When Can You Resume Sports and Exercise After Otoplasty?

Ear aesthetic surgery (otoplasty) provides an important transformation for many people in terms of both physical appearance and self-confidence. However, after the surgery, some rules must be observed to preserve the aesthetic results and to ensure a healthy healing process. The most important of these rules are sports and exercise habits. Since the question “When can I start doing sports?” is very important, especially for individuals who lead an active life, “Ear Aesthetics and Sports: When Can You Start Exercises After Surgery?” By browsing the content, you can have information about which types of sports and exercises can be done safely in which periods after otoplasty surgery. We wish you all good reading and healthy days.

Why Should You Not Exercise After Otoplasty?

Not exercising after otoplasty (ear aesthetics) is extremely important for a healthy and smooth healing process. Since the ear area is sensitive and open to healing after this operation, physical activities, especially in the first few weeks, may cause the stitches to open, swelling to increase or the ears to change shape in an undesirable way. For this reason, sweating can increase the risk of infection of the operation site, while sudden head movements or contact sports can directly damage the ears. In addition, increased heart rate and blood pressure can increase the risk of bleeding or bruising at the surgical site.

What Happens If I Exercise After Ear Aesthetics?

Exercising after ear aesthetics surgery can both negatively affect the healing process and risk the aesthetic results of the operation. In this context, post-operative ear tissues are very sensitive and exercises performed during this period, especially activities such as brisk walking, jogging, weight lifting, can cause sutures to open, bleeding, increased swelling and prolonged healing time. In addition, sweating during exercise increases the risk of infection in the surgical area, while sudden movements or contact sports can cause trauma to the ears and lead to deformation of the reshaped ears. For this reason, avoiding exercise for the period recommended by the doctor after ear aesthetics surgery is of great importance in terms of both a healthy healing process and maintaining the desired aesthetic results.

Recommended Exercise Timetable for Ear Aesthetics (Otoplasty)

As after any surgery, it is necessary to wait for a certain period of time to return to exercise routines after ear aesthetics. In this context, your exercise schedule should generally be as follows;

1 Week After Otoplasty

The first week immediately following surgery is the most critical period of recovery. During this period, the patient is recommended to rest completely and physical activities, especially any movement that may affect the head area, should be avoided. Therefore, the head should be kept elevated while lying down, no pressure on the ear area and even the slightest effort that may cause sweating should be limited. Absolute rest is also necessary to protect the stitches and minimize the risk of infection.

2-4 Weeks After Otoplasty

During this period, the healing process accelerates. However, the ears are still sensitive. For this reason, low-impact exercises such as light brisk walks can be started. These activities should be at a level that does not cause sweating. In addition, sports that will shake the ear area and cause sudden movements of the head should be avoided and activities involving contact with water, such as swimming, should be avoided due to the risk of infection.

4-6 Weeks After Otoplasty

If the healing process has gone smoothly, physical activities can be diversified during this period. In particular, brisk walks, light yoga or resistance exercises with low weights can be practiced. However, exercises with a risk of contact with the ears or that can increase pressure in the body (e.g. high-intensity interval training, weight lifting or running) should still be avoided. In addition, environments where the ears are likely to be hit during sports should not be preferred.

6 Weeks and Over After Otoplasty

From the sixth week onwards, with the doctor’s approval, the exercise routine can be gradually resumed and general sports activities can be started as the ear area has largely healed. However, contact sports (such as soccer, basketball, combat sports) should still be carefully evaluated. A waiting period of 8-10 weeks is usually recommended for such sports. The most important thing to remember at this point is to still be careful while playing sports and to take precautions against the risk of direct pressure or impact on the ears. Otherwise, the healing process may be back to square one.

When Can I Go to the Gym After Otoplasty Surgery?

Although when you can go to the gym after otoplasty surgery depends on the course of the healing process and the doctor’s recommendations, a waiting period of 4 to 6 weeks is generally recommended. Otherwise, going to the gym during this period can cause dangerous situations that can lead to the opening of the stitches, risk of bleeding and reshaping of the ears. At the same time, if the healing is progressing smoothly after the 2nd week, low-intensity exercises such as light brisk walking can be started. However, activities such as weight lifting, resistance training, treadmill or high-paced cardio in the gym require at least 4 weeks. After the 6th week, with the doctor’s approval, you can gradually return to the exercise routine.

