Does Greater Auricular Nerve Damage ALWAYS Cause Ear Numbness?

Your symptoms do not sound like a Greater Auricular Nerve transection, which would consist of numbness of the lower third of the auricle.  Your symptoms are more consistent with significant tension of the skin closure around your ear, possibly with sutures anchored on the auricular cartilage.  With some mini-lifts, tension on the skin is used to obtain the results with the resulting symptoms you describe. 

Thank you for sharing your story. Sometimes when a nerve is damaged, partially, as it heals it can lead to abnormal sensation or even pain. This can resolve over time and there may be a role for supplements or steroids. If there is not a resolution, in rare cases, a traumatic neuroma may have formed and could require removal in order to stop the discomfort.