Middle Ear Surgery: Hospital Recovery

Most likely, you’ll leave the hospital the same day as your surgery. Then you can return home to heal. Your stay may be longer if you have more than one surgery. You may also need to stay longer if other health problems need to be watched.

In most cases,  you can go home after a short hospital stay.

Right After Surgery

You will wake up in the recovery room where you will be closely watched. When you can sit up and drink fluids, you will be moved to a regular hospital room.

As You Regain Strength

Once you are in the hospital room, your family and friends can visit you. Don’t be surprised if your ear or head is bandaged. You may also have packing in your ear canal. If you do, the packing will be removed later by your surgeon. Or it may dissolve on its own.

Going Home

You may be eager to return to your daily life after surgery. Your surgeon will tell you when you can go home. Before you do, he or she may want to make sure that:

• You have little or no bleeding

• You have little or no pain

• You have no nausea and little or no dizziness

• Your health is stable

• You do not have a fever