Ear Gauge Repair
How is the surgery done?
Most people choose to have the procedure performed in our rooms under local anaesthetic. The procedure can be done under local anaesthetic, or under local anaesthetic with sedation, or under full general anaesthetic.
Incisions are placed to allow the contour of the earlobe to be restored, aiming for a smooth and natural appearance.
The incision pattern varies according to how large the hole in your earlobe is; often a complex or zig-zag pattern is used to prevent a notch developing on the earlobe as the scar matures, and to reduce the likelihood of the earlobe tearing along a weak point if there is an injury to the lobe in the future.
Recovery period
It is advisable to take it easy for 24-48 hours after surgery to reduce the amount of bruising and swelling that can result after any skin surgery. Most people find that their ears are not especially sore after the local anaesthetic wears off, although if you have both ears repaired simultaneously you may find that you experience discomfort at night when you accidentally lie on your earlobes. Taking simple pain medications and avoiding direct pressure on the earlobes are helpful ways to minimise your discomfort.
What can go wrong?
Any incision site can get infected, although this is uncommon.
Initially your scars will be pink or brown but as they heal they will fade.
If you have a predisposition to forming troublesome scars then special attention to scar management will help you to minimise visible scarring.
Where can I find out more?
If you are interested in ear gauge repair please contact us to arrange an appointment to discuss the procedure with Dr Tomlinson. This is often done via videoconsultation.
If you would like to streamline your treatment and obtain a fee estimate prior to your initial consultation you may wish to consider our “See & Treat” service. While we generally do not compile before and after photographs, there are two examples at our Facebook Page – here and here.
Disclaimer: Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.
Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.