Split or stretched earlobes can occur after years of wearing heavy earrings, accidental pulling, or trauma to the ear. This can cause distress concerning one’s appearance and the restoration of one’s ear symmetry. Fortunately, a split earlobe is very common and easy to repair. In most cases, the earlobe can be repaired on the day of operation right in Dr. Gordon Kaplan’s Edgewater, NJ practice in less than 30 minutes.
Some of the benefits of split earlobe repair include:
Results of split earlobe repair are generally instant due to the ease of the surgery. As a rule of thumb, it’s best for patients to wait 1 to 2 months before re-piercing their ear to allow the healing process to run its course (pinkness fades over time). Sutures are typically removed in less than 1 week. Patients may re-pierce the repaired earlobe, however, it is advised to do so in a slightly different location.
Ideal candidates for stretched or split earlobe repair include anyone seeking to correct damage caused by a number of instances. These include:
Torn earlobes can be corrected safely through delicate surgical repair techniques performed right at The Kaplan Center for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery. The procedure is routinely performed in the office under local anesthesia with optional sedation. After planning and marking, a small amount of lidocaine numbing solution is deposited. Earlobe correction surgery is generally completed in one quick visit. The repair is carried out then in a straight line or zigzag (see graphic above).
The healing process takes several weeks before the ear can be re-pierced, but almost all patients decide to re-pierce without issue. Expect some minor swelling and soreness, but overall, this surgery has one of the simplest recovery periods in modern cosmetic surgery. You will have to take caution with large or heavy earrings following the procedure, but small studs are relatively safe to use.