Earlobe repair London
The ears play a fundamental role in the maintenance of facial proportions and symmetry. The earlobe is easily prone to injury from traumatic insults or ear rings. Problems with the earlobe are surprisingly common. Although seen as relatively trivial in nature, they can exert a disproportionately negative effect on self-image and confidence. Fortunately, earlobes can be easily repaired. Earlobe repair surgery is also often referred to as a lobuleplasty.
Earlobe repair is a safe and effective way to correct ears that have been stretched, split or torn by tribal piercings or other earrings. This commonly happens when an ear piercing, sometimes referred to as flesh tunnels, has gradually had its diameter increased. This is a suitable procedure for both men and women who have stretched earlobes.
There are some people who are not happy with the size of their earlobes because they feel that they are too large. In these cases, an earlobe reduction can be performed by removing excess earlobe tissue. When choosing earlobe repair, it is important that you consult with a qualified plastic surgeon who has experience in these kinds of repairs.
All our surgeons are on the GMC specialist register. Our London clinic at 106 Crawford Street was recently inspected and rated as good across all 5 domains.
10 REASONS TO CHOOSE US – CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE
What is included in my treatment package?
- As many preoperative consultations with your surgeon as you like to make sure the procedure is right for you
- Treatment at a specialist day surgery facility recently rated ‘Good’ by the CQC
- Enhanced same day discharge with the added benefits of recovering in your own home
- 24/7 clinical support from your surgeon for first 48 hours and our expert postoperative support team
- Your very own dedicated patient coordinator
- In-depth preoperative medical assessment to make sure you are fully fit for the rhinoplasty procedure
- Exceptionally high standards of postoperative care described as ‘outstanding’ by the CQC with regular telephone and face to face checks by our expert postoperative support team
RealSelf Top Doctors for earlobe repair
RealSelf top doctor status is awarded to less than 10% of the RealSelf doctor community. This status is earned by achieving consistently high patient satisfaction (from RealSelf reviews), getting excellent feedback on expert answers to patient questions, and after investing significant time in Q&A and other doctor activity. RealSelf top doctors are rated among the very best surgeons in the United Kingdom and USA.
| Earlobe repair | Fast facts |
|---|---|
| Procedure time ⏳ | 30mins-1 hour |
| Anaesthetic type 💉 | LA |
| Length of stay 🛏 | Day case |
| Up and mobile 🚶🏻♂️ | Same day |
| Washing 🛁 | 3 days |
| Sexual activity ❤️ | 1 week |
| Back to work 📅 | Same day |
| Driving 🚗 | Same day |
| Postoperative garment 👕 | No garment |
| Sleeping 😴 | On back 1 week |
| Exercise 🏃🏽♀️ | 3 days |
| Full recovery 🕺🏻 | 4 weeks |
| Final results 😃 | 6 weeks |
Earlobe repair specialists
Centre for Surgery strive to provide each and every patient with the very highest standard of care. Our plastic surgeons are constantly learning about the latest techniques at international conferences to apply to patient care. The expert surgical methods combined with many years of experience result in earlobe repair results that look beautiful and natural-looking that are in harmony with overall facial aesthetics. Centre for Surgery differ from other providers in that our surgeons are sub-specialists and only perform a select range of procedures in which they are recognised as accredited experts.
If you are interested in earlobe repair, why not book a face to face consultation with one of our specialist earlobe surgeons. Our surgeons will take time to assess you in full including selecting the most suitable method of repair customised to your unique needs and preferences. If you wish, a selection of earlobe repair before and after photos of real patients can be shown, what you can expect in terms of results and answer all your questions in detail.
Our clinic at 106 Crawford Street was recently inspected and rated as good across all 5 domains.
10 REASONS TO CHOOSE US
The Centre for Surgery approach to aftercare
Our aftercare programme was recently described as ‘outstanding’ by our regulator, the Care Quality Commission.
Our postoperative support team call all our patients the day after their procedure and then every other day thereafter for the first two weeks. The proactive nature of our postoperative support gives every patient the best opportunity for a smooth postoperative recovery free of complications. In many cases if complications were to occur, their impact is markedly lessened by early detection, prompt clinical assessment and correct treatment. Where a patient expresses concern to our team over the phone, then we often call patients in the same day for assessment with one of our expert nursing team. Even if there is no significant issue, the careful explanation and calm reassurance provided by our team can help to alleviate any worries you may have experienced.
