Earlobe Repair
What is Earlobe Repair?
Earlobe repair is a surgical procedure designed to fix torn, stretched, or gauged earlobes, often caused by heavy earrings, trauma, or intentional stretching. At Restore SD Plastic Surgery, San Diego earlobe repair specialist Dr. Janet Chao specializes in earlobe repair to restore the natural shape and contour of your earlobes, helping you regain confidence in your appearance.
When performed by a qualified surgeon, earlobe repair is a quick, effective way to restore the natural shape and smooth appearance of torn or stretched earlobes
Who should consider Earlobe Repair?
Earlobe repair is ideal for those who:
- Have earlobes torn by earrings or trauma
- Experienced earlobe stretching from gauges or heavy jewelry
- Want to close large piercings or stretched holes
- Have an elongated earlobe due to aging or genetics
If you’re unhappy with the look of your earlobes, our expert plastic surgeon can help restore their shape and appearance.
Earlobe Repair with Dr. Chao in San Diego
Your Consultation
During your earlobe repair consultation, Dr. Chao will take the time to understand your specific concerns and goals. She will carefully examine your earlobes to assess the extent of any damage, such as tears, stretching, or irregularities, and discuss the best options for repair. You’ll have the opportunity to ask questions about the procedure, recovery, and expected results, ensuring you feel comfortable and informed going into the procedure. Dr. Chao will also provide personalized recommendations, including guidance on how to care for your earlobes before and after your procedure. By the end of your consultation with Dr. Chao, you’ll have a clear, customized treatment plan designed to restore the natural appearance of your earlobes.
What happens during ear repair surgery?
Earlobe repair is a relatively quick and straightforward procedure. To ensure your comfort, Dr. Chao begins by applying local anesthesia to numb the treatment area. Once the earlobe is fully numb, she carefully removes any scar tissue or excess skin to address issues such as tears, stretching, or irregularities. Using precise techniques, Dr. Chao reshapes and sutures the earlobe (or lobes), reconstructing it to achieve a smooth, symmetrical, and natural look.
The procedure typically takes about 30-60 minutes, depending on the extent of the damage and the complexity of the repair needed. Once completed, the sutures are used to close the incision, ensuring they heal smoothly. Since earlobe repair is performed under local anesthesia, patients can return home shortly after the procedure, with minimal downtime required.
Your Safety = Beautiful Results
Earlobe Repair at Restore SD
At Restore SD Plastic Surgery, patient safety comes first. Board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Katerina Gallus and Yale-trained facial plastic surgeon Dr. Janet Chao operate in a private, on-site Quad A-accredited surgery center, with state-of-the-art equipment and LED surgical lighting. They proudly work with a board-certified anesthesiologist and hold privileges at Scripps Memorial Hospital La Jolla.
Recovery
Recovery after earlobe repair is generally smooth, with most patients experiencing minimal swelling and discomfort in the days following the procedure. Any mild swelling typically subsides within a few days, and over-the-counter pain relief can be used to manage any discomfort. Dr. Chao will schedule a follow-up appointment within 7-10 days to remove the stitches and confirm you are healing as expected.
Full healing usually takes a few weeks, during which the earlobes will gradually return to a natural, smooth appearance. Once the earlobes have fully healed, patients can opt to re-pierce their ears—usually around 6-8 weeks after the procedure, but please wait until Dr. Chao has officially cleared you before you do so.
Our San Diego plastic surgery center will provide you with detailed aftercare instructions, including how to care for the treated area, avoid infections, and promote optimal healing. Dr. Chao and her team are always available to answer any questions you may have to help you enjoy a smooth and successful recovery.
Results
The results of earlobe repair are visible immediately after the procedure. While there may be some initial swelling, you will notice an immediate improvement in the shape and symmetry of the earlobes, with final results becoming clearer as healing progresses. Patients can expect their earlobes to be restored to a more natural, smooth shape, free from tears, stretching, or irregularities. Whether your earlobes were stretched by gauges, torn, or elongated from wearing heavy earrings, the procedure can reshape and improve their appearance, and allow you to wear earrings again if desired.
