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WHAT DO A SLIT EAR LOBE, A EAR LOBE HOLE AFTER GAUGE EAR RINGS OR LARGE SIZED EAR LOBES HAVE IN COMMON?
All have one element in common: a unwanted and noticeable appearance of the ear lobe.
- Slit ear lobe: caused by the weight of ear rings and or having a ear ring pulled down and dividing the earlobe skin. This is a spectrum and before a complete split of the ear lobe the ear lobe piercing hole becomes elongated and can result in the in ability to wear stud earrings or noticeable asymmetrical ear ring placement/location.
- Gauge ear lobe holes: caused by the insertion of serially larger earlobe inserts. Often the resultant expanded ear lobe hole will not retract and when one discontinues the use of the ear lobe spacers the hole remains leaving a undesirable large hole and odd appearance.
- Large ear lobes: one can be born with with large ear lobes, ear lobes that have increased, elongated with time and age or because excessive in size because the weight of “clip on” ear rings stretching the earlobe.
EAR LOBE REPAIR TREATMENT OPTIONS
Basically, depending on the patients desire there are several techniques to repair each of the above ear lobe deformities.
EAR LOBE REPAIR CANDIDATES
Since most of these acquired or congenital (born with) deformities are repaired under just local infiltrative anesthesia (a general anesthesia however can be a option) anyone who has general good health and desires cosmetic improvement of the ear lobe is a candidate.
HOW AN EAR LOBE IS REPAIRED
- Slit ear lobe: the slit edges are excised and a multilayered repair with both absorbable and non absorbable sutures are used. If desired the ear is re pierced in 6-8 weeks after repair.
- Gauge ear lobe holes: usually the incision is made at the base of the ear, the excess and stretched skin is removed. The resultant hole is carefully closed with a multilayered complex repair with both absorbable and non absorbable sutures. If desired the ear is re pierced in 6-8 weeks after repair.
- Large ear lobes: are reduced using a hidden incision at the junction and the top of the ear lobe removing a ellipse of ear lobe tissue. Thus preserving the normal curve and shape of the bottom of the lobe with out a noticeable scar. Often the original piercing is unaltered and maintained.
HOW LONG DOES EAR LOBE REPAIR LAST?
The results are permanent and as long as long as no additional trauma or heavy ear rings are worn there is rarely needed secondary surgery.
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EAR LOBE SURGERY RECOVERY
Most patients return the following day to work r after the normal post surgical swelling resolves in several days. External non absorbable sutures are removed in 5-7 days.
NON-SURGICAL EAR LOBE REPAIR
Unfortunately there are not because of either the slit, the excess stretched ear lobe skin or excess tissue.
WHAT AN EAR LOBE REPAIR DOESN’T TREAT
The overall size of the non ear lobe ear will not be reduced in size or changed in shape. If that is the desire a otoplasty will be needed to reach the desired cosmetic appearance of the ear.
COMBINING WITH OTHER PROCEDURES
Yes, often other facial rejuvenation or body contouring procedures are performed together as the patient desires.
EAR LOBE REPAIR RISKS & COMPLICATIONS
Besides the generally very low risks of any surgical procedure such as bleeding, infection and anesthesia, there are some inherent, rare and uncommon risks which include but not limited to: recurrence of the slit ear, irregular healing and/or oasymetrical lobes. All of these can be improved with s minor secondary surgery if required.
COST OF EAR LOBE REPAIR
The ear lobe repair costs are based on the anesthesia used (local vs sedation or general anesthesia), the facility (minor surgical suite, outpatient operating room or hospital setting) and if combined with other procedures. All pre and post operative care is included. Some preoperative laboratory analysis may be required (usually covered by your medical insurance).
SUMMARY
The most important factor to consider is seeking the opinion and services of a skilled, experienced and Board Certified Plastic Surgeon in the Inland Empire who are experts in slit ear lobe repair, post gauge ear lobe expansion and large lobe reduction techniques. The staff at Imagine Plastic Surgery uniquely provides the full array of both non surgical and surgical alternatives to thus filling our motto of “One Goal, Many Options”. For more information, call and schedule a consultation.