Q: What are the pros and cons of earlobe surgery?

Pros Earlobe repair surgery is a straightforward procedure that takes under an hour. Recovery is usually quick, with no downtime. Lifting or repairing stretched or torn earlobes can boost your self-confidence and give you more freedom in your hairstyle and earring choices. The procedure has a consistently high Worth It Rating from patients who reviewed their procedure on RealSelf. Cons While it isn’t a major surgical procedure and requires only a local anesthetic, earlobe repair surgery does come with a few risks. While rare, they include bleeding, lingering numbness in the lobe, abnormal scarring, or infection. “Repairing or reshaping an earlobe involves removal of some skin (and scar tissue). Therefore, the earlobe will be a little smaller than it was previously,” according to Dr. Robert Kraft , a board-certified plastic surgeon in Forest Hills, New York, who regularly performs earlobe repairs. Of the small percentage of patient reviewers rated their procedure “ Not Worth It ,” most cited asymmetry. “Even when both earlobes are repaired, there may be some asymmetry,” Dr. Kraft notes. “This usually is insignificant, as people rarely look at you head-on, and once earrings are worn again, it is often less apparent.” RealSelf Tip: If your primary concern is mild sagging and thin skin, earlobe rejuvenation with injectable dermal fillers could be a better choice for you than a surgical repair. Many providers use hyaluronic acid-based fillers, like Juvéderm or Restylane, to add volume and make lobes look more youthful for up to a year.

Question 1

What is earlobe repair?

Accepted Answer

Earlobe repair surgery tightens and reconstructs damaged earlobes that have been ripped, scarred, or stretched to the point of sagging, either due to aging, wearing heavy earrings, or gauging (intentional stretching). Also called earlobe reduction or a “lobe lift,” this quick cosmetic procedure can balance asymmetrical earlobes, make overly large earlobes more proportional, or subtly sculpt attached, stretched lobes called “pixie ears.”

During earlobe repair or reduction surgery, a plastic surgeon fixes any irregularities or tears, eliminates lumps or scars, and reshapes the tissue.

It's important to choose a doctor who has experience with fixing the type of earlobe damage you have, to create natural-looking results. Dr. Franziska Huettner, a board-certified plastic surgeon in New York City, explains that “the experience level with this type of surgery varies amongst providers. A torn earlobe would be different from a stretched earlobe, in terms of the repair it requires.”

As you’re choosing your surgeon, look for before and after photos and reviews from patients who had similar earlobe concerns, so you know they can fix it in a way that meets your expectations.

RealSelf Tip: If you're more concerned about ears that stick out or seem too big, you may be interested in an ear surgery called otoplasty, a plastic surgery procedure that reshapes the whole ear. You might also consider Earfold, which pins back the ears.

Question 2

What are the pros and cons of earlobe surgery?

Accepted Answer

Pros

Earlobe repair surgery is a straightforward procedure that takes under an hour.
Recovery is usually quick, with no downtime.
Lifting or repairing stretched or torn earlobes can boost your self-confidence and give you more freedom in your hairstyle and earring choices.
The procedure has a consistently high Worth It Rating from patients who reviewed their procedure on RealSelf.

Cons

While it isn’t a major surgical procedure and requires only a local anesthetic, earlobe repair surgery does come with a few risks. While rare, they include bleeding, lingering numbness in the lobe, abnormal scarring, or infection.
“Repairing or reshaping an earlobe involves removal of some skin (and scar tissue). Therefore, the earlobe will be a little smaller than it was previously,” according to Dr. Robert Kraft, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Forest Hills, New York, who regularly performs earlobe repairs.
Of the small percentage of patient reviewers rated their procedure “Not Worth It,” most cited asymmetry. “Even when both earlobes are repaired, there may be some asymmetry,” Dr. Kraft notes. “This usually is insignificant, as people rarely look at you head-on, and once earrings are worn again, it is often less apparent.”

RealSelf Tip: If your primary concern is mild sagging and thin skin, earlobe rejuvenation with injectable dermal fillers could be a better choice for you than a surgical repair. Many providers use hyaluronic acid-based fillers, like Juvéderm or Restylane, to add volume and make lobes look more youthful for up to a year.

Question 3

How much does earlobe surgery cost?

Accepted Answer

The cost of earlobe repair depends on the extent of your procedure, your surgeon’s credentials, and their location. Doctors typically charge per earlobe.

See our complete guide to earlobe surgery costs

Question 4

Is earlobe surgery covered by insurance?

