ANA Discussion Forum

Treatment Options => Microsurgical Options => Topic started by: notnowkato on December 09, 2009, 11:51:54 pm

Title: Ear folding back after surgery?
Post by: notnowkato on December 09, 2009, 11:51:54 pm

Hi, I'll be having translab surgery in the new year (still waiting on a date). The surgeon mentioned in passing that afterwards my ear would probably fold backwards towards my head over time as the fat they used to pack the hole was absorbed. Was the first time I'd heard of that so I wondered if anyone who'd had surgery had experienced this and was curious how far it folds in?
Thanks, Kate

Title: Re: Ear folding back after surgery?
Post by: Nickittynic on December 10, 2009, 09:28:05 am

I didn't have translab so my experience may not be that helpful, but in my retrosigmoid I'm guessing they had my ear taped forward for the surgery, because even though it laid laid as flat as normal when I woke up, it was tender and itchy for weeks!

Title: Re: Ear folding back after surgery?
Post by: nancyann on December 10, 2009, 02:11:53 pm

Hi there:  I also had Retrosigmoid approach, but my AN ear sticks out ! - hence, I grew my hair a little longer to cover the 'elephant' ear.  I was contemplating having the ear pinned back, but the longer hair does the trick.   Geuss I'm saying I'd rather have it fold back than stick out !
Always good thoughts,  Nancy

Title: Re: Ear folding back after surgery?
Post by: notnowkato on December 10, 2009, 06:31:42 pm

Thanks - I know it was a fairly frivolous question in the scheme of things but I was just curious. Sounds like I'll just have to wait & see which way mine goes then!

Title: Re: Ear folding back after surgery?
Post by: Pooter on December 10, 2009, 06:50:33 pm

The way I "read" the comments of your surgeon is that your ear will likely "droop", "sag" or otherwise "stick out" immediately after surgery but as the fat they used in closing is aborbed and/or hardens, it will fold back to a more "normal" state.  I know mine drooped for awhile after my retro surgery, but now it's pretty normal.

Regards,
Brian

Title: Re: Ear folding back after surgery?
Post by: mellowrama on March 02, 2010, 11:04:22 pm

yes, that happened with me...but I would describe it as my ear stuck out more and receded after swelling.  Wasn't a big deal, but the glasses did fit differently and I hadn't anticiated it.
Six months after surgery now and just got fitted for glasses, the ear is slightly off but I wouldn't worry too much about it.
best, melinda

Title: Re: Ear folding back after surgery?
Post by: moe on March 03, 2010, 10:00:04 am

Hi Kate,
I had translab  3.75 years ago (okay almost 4), and have not noticed anything unusual, other than the top of my earlobe wiggles and is not as strong as the other ear.I did let my hair grow out after surgery because of my BAHA, so my ear is covered up anyway, but NO noticeable difference.
Everyone is different. Hard to generalize what the ear is gonna do!
Maureen

Title: Re: Ear folding back after surgery?
Post by: NancyMc on March 03, 2010, 12:42:15 pm

I'm eleven months post-op.  Everything was fine until about two months ago, I think.  There was a thread about having a dent where the fat has shrunken in which I at first couldn't find the dent but then did when I felt in the right place.  Mine makes it a two-handed chore to put on glasses or put my hair behind my ear.  Otherwise, no big deal.  The weird thing is that since it is numb around my ear, I often put on my glasses and am unaware that they didn't go behind my ear but rather are sitting on top of it.