Facelift: Q&A
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Is a Revisional Facelift my Only Choice in Order to Repair Elongated, Scarred Earlobes?
I had a midface lift in 11/2012. Without my having been informed of this prior to surgery, my earlobes were detached. Now, more than one year post-op, my earlobes are elongated and scarred after having finally been reattached. My original surgeon has offered to basically pull up the muscle and tissue behind the ear in order to produce a less elongated appearance, yet, to me, that doesn't directly address the appearance of my earlobes. What do you suggest to address this problem?
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20 Doctor Answers |
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Rita9452
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Revision Facelift for Earlobe Correction
The earlobes may be addressed by redraping the skin flap, performing a variant of a V-Y plasty, or local tissue rearrangement. Pictures would be helpful.
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How do I correct a pixie ear deformity
A pixie ear deformity usually results from putting too much tension on the skin of the ear lobe when the skin is closed. This can be corrected in the office under local anesthetic. The ear lobe is released and repositioned in the correct spot and closed.
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Pixie ear repair
The best approach to a pixie ear deformity is to reperform the lift. You must have enough laxity of your skin to have this performed. The cause of the pixie ear is too much tension being placed on your skin. Therefore it is paramount that your if you have a revision lift to fix your ears, that the lift will elevate and suspend the deeper tissues, not the skin.
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Pixie ear correction
The issue you describe is not uncommon when the surgeon does not do specific maneuvers to prevent this. Revision of the earlobe does not involve a complete facelift revision and can likely be done under local with minimal down time.
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Elongated earlobes
Elongated and Pixie earlobes are the direct result of the surgeon not paying attention to the closure around the earlobes at the time of the facelift. They can usually be corrected under a local anesthetic which takes about a half an hour. If the axis of the entire ear is off center, this will require a mini lift to be able to shift the ears back around and have enough skin for closure
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Wait at least 1 year to repair earlobes.
The so called "pixie ear" can occur after even a carefully performed facelift, and can be repaired with a type of mini facelift revision that lifts the skin and tightens the SMAS under the ear resulting in a tensionless closure of the incision. This can be done with just a local anesthetic usually. Good luck!
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Change in ears after facelift
The best treatment for this is to revise the facelift. The issue is timing. You should wait a year or more, to allow the scar tissues to soften and to regain some skin laxity. If done early, the same thing will happen again.
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Correction of Elongated Earlobes after Facelift
You are describing the pixie ear deformity. Because it is a result of paucity of skin in this area, revision surgery is best delayed for a minimum of 1 year.
The scar can then be excised, skin advanced and the earlobe placed in a more natural position.
Alternative correction methods result in scars extending from the earlobe along the jawline - a compromise often not worth it.
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Correction of Pixie Earlobe Deformity After Facelift
Correction of the pixie earlobe deformity ideally requires re-elevation of the facelift skin flaps if one wants a shortened earlobe and good placement of the scars around it. There are other methods to treat it but smaller procedures done just at the earlobe will result in new scars that venture away from the earlobe-face junction. However, each pixie earlobe deformity can be slightly different so posting pictures would help provide an answer unique to you.
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Elongated earlobes following facelift surgery
Without seeing a picture, it is difficult to make a good assessment of your problem. It may be something that can be easily repaired under local anesthesia in an office setting.
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Pulled earlobes after facelift is unavoidable problem but is easily fixed.
Using tension on the skin in particular the earlobes will result in distortion of those structures. This can be avoided by supporting the facelift at a deeper level. The earlobe distortion can be fixed with local anesthesia.
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Several options for pixie ear defomity
Although pixie ears are best avoided, there are several options to correct this - you are best tho choose the one your surgeon says he is most comfortable with i.e, the one he recommends.
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Facellift Incision Complication
The post-op elongated earlobe is one of the most common complications of facelift surgery and should be avoidable in most cases. The problem stems from inadequate fixation of the advanced skin at the earlobe. The so-called "pixie" ear is also an indication of relaxation of the jawline advancement with a loss of the nice clean, smooth jawline. Repair with a V-Y closure adds a scar below the earlobe which is usually visable. Releasing the earlobe and readvancement of the skin with deep...
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Pixie earlobes following a facelift
Basically you are describing a complication known as pixie ears. This occurs when there is tension placed on the earlobe following elevation of the face and neck skin. Basically your earlobes will not support your neck. The correction of this problem is as you have described, the tension needs to be placed behind your ears and not on the earlobe itself. It is important that people see your face and not your facelift and there are certain tell tale signs of a...
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Elongated earlobes after facelift.
Elongated earlobes after facelift need to be surgically repaired. A revision of the lobe and the lift is needed.
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Earlobe repair
Hi! Thank you for your question.
I am Dr. Speron, a proud member of both the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) and the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (ASAPS). I am also certified with the American Board of Plastic Surgery.
This condition is definitely correctable. If the earlobe is pulled down, correction of the pixie ear does become a challenge. The scarred region around the earlobe must be released and elevated behind the ear. Stitches...
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Pixy Ear Deformity After Facelift
There are really 2 main options to correct a Pixy Ear deformity, as it is termed, after facelift surgery. One option is to release the lobe, with an incision, and advance tissue from the cheek upward so that the earlobe can be reattached in a higher, more natural position. This would leave another scar on your face however. The other main option is to re-elevate the facial skin flap, as was done in your first operation, and reset the ear to its normal position. Without seeing pictures...
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Fixing earlobes after facelift
If the earlobe isn't set high enough after facelift there can be a downward drift which will elongate the earlobe as you describe. This is best avoided of course, but can be fixed with revision. Local or 'V-Y' positioning might not hide the scar well, and secondary facelift is often the best solution resetting the lobe.
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Pixie ears
The description of your earlobes sounds like a complication associated with poor incision planning and/or excessive tension in a facelift known as a "pixie ear" deformity. This can be corrected without a secondary facelift, depending on the severity of the problem. Photographs would be helpful.
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Pixy Ear Deformity
It really depends upon where you want the scar around your ear lobe. If you do not mind a scar on your jaw line extending up to the ear lobe then a V to Y advancement as described by Dr. Hughs is OK. If you want no scar below your ear lobe on your face/ neck then, the procedure you have described your surgeon intends to perform would be appropriate to reposition your ear lobes and get ride of the post operative pixy ear deformity. Best,
Gary R Culbertson, MD, FACS
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