery due to the changes in your inner ear. The best way to help your brain recalibrate is by gently moving your head in all directions and taking regular short walks. For nausea and constipation—common side effects of anesthesia and pain medications—consider over-the-counter laxatives if needed. If you haven’t had a bowel movement within three days of taking laxatives, contact our office. - Hearing Sensation:
It’s normal to experience a sense of fullness or plugged sensation in the operated ear. This is due to swelling and fluid buildup during the healing process. You may not immediately hear well on the operated side, and that’s okay. If, after 8 weeks, you notice no improvement or if the sensation worsens, please notify our office. - Avoid Smoking or Vaping:
For optimal healing, Dr. Yip highly recommend reducing or quitting smoking and vaping. Smoking delays tissue recovery and increases your risk of complications.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
While most patients recover without issues, it’s important to stay vigilant for any signs of complications. Proceed to your nearest emergency room as soon as possible or call 911 anytime you think you may need emergency care. For example, emergency situations can include:
- Severe difficulty breathing
- Vomiting blood or inability to keep fluids down
- Signs of dehydration (sunken eyes, dry mouth, dark urine)
- Excessive bleeding lasting longer than 15 minutes
- Sudden, severe ear pain or hearing loss
For non-emergency concerns or if you’re unable to reach our clinic, you can always consult Alberta Health Link by dialing 811 to speak with a nurse.
Surgery recovery requires patience and adherence to these guidelines for optimal healing.
Your successful recovery depends on following these instructions carefully and addressing any concerns that arise promptly. If you need further clarification or guidance, don’t hesitate to contact our office. Your health and well-being are our priority, and we are here to support you through each step of your recovery process.
