I've Split my Stretched Ear in Half and Want It Reconnected (photo)

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
Realself100 surgeon

Thanks for asking. Earlobes requiring repair can be from a variety of reasons. For example, a torn earlobe from a pulled earring, gauged earlobes that are now unwanted, facelift surgery causing pulled earlobes, or just simply elongated from older age. Because of the variety of different causes, earlobe repair may vary in complexity. Prices will vary accordingly. and also vary depending on the region of the country you are in and the surgeon's expertise. Typically to correct a split earlobe, a portion from each side of the split lobe will be removed and then carefully sutured together. I have some special techniques that I employ to minimize scarring and notching that can be seen if not reconstructed properly. This repair can be performed comfortably under local anesthesia and earlobes can be re-pierced 6 weeks later if desired. Consult with an experienced board certified facial plastic / plastic surgeon in you area.

This happens all the time.  Holes can stretch over time, or are stretched after trauma, (kids pulling on earrings). We repair these holes often under local anesthesia in the office. I would not reccommend re stretching.  Give your local facial plastic surgeon or board certified plastic surgeon a call.

You have 2 main options.  The cut end can be reattached and then once healed you can try to stretch it out again. This should be done slowly after it heals for at least 6 weeks. Worst case scenario is that it tears again.  Also you can have the ear completely repaired and start from the beginning.

Repairing earlobes is a very common procedure.  Most people have them repaired after the hole from piercing has stretched down and turned into a slit, or sometimes, even torn through.  Earlobes can also be repaired after stretching.  Usually, the remaining piece can be reattached and I generally advise leaving it alone for at least 2 months.  I would not recommend stretching it again, as the repaired tissue will be weaker than normal.  You could just place a smaller circle in it to fill it, without stretching it more. 

Stretched  and torn earlobes can be reconstructed under local anesthesia by a board certified plastic surgeon. Re-stretching it is only asking for complications and this is not recommended.. It is important to re-approximate the curved earlobe precisely to avoid step off or other visible deformity. Re-piercing is probably best delayed a few months if the new piercing site is that all close to the closed site.

Ear lobe repair is a procedure that can be performed in the office (even yours) under local anesthesia and may take about 20 minutes.  The ear lobe will not be it's original strength so would not recommend restretching the ear lobe.  If you do, it will probably retear and will need repair again...each repair makes the earlobe weaker. Good luck.

That looks like a very bad situation. I would recommend having your earlobe repaired, completely put back together without a gauge piercing. Your lobe is going to be weaker than it was before and if you again stretch your lobe you raise the risk of this happening again. That is a very unfortunate situation. Seek a board certified Facial Plastic Surgeon or Plastic Surgeon to discuss exactly what needs to be done but I would not recommend proceeding with gauging that ear again.Stephen Weber MD, FACS

You have a torn earlobe. This can be reconstructed with a simple office procedure. I do not recommend restretching this repair.

This can be safely corrected under local anesthesia by a board certified plastic surgeon in the office.   I would recommend that you not repierce for 2-3 months to ensure proper healing.