Earlobe repair surgery restores a natural-looking lobe by correcting tears caused by large earrings, trauma, or damage from gauges.
Earlobe Repair in Richmond, VA
About Earlobe Repair
Our Richmond, VA, facial plastic surgery office offers specialized surgery to repair gauged or damaged earlobes. Double board-certified plastic surgeon Dr. Matthew Bridges skillfully restores earlobes stretched by heavy earrings or gauges or torn from trauma. If you have stretched or torn earlobes and are looking for earlobe repair in Richmond, VA, contact our office to schedule a consultation with Dr. Bridges today.
Our Surgical Approach
Earlobe repair surgery can often be performed in our plastic surgery office using local anesthesia, but it can be done in the operating room if needed. Torn earlobes are relatively simple to repair and are nearly always done under local anesthesia. Gauged earlobes can be very complex to repair but can still usually be done under local anesthesia. Because large gauges can distort the tissue significantly, repairing gauged earlobes requires special expertise. Dr. Bridges has extensive experience in this procedure and produces amazing results.
What To Expect
After earlobe repair surgery, patients can expect minor discomfort, depending on how complex the repair is. Minor swelling is common, and occasionally, some bruising will result. Tylenol or Motrin are effective in relieving these temporary post-surgery discomforts. Earlobes can usually be re-pierced in about 8-10 weeks following the procedure. Dr. Bridges will perform the complimentary re-piercing procedure in the office.
Earlobe Repair FAQ
Can you repair a gauged ear?
What about new piercings?
Is there a protocol after?
Does it hurt?
Can you repair a gauged ear?
Gauged earlobes can certainly be repaired, with the complexity proportional to the size of the hole. The larger the gauge, the more stretched the tissue around the hole becomes. Sometimes, this tissue becomes too thin to salvage and must be surgically removed. Other earlobe tissue can be used to recreate the normal shape and contour of the new earlobe.
What about new piercings?
Dr. Bridges can re-pierce your earlobes following the healing process. This is usually done 8-10 weeks after the procedure. Great care is taken to make sure the new piercing is as symmetric as possible to the other side.
Is there a protocol after?
Dr. Bridges will review the post-op recovery process with each patient. Patients should wait 24 hours before showering or washing their hair. Additionally, care should be taken not to scratch, touch, or disturb the repaired lobe when dressing or brushing hair. It’s recommended to avoid sleeping on the surgical site for about a week. Stitches are typically removed 7-10 days after surgery.
Does it hurt?
Earlobe repair surgery is performed using local anesthesia, which means your earlobe will be numb when the procedure is performed. During treatment, we will make every effort to ensure your comfort.
