Earlobe Repair In Gainesville, FL
The ears are among our most unique and distinct facial features. Even with long hair, patients who attempt to hide their ears and earlobes quickly come to find that the earlobe is a facial feature that defies camouflage. Earlobes are made entirely of soft tissue, making them susceptible to damage from accidents, wearing heavy earrings, earrings that become pulled, or intentional stretching from wearing gauged earrings. The earlobes can sag or become misshapen either due to congenital problems or natural aging. Whatever your reason for seeking earlobe repair, our board-certified plastic surgeon with John W. Tyrone, MD, PLLC, Plastic Surgery can help restore your confidence using a balance of surgical expertise, artistic attention to detail, and state-of-the-art surgical technology. The results from ear surgery can help you reclaim your sense of identity for an improved quality of life.
John W. Tyrone, MD, PLLC, Plastic Surgery offers high-quality surgical and nonsurgical plastic surgery in Gainesville, FL. Contact our reconstructive and plastic surgery office today to learn more about our plastic surgery and reconstructive surgery procedures and to schedule a consultation for treatment.
Earlobe Reduction
Earlobe reduction is a procedure performed to surgically decrease the size of the earlobes that droop, are overly large, or pendulous for improved facial symmetry and proportions. An earlobe reduction may be performed to correct earlobe size abnormalities due to genetics, congenital defects, the natural aging process, or to correct the effects of trauma to the earlobes. Earlobe reduction is typically performed using one of two methods, the wedge technique or the peripheral edge technique. The most appropriate technique for an individual patient can be determined through a consultation with our plastic surgeon. With both methods, however, excess skin is removed and the earlobe is then sutured into the desired shape for the desired appearance. The results of an earlobe reduction procedure are immediate and permanent. This procedure is usually performed in conjunction with otoplasty, or ear pinning surgery, a brow lift, or with facial reconstruction surgery.
Earlobe Reconstruction
Earlobe repair and earlobe reconstruction procedures offer effective solutions to improving signs of damage or trauma to the earlobes resulting from injuries, excessive tearing, heavy earrings, ear gauges, and congenital factors, among other causes. Earlobe reconstruction can likewise be used to rejuvenate the appearance of earlobes that are stretched or altered due to the natural aging process. The exact techniques used during earlobe reconstruction surgery is individualized to each patient and is based on a number of factors unique to them, such as the current appearance or state of their earlobes, their goals for reconstructive surgery, and any other procedures to be performed in conjunction with reconstruction to help ensure optimal results. This procedure is relatively quick, depending on the complexity of the reconstruction, and minimal discomfort to the treated areas is to be expected following the procedure.
Split Earlobe Repair
There are many causes of split earlobes and widened holes in the earlobes from piercings. Split earlobes are often due to acute trauma, which can occur if the earrings are pulled through the piercing hole. This can also happen as a result of repeated pulling on or off of clothing over the head while wearing earrings, inadvertently resulting in trauma to the earlobe in the form of a split. Regularly wearing heavy earrings and earlobe adornments can likewise lengthen piercing holes, eventually causing the earrings to pull through the holes over time. Individuals who have thin earlobe tissues are predisposed to experiencing split earlobes. If you desire to restore the appearance of your split earlobes, then our plastic surgeons can help. Our practice offers surgical earlobe split repair to help reverse the visual effects of both partially split and fully split earlobes. Contact our office to learn more about this procedure and to schedule a consultation.
Stretched Earlobe Repair
Earlobes can become stretched for a number of different reasons. The earlobes may be stretched intentionally using ear gauges, which gradually expand a simple ear piercing into larger-size plugs. The excessive stretching of the earlobes using expanders such as gauges causes severe thinning or distortion of the earlobe tissues. In some cases, the more severe the stretching and distortion, the more difficult it is to restore the appearance of the earlobes to their natural, pre-stretched condition. Additionally, the earlobes can become stretched due to trauma, aging, heavy earrings, and other factors. Our plastic surgeons leverage their skill, aesthetic artistry, and extensive experience to perform earlobe surgery in order to repair and restore stretched earlobes. Repair of gauged earlobes require reconstruction by a board-certified plastic surgeon, such as those with John W. Tyrone, MD, PLLC, Plastic Surgery. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our Gainesville plastic surgeon!
