What is the Average Cost of Repairing Gauged Ear Lobes?

Geographic costs and names of
experienced doctors can be found on Real Self or the websites for the American
Society of plastic surgeons for the American Society of aesthetic plastic
surgery

Thank you for your question and your photo.  We have been seeing quite a few of these in the office.  We can usually do this procedure in the office under local anesthesia.  The patient returns to the office a week later for suture removal.  The costs will vary geographically.  Best to see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon or Otolaryngologist, (ENT).  They will evaluate your individual situation, and together you will make a plan.  The individual office may have payment plans, (i.e. CareCredit, etc.).  Low cost elective Plastic Surgery may sometimes be found in a University Plastic Surgery training program resident clinic.  This might also be an option for you.Jeffrey J. Roth, M.D., F.A.C.S.Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLas Vegas Plastic Surgery

Ear Lobe surgery cost varies significantly for a number of good reasons: Prices vary greatly because the surgery itself encompasses a wide range of techniques that can be performed to different extents. My recommendation is to first find the most qualified surgeons where you want the surgery performed that are board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or Facial Plastic Surgeon you trust, then compare prices between them. See the below link on suggestions on how to find the most qualified plastic surgeon for your procedure. General Factors that influence the price of plastic surgery include:
1. Location - Most procedures will be performed in a doctor’s office where costs can be contained. If not will it be performed in a hospital or an independent out- patient facility? Geographical location also has a significant influence. RealSelf has average charges for most areas of the USA.
2. Type of Anesthesia – local anesthesia is typical and less costly. If IV sedation or General Anesthesia is used: Will a board certified anesthesiologist, nurse anesthetist, or an RN be used?
3. Experience and training of your surgeon. The best and longest trained is most often a plastic surgeon board certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery
4. Length and Complexity of Surgery - how difficult will your surgery be and how long it will take, etc. 
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The cost does vary quite a bit from surgeon to surgeon. It is a pretty simple procedure for an experienced plastic surgeon regardless of how much the lobe is stretched out. The nice thing about the earlobe is that a fair amount of it can be discarded and still make a nice looking earlobe. I typically charge $300 to $400 per side. The procedure only takes about half an hour. Many of those requesting the procedure are young men who want to enlist in the military, so I like to help them out by charging a reasonable amount. Some surgeons carge as much as $1000 per lobe, which is obscene in my opinion.

Earlobe repair is a very common procedure. Frequently, we have patients who will have the procedure done the same day as the consultation. Typically, the cost is between $450-850 per earlobe, depending on the severity and the length of the procedure. The length of time the ears have been gauged should have no effect on the procedure. As long as the tissue is no longer irritated or inflamed, there is no reason not to give it a try. Gauged ears are sometimes more difficult than some other earlobe repairs since the tissue is so over stretched, but we are still able to create a natural looking earlobe.

In our office we charge $300-400 per earlobe and it is done under local anesthesia.  If done in an office setting it shouldn't cost too much more than that but if you have it done in a surgery center the fees can rise substantially.  It may also depend on who does it.  Make sure you go to someone with a lot of experience with this procedure but typically dermatological surgeons charge less than plastic surgeons.  Of course this will vary, especially in different parts of the country.

You should probably expect to pay $500-1000 if done in the office.  However, this depends on the severity of the repair, your medical history, etc.  

It depends on the amount of "work" necessary to fix them. This always works and it makes no difference how long they have been that way. It could be $1500-3000.

Dear KatieThe cost for ear lobe repair can vary widely depending upon location and can also vary in a particular metropolitan area depending on the surgeon. Here in Richmond the cost ranges from about $300 to $800 per ear. In my office, I start at $300 and go up to $450 per ear depending on the complexity of the repair. Small holes tend to be very straightforward, while large gauges with redundant skin can be fairly complex reconstructions. We have a large number of patients who wish to enlist in the military, so we try to keep our costs on the low side to help out those who want to serve their country. I hope this is helpfulDr S

In our office we charge $250 for small repairs, such as a torn out or elongated piercing from large earrings. For larger holes due to gauges, which require signficantly more work, we charge $400-$500 per ear.