Is this ear lobe earring hole fixable? If so, how much would it cost? (Photo)

Question

Hello MD's!! I am looking for a surgeon who can help me get back to wearing my long dangly earrings beautifully. I have been wearing long heavy earrings forever and it seems to have stretched my ear holes. The left ear hole is more stretched than the right.Is this fixable? If so, how much would this be priced?

Michael I. Echavez, MD · Answer

It is very common to repair earlobes that are stretched or torn from earrings.  The cost will vary by surgeon, but as a very rough estimate, it should be in the hundreds of dollars and not thousands.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

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

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

Yes it is fixable. 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

Elliot M. Heller, MD · Answer

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.

Joshua Cooper, MD, FACS · Answer

I commonly see stretched ear lobe piercing as a result of wearing heavy earrings. Closure of these stretched piercings can be performed in the office using a local anesthetic, with minimal discomfort.   The price is dependent upon whom you see for repair as well as geographic location.  In my practice these routine stretched piercings are closed for around $350 per side. After six weeks, you may repierce your ear lobes. Meet with a board certified plastic surgeon to find out more!And thanks for sharing!

Michael Zarrabi, MD · Answer

Stretched out piercings can be easily repaired under a local anesthetic. The entire hole is removed and you will be left with a small vertical scar. The scars on the earlobe heal well and are hardly visible.  You will have to have a new piercing in a new spot once things have healed.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

The  repair of the stretched ear lobe is a great procedure that can restore the ear lobe to a “normal” appearance". The resulting scar is most often very fine.  Care must be taken during this procedure to avoid reducing the size of the air and/or creating a notch/ depressed appearance in the area of the rim of the ear lobe.   It is usually done under local anesthesia, with minimal discomfort and recovery time;  it is associated with a very high patient satisfaction rate. Costs average around 600-1000.00 dollars.I hope this, and the attached link, helps.

Suzanne Kim Doud Galli, MD, PhD, FACS · Answer

In repairing a slot hole deformity, the scar tissue around the hole is excised and then the hole is closed. The ear can be pierced again at a later date. The price varies by location but the procedure can be accomplished with local anesthesia.

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

You have a common complaint of a partially torn earlobe or one that has stretched out. I fix these all the time. The fees do vary from doctor to doctor. So best to call and make an appointment with someone near you. Good luck.

M. Dean Vistnes, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

Yes, this can be fixed! The procedure starts with a numbing injection to the area, followed by the excision of the inner edges of the tear or elongated piercing, then the incision will be closed with a few stitches. The stitches are removed in 5 days and you can re-pierce the ear in 2-3 months. Seek a consultation wit a board certified plastic surgeon for pricing infomation as it will vary. Good luck, Dean Vistnes.

Is this ear lobe earring hole fixable? If so, how much would it cost? (Photo)

Answers (10)

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