Accepted Answer

Insurance may cover reconstructive surgery that’s deemed medically necessary by your doctor, but cosmetic surgery isn't covered.

Talk with your provider about whether your case might qualify as medically necessary.

Question 5

Earlobe repair before and after pictures

Accepted Answer

The earlobe repair photos in our gallery have been shared by the surgeon who performed the procedure, with the patient's consent.

Question 6

Who makes a good candidate for earlobe surgery?

Accepted Answer

Good candidates for earlobe repair or reduction have:

Enlarged earring holes or stretched-out lobes from wearing heavy earrings or ear gauging
Trauma or a split earlobe from accidents, injury, or ripped-out earrings
Keloid scarring or benign scar tissue, which can be removed
Pixie ears, a phenomenon that can be genetic or the result of the pulling from an overly tight facelift
Sagging earlobes due to aging

Question 7

Is earlobe surgery safe?

Accepted Answer

This is widely considered to be a very safe type of cosmetic surgery when performed by an experienced surgeon.

To reduce your risk of side effects like bleeding, be honest with your doctor about your medical history. Disclose any medications you’re on, including over-the-counter medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen, which can contribute to bleeding during surgery.

Don’t drink any alcohol for 24 hours before and after surgery, and avoid smoking for at least two weeks pre- and post-op (nicotine can impair your body’s ability to heal).

If you have a cold, the flu, an infection, or a fever, let your doctor know prior to your procedure.

Question 8

How does earlobe surgery work?

Accepted Answer

Earlobe repair procedures are usually performed in-office by ear, nose, and throat specialists (otolaryngologists), facial plastic surgeons, or dermatologic surgeons.

The surgery may take anywhere from 15 minutes to an hour, depending on your unique situation and treatment plan. Local anesthesia is all that’s needed to numb the area.

For overly large or sagging lobes, these are the most common surgical techniques.

Peripheral margin reduction trims off a portion of excess tissue from the bottom of the earlobe, along the inside border of the lobe.
Wedge reduction removes a pie-shaped portion of excess tissue from either the inner area of the lobe (near your jawline) or the center of the lobe, which may include the piercing hole.

Tiny sutures are then used to close the incisions. Scarring is minimal with either of these methods.

To repair stretched lobes from gauge piercing, some tissue often needs to be removed in both the horizontal and vertical parts of the hole to create a natural shape, explains Dr. Joshua Cooper, a board-certified plastic surgeon in Seattle. “Otherwise, it is possible to end up with an earlobe that looks long or pointed.”

Question 9

How long does recovery take after earlobe surgery?

Accepted Answer

You should feel fine to return to work and other normal activities (except for exercise and other vigorous physical activity) immediately after surgery. Just be aware that your lobes will be covered in bandages.

Follow your doctor’s recommendations, which may include:

removing the bandages after 4 days
gently cleaning and applying an antibiotic ointment to your incisions
wearing a head wrap or headband for a couple weeks, to help protect your ears and encourage healing

You might experience redness, temporary bumpiness in the lobes, and bruising. These symptoms are normal and usually resolve within a few days.

Unless your surgeon uses dissolvable sutures, you'll have them removed at a follow-up appointment a week after your procedure.

Question 10

Does earlobe repair surgery hurt?

Accepted Answer

You'll be given local anesthesia for the surgery itself, so you will be comfortable throughout the procedure.

You may be given prescription pain medication for the first day of recovery, but most patients don’t require more than over-the-counter pain medication (ibuprofen or acetaminophen). In Dr. Kraft’s experience, “many patients require no pain medication.”

If you have severe pain, call your surgeon immediately; this can be a sign of infection.

Question 11

When can I pierce my ears again after earlobe surgery?

Accepted Answer

You can safely undergo earlobe piercing and wear earrings again 2 to 6 months after a repair procedure.

Doctors strongly recommend that you get your re-piercing to the side of or above the scar, to reduce the risk of a future tear. “Scar tissue does not hold onto the earring as well as normal skin,” Dr. Kraft explains.

Question 12

Can I reduce my earlobe size at home?

Accepted Answer

Removing your gauged ear piercings can help stop the stretching, but there isn’t an at-home method that will help. The only way to truly reduce your earlobe size or repair damage is surgery.

EARLOBE REPAIR

Dr. Robert L. Kraft

Mari Malcolm

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Dr. Robert L. Kraft

Mari Malcolm

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