What Is Earlobe Surgery?
Earlobe surgery, medically known as loboplasty, is designed to fix the appearance of ripped or damaged earlobes to make the ears appear cosmetically attractive.
Earlobe surgery may be right for you when you have:
- Earlobes that stick out
- Torn, lacerated, or split earlobes
- Stretched your earlobes with jewelry
- Large holes in your ears due to gauge jewelry
- Severely asymmetrical earlobes due to genetics or trauma
- Overly long earlobes due to aging or being stretched out from wearing heavy earrings and studs
- Irregularly shaped earlobes due to congenital cleft earlobe deformity (“Coloboma lobuli”)
- Employment that does not allow for “gauge” ear piercings.
Earlobe surgery is not the same as ear pinning. Ear pinning, which Dr. Stutman also offers, aims to pin back ears that protrude too far from the head.
Earlobe surgery, in most cases, is a straightforward and quick procedure. For simple earlobe correction, as with most patients, your treatment may only take 15 to 45 minutes to complete. Extensive earlobe correction may be necessary when your cartilage is affected and can require up to an hour or more.
The recovery time needed for earlobe surgery is minimal compared to other surgical procedures. Patients can usually return to work and most of their daily activities immediately after the procedure. Dr. Stutman recommends avoiding heavy lifting or other vigorous exercise that can strain the healing process for at least two weeks.
We understand that our younger patients may desire cosmetic earlobe surgery and can be extra sensitive about their appearance. For this reason, Dr. Stutman accepts patients of any age.
Benefits of Earlobe Surgery
Earlobe surgery can offer a variety of physical and psychological benefits for our patients, including:
- Freedom to wear jewelry again
- Enhancing their overall facial appearance
- Restoration of symmetry and contour to their earlobes
- Feeling more comfortable and satisfied with their physical appearance
You and Dr. Stutman can work together to build a surgical plan that will help you achieve your aesthetic goals.
Why patients choose Dr. Stutman for earlobe repair surgery
- Board certified
- Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.
- Fellowship trained
- Oculoplastic and aesthetic surgery fellowship with Dr. Mark Codner in Atlanta.
- Published research
- Peer-reviewed research in aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery, indexed in PubMed.
- One surgeon throughout
- Dr. Stutman sees you at consultation, performs your procedure and follows your recovery.
Earlobe Repair Surgery
FAQs
Can I get my ears pierced again after earlobe repair?
Yes, most people can have their ears re-pierced after an earlobe repair once the lobe has fully healed. Piercing too early can weaken the repair and cause it to split again. Dr. Stutman will tell you when your earlobe is ready, and it helps to let your piercer know the lobe was repaired.
Can stretched or gauged earlobes be repaired?
Yes, earlobes stretched by gauges can be surgically repaired. The stretched tissue is trimmed and the lobe is reshaped and closed so it looks more like a natural earlobe. People choose gauge repair to wear regular earrings again or because their job does not allow gauge piercings. Larger stretches may need more extensive reshaping.
Does earlobe repair hurt?
Earlobe repair is usually only mildly uncomfortable. The earlobe is numbed before the procedure begins, so the main sensation most people notice is the numbing injection itself. Afterward, the lobe may feel sore or tender for a short time, and over-the-counter pain relief is often enough to keep you comfortable.
Will earlobe repair leave a scar?
Earlobe repair leaves a thin scar, but it is usually hard to notice once healed. The scar runs along the line where the lobe is closed, and it softens and fades as it matures. A small notch at the bottom edge can occasionally form, and your surgeon designs the closure to help keep the edge smooth.
Does insurance cover earlobe repair?
Earlobe repair is usually considered cosmetic, so insurance typically does not cover it. Coverage can sometimes apply when the damage comes from an injury or a congenital condition, depending on your plan. Check with your insurance company before your procedure, and ask the office what documentation they can provide.
Is Dr. Stutman board certified to repair torn earlobes?
Yes. Dr. Stutman is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery and is a member of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Board certification requires accredited plastic surgery training and passing comprehensive exams, and plastic surgeons are trained in the careful closure techniques that help small facial repairs like an earlobe heal with a fine scar.
Does Dr. Stutman repair earlobes for children?
Yes. Dr. Stutman accepts earlobe repair patients of any age. Children may need repair after an accident or an earring injury, or because of a lobe shape they were born with. He will examine your child, explain the options, and discuss how to keep your child comfortable during the repair at the consultation.
Consultation
Begin with a conversation
Your consultation is a private conversation with Dr. Stutman about your goals, your questions, and the options that suit you.
(602) 853-4646Contact pageRequest a consultation
Tell us a little about what you are considering and our team will call you to arrange your visit.
Request a ConsultationPrefer to talk? Call (602) 853-4646