Ear Scar Tissue
In addition to earlobe repair, reconstruction, and reduction procedures, our practice likewise offers scar revision procedures for earlobes that have sustained injuries, trauma, and damage, which inevitably resulted in visible scarring, such as keloid scars, on the earlobe skin. Because the skin and tissues that make up the earlobe are so thin and fragile in comparison with other, thicker areas of the body, earlobes that sustain trauma, such as from burns, congenital problems, or a previous surgery, can easily develop scarring. For these patients, we recommend they undergo a scar revision procedure in order to help diminish the appearance of scar tissue, restore normal skin function, and to promote higher self-esteem in our patients. As with other reconstructive surgical procedures, the primary goal of scar revision earlobe plastic surgery is to restore function and to improve the appearance of the affected areas.
What To Expect During Your Earlobe Repair Procedure
Earlobe repair is performed on an outpatient basis. This procedure is typically performed with a local anesthetic to numb the ears. Small incisions are made around a patient’s earlobes, and the stretched pieces of tissue are then excised. If the tear in the earlobe is partial and does not break through the bottom of the ear, the elliptical tear will be excised and sutured. If the tear is in the lower third of the earlobe, plastic surgeons extend the tear entirely through the ear, excise the skin, and suture the ear into a pointed shape. The remaining healthy tissue is skillfully rearranged and stitched back together using sutures. Our skilled plastic surgeon, Dr. Tyrone, will make sure your earlobes maintain a smooth, natural appearance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes! In the vast majority of cases, patients are eligible for torn earlobe repair. Whether your earlobes have been damaged by a sudden trauma, natural aging, ear gauging, or a former earlobe surgery, our plastic surgeons can restore their original shape. Depending on the specific trauma and existing scar tissue on each earlobe, the technique required to successfully repair the function of the earlobe skin and to effectively restore the appearance of the earlobes may vary from patient to patient. Oftentimes, earlobe repair surgery is relatively simple and quick to perform and requires minimally invasive techniques for optimal results. Find out which type of earlobe repair is best for your needs; contact John W. Tyrone, MD, PLLC, Plastic Surgery.
Earlobe repair, earlobe reduction, and earlobe surgery are among the least invasive types of plastic and aesthetic surgery performed. Depending on the degree or severity of the existing damage on the earlobes, this procedure is performed relatively quickly under a local anesthetic to help ensure patients feel little-to-no pain during their surgery. Once the earlobes have fully healed, patients can enjoy permanent, visible improvements to the look of their earlobes and overall ear appearance. Ideal candidates for this procedure are patients who are in relatively good health, have realistic expectations for plastic and a surgery, and aesthetic do not have any serious medical conditions that might interfere with the procedure. The best way to assess your candidacy for this procedure is by scheduling a consultation with our plastic surgeons. Potential side effects of this procedure may include moderate pain, swelling, itching, redness, and numbness. Each of these side effects, if they occur, should subside throughout the recovery process. Should you experience severe discomfort or pain, or if you notice any signs of an infection at the treated sites, please contact our plastic surgery office right away.
This procedure is not performed under general anesthesia and, thus, there is no in-office recovery time required and patients are free to resume their day once the procedure is complete. However, in order to ensure proper healing, certain precautions should be taken throughout each phase of the healing process. While patients may resume their normal, daily activities directly after their procedure, it’s important to avoid strenuous activity for the first week following the surgery. Cleanse the area at minimum three times per day in accordance with the provided aftercare instructions. If patients receive sutures, they should not sleep directly on their ears or apply pressure to the areas until the sutures are removed. Depending on each patient’s specific circumstances, sutures might be removed in a matter of weeks, and ears can eventually be pierced again. Contact our Gainesville plastic surgery office today to learn more about earlobe repair surgery!