Tympanoplasty Surgery Recovery Tips - Time, Diet, Lifestyle Changes

Recovery Timeline and What to Expect After Tympanoplasty

As mentioned above, after tympanoplasty, you may take around a few months to recover completely. If you take care of yourself properly, you can ensure a smooth and fast recovery after the surgery. A general recovery timeline on a weekly basis will be as below:

Week 1: Following a tympanoplasty procedure, the first week of recovery is the most important. During this time, it is important to follow your doctor’s instructions and take prescribed medications as directed. Rest is also important, so it is important to keep a halt to your physical activities. 

You may experience:

• Pain, swelling, and inflammation in the ear 
• A feeling of pressure in the ear
• Mild drainage from the ear
• A decreased sense of taste

Week 2: During the second week of recovery, the swelling and inflammation may worsen. Your doctor may suggest increasing your activity level gradually. 

You may experience:

• Continued mild drainage from the ear
• A decrease in pain and swelling
• A gradual return of the sense of taste

Week 3: By the third week of recovery, most of the pain and swelling may be subsided. 

You may experience: 

• Continued decrease in pain and swelling
• A gradual return of hearing in the treated ear
• A gradual improvement in balance

Week 4: At this point, most of the healing may be complete. Your doctor may suggest that you can begin to resume your normal activities. 

You should expect: 

• Continued improvement in hearing and balance
• No drainage from the ear
• A full return of the sense of taste

It is important to note that each patient’s recovery period may vary depending on various factors. Make sure to follow all the instructions provided by the doctor and attend proper follow-up appointments to ensure a successful recovery.

Lifestyle Changes After Tympanoplasty

After the surgery, a patient’s lifestyle may need to be modified in order to ensure the best possible outcome. Here are some lifestyle changes likely to be made after tympanoplasty to avoid further complications. 

The first step for a patient who has undergone tympanoplasty is to avoid activities that could cause any trauma to the ear. This includes activities such as swimming and playing sports. Activities like this can cause the eardrum to be exposed to water or injured. Patients should also avoid activities that involve sudden loud noises, such as shooting firecrackers or loud music.

Patients should also avoid flying in an airplane or scuba diving as the change in pressure can pose a risk to the eardrum. 

Another important lifestyle change is to avoid any activities that involve water entering the ear. This includes swimming, showering without a cap or any other activities that involve water being forced into the ear.

Patients should also be mindful of the medication they take. Some medications can negatively affect the eardrum’s healing process, so patients should consult their doctor before taking any medication.

Finally, patients should take extra care of their ears. This includes avoiding any objects from entering the ear, such as cotton swabs or other sharp objects. They should also avoid exposing their ears to loud noises, and use ear plugs when necessary.

By taking the necessary precautions and making the necessary lifestyle changes, a patient can ensure that their tympanoplasty surgery is successful and hearing is restored.