Repair and reshape.
Earlobe Repair in Corpus Christi, TX
For such a small feature, the shape and health of a person’s ears and earlobes can cause a significant amount of self-consciousness and distress. Those with protruding, misshapen, torn, or creased ears and earlobes — through genetics or injury — may be good candidates for corrective ear or earlobe repair.
With skill and precision, these repairs can be achieved with minimal invasion and downtime, returning the earlobe to a near-normal appearance and function.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Earlobe Repair?
Anyone who is in generally good health and dissatisfied with the shape and appearance of their ears/earlobes is a good candidate for an earlobe repair procedure.
While some may have misshapen ears/earlobes due to genetic abnormalities, such as cupped ear or shell ear, most consider earlobe repair to correct torn or stretched earlobes after injury or gauging (plugs).
Alternatively, some patients may consider ear pinning surgery (otoplasty) to reposition protruding ears closer to the head.
Patients should discuss expectations and goals with their surgeon to ensure they are reasonable, achievable, and warranted.
Earlobe repair can boost confidence and self-esteem by enhancing facial aesthetics.
How Is Earlobe Repair Performed?
Earlobe repair is done under local or general anesthesia on an outpatient basis. While the time frame varies depending on the extent of repair, most patient’s earlobe repair takes as little as 30 minutes for repairing a torn earlobe, slightly longer for repairing a gauged earlobe, or as much as a couple of hours for an otoplasty.
To correct a torn, stretched, or gauged earlobe, Dr. Vijay will remove a small amount of skin around the tear and stitch the area back together. This is commonly the process when earlobes are damaged due to earrings being pulled, heavy earrings, or plugs.
Additional techniques are needed for protruding ears or abnormalities, like “cupped” or “shell” ear. With ear surgery, the ears can be repositioned closer to the head and reshaped for a natural and balanced appearance.
Ears are then carefully bandaged, and the healing process begins. Patients are generally sent home with detailed instructions for care and keeping sutures clean.
What Is Recovery From Earlobe Repair Like?
Recovery from repair of an enlarged piercing or a torn earlobe is relatively quick, with a return to normal activities within a few days. We ask that you not swim or go to the beach to minimize the risk of infection. For more involved procedures, initial healing will take about 10 days, during which care must be given to not put pressure on sutures, including during sleep. There may be some minor pain, inflammation, and itching, all of which can be controlled with medication. Some patients may experience temporary numbness.
Results will become more and more visible as time goes on.
What Kind of Results Can Be Expected With an Earlobe Repair?
Results from earlobe repair surgery will become apparent immediately following the procedure.
The lobe may be more symmetrical, with creases and tears made invisible and ears now part of a more pleasing aesthetic appearance of the face and head.
With careful post-operative care, the risk of infection or complication is low. Results should be permanent with no need for repeat procedures.
Interested in Learning More?
If you are in the Corpus Christi, Texas, area and would like to know more about whether earlobe repair might be right for you, give the experienced team at the Corpus Christi Institute of Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery a call.
Call 361-888-7417 today or use the online contact form.