How old must you be to get earlobe reconstruction surgery? (fix stretched ears)

Question

About a year ago I was going through a bit of a rebellious phase and I decided to stretch my ears (stupid I know). Now I'm not too fond of them, neither is my mother, and I would like to have them fixed. They aren't that big at all, but they won't close up on there own :/ . I was wondering if there was an age limit on those type of surgeries? I have parental consent. (Stretched ears are gauges/ those big holes some people have in there ears if you didn't understand :D)

Parker A. Velargo, MD, FACS · Answer

Hi and thanks for your question!  Earlobe surgery is a procedure that is often well tolerated in our clinic procedure room with some numbing medication injected locally.  As long as you are mature enough to handle the procedure and the aftercare, it is generally not an issue for teenagers to have this performed.  If you are under the age of 18, your parent(s) will need to be present for the consultation and also consent to have the surgery performed.  You can read more about my approach to earlobe repair at the link below.I wish you well!Dr. Parker VelargoFacial Plastic SurgeonNew Orleans Center for Aesthetics and Plastic Surgery

Brian K. Reedy, MD · Answer

Hi & thank you for your question.If you are under the age of 18 years old you will need  parental consent and a parent must accompany you to the appointment. Earlobe repair is a very common procedure and is easily tolerated.I recommend you contact a board certified plastic surgeon for a consultation.Hope this helps

Elliot M. Heller, MD · Answer

You must be 18 years or older, unless you have parental permission and the doctor is ok with doing this on some one your age. 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.You may be able to find a doctor who will do this under insurance but i am not aware of any.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. You can get your ear re pierced about 6 weeks after and should be included in the pricing. Shop around in your area and see if you can find a plastic surgeon in your budget

Joshua Cooper, MD, FACS · Answer

Absolutely!If you're under the age of 18, you will need a parental consent. Definitely see a plastic surgeon who is experienced with closing stretched or "gauged" ear lobes.  The closure of these ear lobes is more complex than closing a torn or spilt ear lobe piercing. Best of luck to you!

Jerold Olson, MD · Answer

Hello,I see patients with this issue in my practice relatively frequently. Usually there is quite a bit of decrease in the size of the piercing after the gauges have been removed for a while. This makes the repair somewhat easier.The repair can be accomplished in the office under local anesthesia in almost all cases. Good luck!Jerry Olson ,MD

Luis A. Cenedese, MD, FACS · Answer

If a patient is old enough to undergo a piercing and stretching they are old enough to undergo a corrective surgery.  Patients under the age of 18 will require parental consent for surgery.Please consult in person with an experienced Board Certified Plastic Surgeon prior to making treatment decisions.Cheers

Larry Lickstein, MD · Answer

Parental consent is required, and when caring for minors, it is always best if the patient has the maturity to contribute to the decision making process and the ability and responsibility to ensure good care.  If you are mature enough to make the decision to get gauges, and mature enough to ask this question, I'm confident that you are a great candidate for repair!  Treatment depends on how dilated the hole is, but usually is an office procedure done under local anesthesia, and usually the ear lobe shape can be entirely restored. These minor operations are quite common as dilated earring holes excludes patients from enlisting in the military.

Jeffrey Marvel, MD · Answer

We commonly repair this condition on young people and teenagers.  It involves injection of local anesthesia into the earlobe.  It doesn't hurt anymore than piercing the ears.  The procedure is performed in the office.  Price ranges from $175-325 per ear lobe depending on severity.  Thanks for the question.  Good luck.

M. Dean Vistnes, MD - Account Suspended · Answer

As long as you have parental consent this can be addressed anytime. The procedure starts with a numbing injection to the area, followed by the excision of the inner edges of the 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 months. Seek a consultation wit a board certified plastic surgeon for pricing information as it will vary. Good luck, Dean Vistnes.

How old must you be to get earlobe reconstruction surgery? (fix stretched ears)

Answers (9)

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