When Can I Ride a Bike After Otoplasty?

Cycling after otoplasty surgery requires waiting for the ears to fully heal and the risks of complications to disappear. For this reason, cycling should be started after 3 to 4 weeks, if the healing process has progressed smoothly. On the other hand, since the ear tissues are very sensitive during the first 2 weeks, activities that require balance and carry the risk of falling are not recommended. From week 3 onwards, you can start cycling on flat ground, at a low pace and for short periods of time, protecting the ear area (e.g. with a light headband). Particular care should be taken in this context, as sweating and wind can cause irritation or infection of the healing stitches. In addition, it is generally recommended to wait 6 weeks or more for riding on hilly terrain, cycling at high speeds or riding with a helmet that puts pressure on the ears.

When Can I Start Swimming After Ear Aesthetics Surgery?

It is generally recommended to wait at least 6 to 8 weeks to start swimming after ear aesthetics surgery. This period is critical for the stitches in the ears to heal completely and to protect the operation area against the risk of infection. This is because the ears are in direct contact with water during swimming and pool or sea water can carry bacteria to open or newly healed tissues after surgery and cause infection. In addition, the pressure applied to the ear can cause the stitches to open or deform. After the 6th week, if the healing process has progressed well, swimming can be started under the control and approval of the doctor. Especially if swimming in the pool, make sure that the water is clean and use a swimming cap or special ear plugs if necessary to prevent damage to the ears. Otherwise, getting into the water before the am healed can both risk aesthetic results and cause serious health problems.

When Can I Lift Weights After Otoplasty?

It is generally recommended to wait at least 4 to 6 weeks after otoplasty to start lifting weights. This period is critical for the stitches in the ear area to heal, the tissues to settle in place and the results of the surgery to become permanent. This is because lifting weights in the early period can cause an increase in blood pressure, swelling, bruising or bleeding in the surgical area. In addition, the load on the head and neck area during sudden muscle strains and heavy exercises where breathing control becomes difficult can lead to distortion of the ear form or opening of the stitches. Therefore, if the healing process has progressed smoothly, exercise with light weights can be started after the 4th week. However, controlled movements that do not put pressure on the neck and head area should be preferred. For this reason, the surgeon’s approval must be obtained before starting to lift weights at full capacity and the exercise program should be progressed gradually in this direction.

When Can I Start Pilates After Ear Aesthetics Surgery?

It is generally recommended to complete a recovery period of 4 to 6 weeks to start practicing Pilates after ear aesthetics surgery, because although Pilates is a low-paced and controlled type of exercise, some movements involving the head and neck area can put indirect pressure on the ears, which can have negative effects on tissue that has not yet fully healed. Especially in Pilates movements on the floor, there may be contact or friction with the ears during head tilting, supine lying or balance movements, leading to opening of the stitches, increased edema or distortion of the ear shape. In this context, strict rest is recommended for the first 2 weeks after the surgery, while non-exertional activities such as light walking can be done from the 3rd week onwards if the healing process is progressing properly. Controlled exercises such as Pilates should be started after 4 to 6 weeks, with the approval of the doctor and by choosing positions that do not put pressure on the ear area.

Tips on How to Continue Exercises After Otoplasty

It is useful to pay attention to certain points to start exercise routines after ear aesthetics. In this way, the process progresses in a healthier way. The points to be considered in line with this scope are as follows;

• Each individual’s healing process is different. Your doctor should definitely determine the timing of return to exercise.
• Start with light activities such as low-paced walking in the first weeks of recovery; avoid intense or sudden movements.
• Avoid exercises that may put pressure on the ears, such as overhead movements, lying on the floor or using a headgear/helmet.
• Excessive sweating can increase the risk of infection; therefore, light and controlled exercises should be preferred.
• Wait at least 8-10 weeks for activities such as soccer, basketball, martial arts, etc. that have a risk of impact on the ears.
• Gently clean and dry the ear area after exercise to avoid sweaty or damp ears.
• If you feel pain, tenderness, redness or swelling in the ear, stop exercising immediately and consult your doctor.

If you want to get the advantage of high-level comfort in otoplasty surgery in Turkey, contact FaceAesthetics expert surgeons immediately. This way, you can experience a perfect process.