Read testimonials from our amazing patients
Split and stretched earlobe repair
Expected Results after Earlobe Repair
- Correction of earlobes that have been torn, split or stretched
- Congenital correction of earlobes that were abnormally shaped from birth
- Renewed self confidence to style hair in such a way to reveal the earlobes
- Freedom to wear all sorts of earrings with no risk of the earrings falling out
Should I have my earlobes repaired?
Large earrings and plugs will create a hole in the earlobe, which becomes bigger as the diameter of the earring is increased. After a certain size, the earlobe will never contract to its original size and shape. The altered shape of the earlobe is often difficult to hide, particularly for those who have shorter hair.
Sometimes the stretched or split earlobe will negatively impact your appearance and in some instances your work or career. In these cases, earlobe repair surgery is an appropriate option.
Dangers of ear stretching
- Can cause an ‘ear blow-out’, which happens when the skin inside of the earlobe is forced out through the back of the piercing
- Earlobe repair is the only option for stretched ears to go back to normal
- Can cause physical pain
Would highly recommend Centre for Surgery. Very professional staff who supported me through my entire journey from initial consultation to the procedure. Always on hand to answer any questions I had and thoroughly explained the procedure and associated risks to ensure I was well-informed.
Ideal Candidate for Earlobe Repair
- Torn, stretched or injured earlobes
- Congenitally excessively large or small earlobes
- Large holes created from tribal piercings
- Earlobes that have sagged or overly prominent scars such as keloids
- Fear that earrings will fall out because of how stretched the earlobes are
- Fear of having hair styles that will expose the earlobes on show to others
Earlobe repair is a suitable procedure for any person who has had large, heavy jewellery in the past or sustained an injury which has caused their earlobes to become damaged. Those who have naturally large earlobes or whose earlobes have enlarged with age may also wish to undertake this procedure.
This procedure is suitable for those who are over 18 years old.
Earlobe repair procedure
Earlobe repair is one of the most popular procedures performed at Centre for Surgery. Earlobe repair take about an hour to perform if a patient elects to have both ears repaired. The treatment of torn earlobes, split earlobes or stretched earlobes demand a procedure which involves a reconstruction of the soft tissue and sometimes to replace any tissue that beyond repair. In cases of partial tear, the surgeon will surgically excise the injured skin and suture the earlobe back together using very fine sutures. A restoration of normal and natural looking earlobes can be expected at the conclusion of the procedure.
Centre for Surgery is one of the most highly regarded providers of earlobe repair.
Our surgeons reconstruct all types of earlobe deformity using meticulous plastic surgery techniques.
- Split earlobe repair
- Stretched earlobe repair
- Tribal earlobe repair
Earlobe repair is performed under a local anaesthetic, so you will still be awake but unable to feel any pain. The surgery involves removing any excess tissue, with surgeons applying fine internal and external stitches to the earlobe. This will create a normal earlobe shape.
Earlobe repair is performed as a day case, so you will be able to return home on the same day.
Amazing service from start to finish, extremely professional staff and surgeons. Special thanks to my Consultant Plastic Surgeon Dr Ertan Erel was brilliant and made me feel so calm and confident from the moment we met through my consultation. He is definitely second to none. I would recommend Centre for Surgery in a heart beat.
Cost of ear lobe repair
There are a number of a factors which will impact on the final cost of your earlobe repair procedure:
- Primary or revision earlobe repair
- One or both earlobes
- Complex corrections such as tribal earlobes
- Earlobe reduction
Why not call 0207 993 4849 and speak to one of our expert patient coordinators who may be able to give you a rough costing prior to your earlobe repair procedure.
Always remember that price should never be the determining factor when it comes to choosing your provider. We feel that safety and quality of service should be your number one priority and instilling in you the confidence that our team will look after you before, during and after your procedure to the best of their ability.
Preparation for earlobe repair
Earlobe repair can be performed on a ‘see and treat’ basis on the same day as the consultation provided our patient coordinators are informed of your preference at the consultation booking stage. The earlobe repair procedure is performed under local anaesthetic as an outpatient. After earlobe repair surgery, you will be required to follow all the necessary postoperative instructions to ensure a smooth recovery.
