When can I wear earrings after ear lobe surgery? (Photo)

Question

I haven't been able to wear earrings in the main holes for a while because my ear lobes sag so much and seem like they will rip through one day. If I get surgery on them how soon can I wear earrings? Is there a possibility of them getting saggy again? Not sure how this happened in the first place but I'd like to do something about it. Thanks!

Nelson Castillo, MD · Answer

Thank you for sharing your question and photograph.  The best treatment is to remove this thinned area of your lobe and stitch it closed. Once healed over 6-8 weeks you can have the are re-pierced.  Assuming you avoid accidental injury as well as heavy earrings you should not have them elongate again.  Hope this helps.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD, FACS · Answer

Earlobe surgery is composed of several techniques that can either repair torn earlobes (split earlobes) or correct overly redundant earlobe tissue from piercings or genetics or stretching. Our HIDEF earlobe repair includes a recontouring of the earlobe contour using multilayered sutures to reapproximate the curvature of the earlobe; while simultaneously restoring contour to the ear. In patients with pixie ears after facelift surgery, an alternate technique is used to reduce the dependance of the earlobe on the facelift flap. Facelift surgery can reshape the earlobe and this requires restoration. Sutures are usually taken out within 10 days and the wound is repierced in 4-6 weeks thereafter. Keloid scars must be addressed in patients with known history for scarring.

Best,
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Best, 
Dr. Karamanoukian
Realself100 Surgeon

Jeffrey J. Roth, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question, and the photo.  We typically do this procedure in our office under local anesthesia.  We usually close the incision in layers to take the tension off of the incision.  This usually leads to a nicer incision line.  Please call the office for more details and the current costs.  Costs will typically depend on the complexity,  and how much time, the procedure will take.  Costs will vary from city to city.  We usually have our patients wait 3 months before re-piercing the earlobe, and 3 mm from the repair.  Best to see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon or Otolaryngologist (ENT).  They will help you make a plan to achieve your goals.
Jeffrey J. Roth, M.D., F.A.C.S.
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Las Vegas Plastic Surgery

Ronald J. Edelson, MD · Answer

I've seen many cases like yours.  I usually re pierce the ear about a month after repair.  Getting the peitceing too soon increased the risk of infection.

David W. Rodwell III, MD · Answer

What you see in the picture is very typical of patients with stretched piercings.  The repair involves a surgical procedure done in the office.I prefer to wait 6 weeks to re-pierce the ears, and I personally do the new piercing for all of my patients. Occasionally there may be a patient who needs to wait longer for the earlobe to heal before it is repierced.  The 6 week number comes from the fact that the majority of the early inflammatory response associated with the healing process going on under the surface is beginning to settle down around that 6 week timeframe.  Also, the way thatl the earlobe heals itself back together is never as strong as it was to begin with, but it gets the majority of strength back around 6 weeks.There is always a chance that the piercing can stretch again, so that is why the placement of the new piercing is very important.

Heather Lee, MD · Answer

Hello calistas, 
This can be easily repaired in the office- typically the old elongated piercing is removed and sutured together.  The lobe must then fully heal before repiercing at least 8-10 weeks.  And I would be cautious about what type of earrings/posts you use after to help prevent recurrence.  Best of Luck

Emily B. McLaughlin, MD, FACS · Answer

Many individuals that have had pierced ears for the majority of their lifetime can experience a clefting of the earlobe from the weight of the earring pulling through the bottom of the ear lobule. This can sometimes be a gradual process or perhaps traumatic if an earring is pulled abruptly. Sometimes the piercing is intact but has drifted very low on the ear lobule, precluding a natural appearance when wearing earrings. The repair involves removing the skin within the piercing and repairing the earlobe. This is a simple process for standard piercings; for people desiring reconstruction of earlobes distracted over time by gauges this is a much more complicated procedure. 
If the ear is repierced along the repair&hellip;which is tempting because the original piercing was in fact the ideal location for the piercing&hellip;there is a risk of recurrence of the cleft. I prefer to repierce the patient’s ears myself in the office after about 6 weeks to control the location of the piercing and potentially avoid recurrence. Patients are given instructions to purchase a specific type of earring and local anesthesia is used prior to piercing.

Good luck!

Omar Fouda Neel, MD, FRCSC, FACS · Answer

Sorry to hear about your earlobe. This is a simple procedure that can be performed by a board certified plastic surgeon. Prices will vary according to surgeon and geographical location. You should be able to re-pierce your ears after 6 - 8 weeks.Best of luck

Andrew G. Silver, MD · Answer

Good news! You seem like a great candidate for earlobe repair!In most cases, I will re-pierce my patients ears at about 6-7 weeks after the holes are repaired. This could happen again, but can be avoided by wearing less heavy earrings and being careful not to sustain any trauma (earring pulling) to the area. hope this helps!dr. silver

Rainer E. Sachse, MD · Answer

You have the  very common problem of an enlarged earring hole. This is most likely due to wearing earrings which  were too heavy for you/your ears.  This can be easily  fixed in local anesthesia without any significant recovery ( you may return to work directly after the procedure)  One may even leave a little hole at the top of your slit, so that repiercing will not be necessary, but you should  not wear standard earrings for several weeks after the procedure.

When can I wear earrings after ear lobe surgery? (Photo)

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