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Plenty of patients come to us looking for a way to repair earlobes that have become stretched, damaged, or somehow torn. Earlobe repair is a simple cosmetic improvement that restores your self-confidence, as well as your overall sense of facial harmony.

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Why Get an Earlobe Repair?

This minimally invasive surgery enables you to repair and reshape your earlobes, which may have become stretched or torn for a variety of reasons, such as age, genetics, or the wearing of heavy earrings or gauges. Even when you stop wearing heavy earrings or remove gauges, you may find that your ears remain stretched out, but this doesn’t have to be permanent.

With earlobe repair, you can restore balance to your appearance, enjoying ears that are more naturally proportioned to the shape and size of your face. Founder and medical director Ross A. Clevens, MD, FACS, a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, and Phillip Barbee, MD, will work with you to achieve your desired look, whether that means restoring your earlobes to their original size and shape; altering your earlobes’ appearance; or repairing rips, tears, and other damage. To learn more, reach out to us at our Merritt Island or Melbourne, FL offices and set up your consultation today.

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Before and After Earlobe Repair

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Do I Need an Earlobe Repair?

Dr. Clevens and Dr. Barbee perform earlobe reconstruction not only on patients with torn or stretched earlobes, but also on men and women who are generally unhappy with the size, shape, or appearance of their earlobes, to better improve their sense of facial harmony.

They also specialize in repairing the earlobes of patients who used to wear gauges. During your consultation, we’ll get to know your goals and work together with you to craft a surgical plan that sees you realizing them. Torn or stretched earlobes, or ears that simply don’t feel as though they’re adding to your sense of facial symmetry can be addressed with earlobe repair, so you can enjoy all the confidence that comes with loving the way you look in the mirror each day.

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A Team Built on Experience and Trust

Clevens Face and Body Specialists is home to a team of experts, and we’re excited to offer you the treatments that’ll align the image you see in the mirror each day with the youthfulness and vitality that you feel on the inside. By carefully selecting a team of 30 experienced professionals—each of whom meets his tremendously high standards for excellence—Dr. Clevens created a practice that provides an elevated standard of care, brought to life by an approachable group of surgeons and in an environment that you’ll find relaxing and welcoming.

Our team has a true passion for patient care, and will ensure that you’re kept safe, comfortable, and informed at every step of your journey.

We like to treat our patients like family and are here to ensure that you’re supported throughout your time with us. Our team will be available to address any concerns you may have, so you can rest assured as you get ready to enjoy your life-affirming cosmetic results.

The Benefits of Earlobe Repair Surgery

Earlobe repair surgery gives our patients the opportunity not only to restore the appearance of their earlobes but their confidence and self-esteem, too. The change in appearance may be small, but it can have a significant impact on one’s overall quality of life.

In addition to the personal benefits, earlobe repair surgery can also help you professionally. Many patients choose earlobe reconstruction because of workplace or military restrictions against stretched earlobes. Don’t let your earlobes get in the way of landing an exciting job or enjoying your ideal appearance. Reach out and set up your consultation at our Merritt Island or Melbourne, FL offices and learn more about how Dr. Clevens and his team can help you.

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Before Your Surgery: Your Preoperative Consultation

Prospective patients are encouraged to be in good health prior to undergoing any cosmetic surgery, and your surgeon will work with you to ensure that you have realistic expectations for your results and that you understand the limitations of cosmetic procedures. During your consultation with Dr. Clevens or Dr. Barbee and their team, your surgeon will get to know your cosmetic goals and the relevant details of your lifestyle. This will help us guide you to the procedure and technique that is right for you. Once we’ve designed your treatment plan, we’ll work with you to explore our available financing options, schedule your pre- and post-operative appointments, and help you understand exactly what you can expect from your procedure and recovery.

Our goal is to ensure that you’re as well-informed as possible so that you can experience relaxation and peace of mind as you get ready to enjoy your impressive results. To get started, reach out and set up your consultation today.