You should avoid taking any aspirin containing medicines before the procedure for at least 1 week beforehand. You should also avoid smoking and drinking alcohol for a minimum of 48 hours beforehand as both smoking tobacco and drinking alcohol impair the wound healing process.
If you have the procedure under local anaesthetic only (with no oral sedation), you may drive home after the procedure.
Recovery after earlobe repair surgery
Earlobe repair is a procedure with very little in the way of discomfort. The recovery period is characteristically very quick. Your surgeon may prescribe you a special antibiotic ointment to apply to the earlobes or a special brown tape may be applied to the earlobes which is dependent upon the surgical techniques employed.
In most cases there is no discomfort but your surgeon may recommend over the counter painkillers in the event of any prolonged soreness. Bruising and swelling are temporary phenomena and are expected to disappear in a few weeks after the procedure. Once the repair is fully healed, you can have your ears re-pierced if you wish.
You should avoid wearing polar neck jumpers or pressing your phone close to your earlobe for about a week after the procedure. You should also avoid direct sun exposure to the area and avoid use of harsh soaps to facilitate excellent healing. It is perfectly fine to return to work straightaway – there is no downtime with earlobe repair surgery. However you may wish to consider having your procedure at the end of the week to allow some rest over the weekend.
Want to wear earrings earlier?
During your consultation, it is best to discuss with your surgeon if you are wanting to wear earrings earlier then you may be a suitable candidate for the rotational flap technique, which will allow you to wear earrings sooner. This procedure will take around 50-60 minutes on each earlobe.
Risks and potential complications after earlobe repair surgery
Earlobe repair surgery is recognised to be a low-risk procedure with minimal risk of complications. Your surgeon will fully assess you to ensure your suitability for the procedure. During your consultation, the surgeon will outline the risks and potential complications associated with earlobe repair surgery.
Potential complications of earlobe repair
- Surgical site infection
- Keloid scarring
- Delayed wound healing
- Potential requirement for a revision procedure
Earlobe repair before and after
Earlobe reduction before and after
Earlobe repair specialists
Centre for Surgery are a medical practice with a commitment to providing all of our patients with the very highest standards of medical care. Our specialist plastic surgeons are always learning to keep abreast of the latest advances in their field of practice. This ensures patients get optimal results. With the use of microsurgical techniques combined with years of experience, all our earlobe repair patients cam achieve natural earlobes which are in overall facial harmony. Our surgeons are recognised sub-specialists and we believe this helps to achieve superior outcomes compared with general plastic surgeons. By performing a smaller number of procedures extremely well, outcomes are better compared with surgeons who perform lots of different procedures but each one with much lower frequency. If you are interested in earlobe repair, we would recommend booking a private consultation with one of our specialist plastic surgeons. Our surgeons will take time to assess you carefully and fully and will then advise the most earlobe repair technique to get optimal results.
You can ask to see before and after photos of recently treated patients to gain a general idea of what can be achieved with earlobe repair surgery. The surgeon will be able to answer any questions you may have about the earlobe repair procedure.
FAQs
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When should I have earlobe repair surgery?You need an earlobe repair surgery if you feel that stretched or split earlobes are affecting your appearance impacting your work and career, the earlobe repair surgical team at Centre for Surgery can provide a full range of surgical treatment options.
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How is earlobe repair surgery performed?The procedure involves removing the excess tissue and using fine internal and external stitches in the earlobe to create a normal shape.
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What anaesthetic is used?Earlobe repair is performed under a local anaesthetic. This means you will be awake during the procedure but unable to feel any discomfort in the treatment area.
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How long is the procedure going to take?Earlobe repair surgery takes approximately 30 minutes to one hour
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What is the recovery period like?The procedure has zero downtime which means the recovery period is fast with minimal discomfort and the patient can take painkillers if needed.
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Are there any risks associated with earlobe repair surgery?The complications linked to the procedure are minimal. Most common risks usually are infection, excessive scar formation, and notching, but these can be minimised with maximum safety optimisation.
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Will I be left with scars?There will be small scars on the ears which will look red after the surgery, but will eventually fade to a pale silvery colour. The earlobe should look almost completely normal with no obvious signs of the previous piercing after 4-6 months.
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Will I be able to wear earrings again?Yes, ears can be re-pierced 2 months after the operation has taken place.
