What's the cost of gauged / stretched earlobe repair?

Earlobe repair is a common procedure in our plastic surgery office. I employ a technique that involves removing the excess scar tissue and reapproximating the tissue planes in multiple layers to recontour the earlobe after gauges, torn earlobes, or stretched out earlobes. Sometimes, the same procedure is used to restore contour to a pixie ear after facelift surgery or facial surgery. Gauge correction is a popular treatment. Insurance typically does not cover the procedure in California, but it all depends on your insurance policy. Costs are typically between six hundred dollars and one thousand dollars depending on the complexity of the repair. Pixie ear repair involves correction of the facelift flap and is a more complex procedure that requires anesthesia. Aftercare for earlobe repair involves proper wound care, Plato’s Scar Serum at least twice daily, with repiercing of the earlobe if requested, in 6 weeks. It is best to have a plastic surgeon perform the procedure and help with scars in the post-procedure period. Plato’s Scar Serum, wound care, and Neosporin are used.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian

Thank you for your question.  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.). A University Plastic Surgery Residency often will have a resident clinic.  The price is usually lower there.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. #earlobesurgery#earloberepair#earloberepaircost

Repairing a very stretched earlobe can cost $400-700 per lobe, depending on the time required.  Some lobes can become very stretched by large plugs and it can take more time to fix them compared to simple earlobe clefts or small holes.

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.

I would suggest finding a facial plastic surgeon or plastic surgeon in your area to perform the repair for the best results.  Depending on the type of repair needed, I typically charge between $475-575/ lobe ($850-975/ pair).  The surgery is performed in the clinic under local anesthesia.  This fee also includes all post-operative care as well as a re-piercing once healing has completed. 

While gauging of earlobes is popular with some, we are seeing more young people ready to say good-bye to their "holy earlobes". We typically reconstruct these in the office using local anesthesia, and each ear takes about 15-20 minutes of surgery. Costs vary a bit depending on the size of the defect, but average $450 for the first one, and $350 for the second. Patients at first seem a bit reluctant to part with their ear lobe openings, but once they see the result, are actually relieved. 

Depending on how hard it is, we charge about $500 and do it in the office.  In San Antonio we see this a lot for military enrollees.

Costs vary depending on the area.  I usually charge $450 per ear which includes a re-piercing after 3 months if desired.

The cost to repair stretched or gauged earlobes really depends on how much time the procedure will take.  This is usually related to how large the gauged piercing is. I perform my gauged earlobe repairs in our office procedure room under a local anesthetic.  Sutures are removed 7 days later and pain is minimal. It is very important that the final resulting earlobe demonstrate a nice contour rather than a pointy look or an elongated earlobe. Definitely meet with a board certified plastic surgeon in your area who performs these repairs on a regular basis.  Gauged earlobe repair is not the same as a simple torn earlobe piercing.  I have found that a small portion of skin needs to be removed in both the horizontal and vertical vectors in order to produce a great looking earlobe. In my practice in Seattle, gauged earlobe repair usually costs around $985 for repair of both ears. Sometimes, this price is lower or higher depending on the nature of the earlobe that needs to be repaired.