Please call the ENT Clinic to make an appointment to be seen 7-10 days after your surgery, unless already scheduled.
Our clinic locations are at:
- Issaquah: 510 8th Avenue NE, Suite #310, Issaquah, WA 98029
- Bellevue: 1231 116th Avenue NE, Suite #915, Bellevue, WA 98004
Please call the Bellevue ENT clinic at (425) 454 – 3938 if you need to reschedule or are unable to make your appointment.
- Antibiotic ear drops: place 4 drops into the ear, twice a day for 30 days. This medication is started two days after surgery, after the ear dressings are removed.
- Pain medication: Take 1-2 tablets of Norco, every 4-6 hours as needed for pain control. You may take Tylenol the strong narcotic pain medication is not needed.
You may resume a regular diet.
- Two days after the surgery, remove the large dressing and the cotton ball covering the ear canal. If there is skin tape behind the ear, leave this in place until it is removed by your surgeon.
- You may shower two days after surgery. Do not get water in your ear. If showering or washing your hair, place a piece of cotton coated with Vaseline in the ear canal to seal it from water exposure. If there is a separate incision behind or in front of the ear, you may get it wet in the shower and gently dab the wound site. Do not remove the skin tape if it is present.
- Try to leave the cotton out of your ear as much as possible unless there is significant drainage.
- If ear drops are prescribed, begin using these as directed the same day as the ear dressing is removed. Place ear drops into the ear canal opening, dropping directly onto the sponge-like packing.
- Keep your head elevated as much as possible. Sleep and rest with your head on two or three pillows if possible.
- If you wear glasses, either remove the arm on the operated side or make certain that it does not rest on the incision behind your ear for one week.
Restrictions/Precautions:
- Avoid all water sports and activities (swimming, diving, water parks, jacuzzi, etc) for two months following surgery.
- Do not blow your nose for four weeks following surgery. If you sneeze or cough, do so with your mouth open.
- Avoid air travel for four weeks following surgery.
- Avoid any heavy lifting (over 10 lbs.), straining, or bending for four weeks following surgery.
Typical things you can expect after surgery:
- Popping sounds, a plugged sensation, ringing, or fluctuating hearing may be noticed in the ear during the first month.
- Some drainage from your ear canal may occur after surgery. If there is a separate incision behind the ear, some drainage may occur from there as well. If the drainage is profuse or develops a foul odor, or if you notice any swelling, redness, or excessive pain, please call the Bellevue ENT Clinic.
- Some dizziness may occur after surgery. If it becomes severe or is associated with nausea and vomiting, please call the Bellevue ENT Clinic.
Signs and symptoms to look out for:
Call the Bellevue ENT office or the operator at (425) 454-3938 if you experience any of the following:
- Fever higher than 101°F
- Brisk bleeding
- Severe and worsening pain
- Profuse or foul drainage from the ear
- Swelling, redness, or excessive pain
For any non-urgent medical problems, please call the Bellevue ENT clinic at (425) 454 – 3938 during the daytime on weekdays. If it is after normal work hours or on the weekend, please call the Bellevue ENT operator at (425) 454 – 3938 and ask for the physician on call for ENT. For emergent issues, please proceed immediately to the nearest ER.
Learn more about tympanic membrane perforation (ruptured ear drum) and repair of a ruptured eardrum (tympanoplasty).