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Your Earlobe Repair Procedure

Earlobe repair is an in-office procedure that will be performed under local anesthesia. Though it is a relatively minor procedure, earlobe surgery is best performed by an experienced surgeon who has a keen artistic sensibility and understands how to reconstruct the ear to a natural shape. The procedure takes no more than 45 minutes to an hour to complete, with each ear taking 15 to 30 minutes. During the procedure, anesthesia will be administered at the incision site, so you’ll remain completely comfortable throughout the duration.

Your surgeon will make small incisions in the natural creases of your ear to camouflage the small incision lines that will form once they’ve healed. Your surgeon will reshape earlobe tissue to restore an aesthetically pleasing, natural look.

For gauge repair, your surgeon will create a new, natural-looking earlobe shape and suture the edges together to ensure proper closure and healing. You’ll be able to return home shortly after your procedure is over.

Recovery After Your Earlobe Repair

Downtime for earlobe repair surgery is very brief. To minimize post-surgical swelling, we’ll recommend that you sleep with your head elevated for a few days. You can usually return to work and other activities a few days after your procedure, and your sutures will be removed after about five to seven days. You’ll be able to resume exercise about 48 hours after your earlobe repair.

Before your surgery, we’ll give you detailed aftercare instructions, and our team will be available to you as you recover and get ready to enjoy your results. Your full results will be visible once any fullness has completely subsided, and we’ll be sure to provide you with everything you’ll need to remain comfortable as you heal.

Our Results

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What Our Patients Say

Take a look at the positive feedback from one of our ear repair surgery patients. If you’re interested in speaking with a patient who has achieved results similar to the ones you have in mind for yourself, be sure to let us know during your consultation.

“Clevens Face and Body Specialists are warm, funny, and made me feel very comfortable. The procedure went fantastic, and my recovery is going as expected with awesome results! Thank you so much for giving me my self-esteem back.” – R.A., patient review

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Earlobe Repair Surgery FAQs

What are the risks of earlobe surgery?

Can I wear earrings again after the procedure?

How old should a person be before undergoing earlobe surgery?

Is an earlobe repair procedure uncomfortable?

Will there be any visible incision lines?

I used to wear large gauges. Can you fix my earlobes?

What are the risks of earlobe surgery?

Like all cosmetic procedures, earlobe repair carries some risks. Infection, bleeding, unfavorable incision lines, and notching can occur. However, these risks are minimized when the procedure is performed by an experienced facial plastic surgery specialist, such as Dr. Clevens or Dr. Barbee.

Can I wear earrings again after the procedure?

Yes. Many patients have their ears re-pierced following an earlobe repair procedure. Most patients can pierce their ears again about 60 days after surgery.

How old should a person be before undergoing earlobe surgery?

There is no set age for earlobe repair, and it can be recommended to patients of all ages. Some young patients come in for gauge repair between the ages of 18 and 30 when they are in a different phase of life or starting a new career, while older patients may need earlobe reconstruction as the skin begins to sag and the earlobes become stretched and droopy.

Children whose earlobes are deformed due to a birth defect or trauma can usually undergo the procedure as soon as their ears stop growing—around the age of seven. If the surgery is done prior to this age, the ears continue to grow and the results may become distorted. Ear surgeries, including otoplasty, must be postponed until the ears are fully mature.

Is an earlobe repair procedure uncomfortable?

Surgery to repair the earlobe is performed with local anesthesia. This will fully numb the area and patients will feel no discomfort. They may feel some pressure, but there should be no discomfort during the procedure itself. Minor soreness may occur during recovery, but this can typically be managed with over-the-counter medication if necessary.

Will there be any visible incision lines?

All surgeries produce some visible incision lines, but our facial plastic surgeons are experts at minimizing their appearance. Dr. Clevens and Dr. Barbee take care to conceal earlobe repair incisions in discreet locations, such as in the creases of the ears, to camouflage incision lines. Though some visible incision lines will remain, they should fade and be difficult to notice after a few months.

I used to wear large gauges. Can you fix my earlobes?

The effectiveness of cosmetic surgery varies from patient to patient, but most people who previously wore gauges can typically achieve very natural-looking results with earlobe repair. Dr. Clevens or Dr. Barbee can assess the condition of your earlobes during your consultation and determine how much improvement you can expect from the procedure.

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