Earlobe repair results are designed to be long-lasting. However, to ensure the results last, it’s important to avoid heavy earrings, excessive stretching, or trauma to the earlobes following the procedure. Dr. Chao will provide post-care instructions and tips on how to maintain your results for the long term.
Frequently Asked Questions About Earlobe Repair Surgery
Why Choose Restore SD Plastic Surgery for Earlobe Repair?
Dr. Janet Chao is a fellowship-trained facial plastic surgeon with extensive experience in lip lift procedures. Her artistic eye and surgical precision ensure that patients achieve natural, beautiful results that enhance their overall appearance. At Restore SD, Dr. Chao and our entire patient care team is dedicated to providing a comfortable and supportive environment where your aesthetic goals are our top priority, and we will guide you through every step of your earlobe repair journey.
Dr. Chao’s elite facial plastic surgery training and remarkable attention to detail offers patients safe, natural-looking results. She will work closely with you to understand your goals and concerns to bring your aesthetic vision to life.
“I had my procedure a year ago this past September…They went above and beyond to make sure everything went well, including my recovery.”
—Google Review for Restore SD Plastic Surgery
Schedule Your Earlobe Repair Consultation in San Diego
If you’re ready to restore your earlobes or learn more about earlobe repair in San Diego, schedule a consultation with Dr. Chao at Restore SD Plastic Surgery today. We’re proud to serve La Jolla, Del Mar, and surrounding communities.
- Key Benefits
- Glossary
- Restores and repairs stretched or torn earlobes for a smooth, natural look, allowing you to wear earrings confidently again.
- Procedure is straightforward and performed under local anesthesia, with minimal downtime and fast healing
- Addresses a range of concerns, whether due to heavy earrings, gauges, or trauma
- Anesthesia: Medication used to numb the treatment area and ensure comfort during a procedure. For earlobe repair, local anesthesia is typically applied, allowing the patient to remain awake but pain-free.
- Cartilage: The firm, flexible tissue that provides structure to parts of the body, including the ears. Unlike the upper ear, the earlobe does not contain cartilage, making it more susceptible to stretching and tearing.
- Cosmetic Surgery: A branch of surgery that focuses on enhancing or improving the appearance of body parts. Earlobe repair is a minor cosmetic procedure aimed at restoring the natural look of the earlobes.
- Gauge: A type of body modification where progressively larger jewelry is inserted into a piercing to stretch it. Gauges can cause permanent stretching of the earlobes, which may require repair to restore the original shape.
- Incision: A small, precise cut made during surgery to access and reshape tissues. Dr. Chao uses meticulous incisions during earlobe repair to ensure a smooth, natural result.
- Keloid: A type of raised scar that can form at the site of an injury, including piercings or surgical procedures. People prone to keloids should discuss their concerns with Dr. Chao during the consultation.
- Lobuloplasty: The medical term for the surgical procedure that repairs and reconstructs the earlobe. Also commonly known as earlobe repair surgery.
- Local Anesthesia: A form of anesthesia that numbs only a specific area of the body, allowing patients to remain awake and comfortable during procedures like earlobe repair.
- Scar Revision: A surgical technique used to improve the appearance of existing scars. Scar revision may be performed in conjunction with earlobe repair to address previous scarring around the earlobe area.
- Sutures: Medical stitches used to close incisions after surgery. In earlobe repair, fine sutures are placed to bring the tissues together and promote smooth healing.
- Torn Earlobe: A condition where the earlobe splits or tears, often due to trauma, heavy earrings, or stretched piercings. Torn earlobes can be effectively corrected through earlobe repair surgery.
- Trauma: Physical injury or damage to the body. In the context of earlobes, trauma can refer to tears, stretching, or damage caused by accidents, jewelry, or body modifications.
- Volume Loss: A reduction in the fullness of the earlobes, which may occur due to aging or stretching. Volume can sometimes be restored through reconstructive techniques or fillers.