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Why is it important to stay out of the sun during the healing phase?Prolonged exposure to sunlight can cause hyperpigmentation of the the incision lines. Our doctors therefore recommend staying out of direct sunlight for at least one week after the procedure.
What To Expect
The consultation
After you have decided to learn more about earlobe repair, we would recommend a face to face consultation with one our expert earlobe repair surgeons as a first step in your journey towards achieving a full aesthetic earlobe correction. When you meet with one of our surgeons, your surgeon will take time to listen carefully to what you hope to achieve and give you an expert opinion on what can and cannot be achieved after performing a thorough physical examination of the ears.
Your surgeon will also take a number of measurements as part of a detailed facial analysis. Finally high resolution photographs are taken in a number of views of the ears from different angles. Your surgeon will also discuss with you the potential risks and complications of earlobe repair and what to expect in the postoperative phase during your healing and recovery. It is important to know what medicines you taking as some medicines can interfere with blood clotting and may need to be stopped. Any history of medical conditions or previous surgery will also be recorded and all the compiled information is used to make a decision on your medical fitness for the split earlobe repair procedure. After a recommended two week cool off period and provided you are appropriate for the procedure, you can then make an informed decision on whether you would like to proceed with the procedure. If you are unsure on any aspect of the procedure and what it entails then we would invite you to return for as many follow-up consultations with your surgeon as you like to make sure that earlobe surgery is right for you. The consultation lasts about 30 minutes on average. It may take longer if your procedure is going to be more complex. We would actively recommend coming in for a follow-up consultation to ensure all your questions are answered.
Before your procedure
Once you have decided to move forward with earlobe repair surgery. Our preoperative assessment team will be in touch to assess medical fitness prior to coming in on the day of surgery. There are a number of instructions to follow before your procedure including stopping any aspirin containing medicines as these can increase bleeding and ideally stopping smoking. Smokers have a higher risk of slower wound healing as well as more chance of wound complications. On the day of your procedure, you will have a local anaesthetic so there is no requirement to fast beforehand.
On the day of your earlobe repair procedure
When you arrive for your earlobe repair procedure, you should aim to arrive on time to allow the admission process to proceed smoothly. One of our nurses will formally admit you and will check a number of items including making sure you have your postoperative medications. You will have your vital signs measured including blood pressure and heart rate. Finally your surgeon will consent you for the planned procedure followed by a detailed preoperative marking of the earlobes to be treated.
The earlobe repair procedure takes about between 30 minutes to 1 hour to perform and is easily performed under a local anaesthetic with or without oral sedation to make you feel relaxed. The surgeon will first inject the ear lobes with local anaesthetic to make the area fully numb. Incisions will then be made to expose the earlobe for reshaping. The incisions can be located on the front or back of the earlobe depending on the degree of correction required. The surgeon will gently separate the redundant earlobe skin. The earlobe repair technique used in your procedure is dependent on what is to be achieved from the procedure. Once the earlobe has been reshaped, the new position is carefully secured with non-absorbable sutures. There is no need to wear a postoperative support garment. Any scarring from earlobe repair is very minimal.
After the procedure is complete, you will spend time in our recovery suite where you will be prepared for nurse-led discharge once you have met all the discharge criteria. If you had oral sedation, it is important to have a responsible adult to accompany you home and to look after you for the first 24 hours.
After your procedure
Once you are safely at home, you can be assured in having access to our specialist postoperative team round the clock. You will be given a contact number to contact your surgeon in the first 24 hours after surgery if there is any concern. An earlobe repair procedure is associated with very little in the way of postoperative discomfort although some discomfort is common for the first week after surgery. Bruising should start to subside after 7-10 days. You should avoid intense sunlight after the procedure to reduce the risk of pigmentary changes.
Our postoperative team will look to call everyday for the first 2 weeks after your procedure. This is so we can monitor your levels of comfort and can alert your surgeon if there is any concern. Our proactive approach allows the detection of any potential issues early which results in more effective treatment. Heavy exercise should be avoided for at least the first 1 week. Our postoperative clinical team will assess you face to face at your 1 week postoperative appointment to ensure healing is progressing normally and the wounds site are healthy. A wound check is performed at this time to make sure the wound is healing normally. You will be booked for your surgeon follow-up appointment for 6 weeks after your procedure.
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