How is Aesthetic Ear Surgery Performed
One of many surgical techniques may be suggested to improve the appearance of your ear(s). The particular technique Dr. Barrera recommends will depend on the nature of the problem and many other factors including your desires. Because of individual factors, not everyone will achieve the same results from ear surgery. Dr. Barrera will select the surgical technique that he feels will obtain the best outcome for you.
What are the Common Types of Earlobe Repair Surgery?
Earlobe reduction is just one of the common procedures performed on the ears. Additional types of repair include:
- Torn earlobe repair
- Stretched/gauged earlobe repair
- Earlobe repair revision
- Repair of scars from gauging or piercing
Does Earlobe Surgery Hurt?
Your earlobe procedure may be performed using a local anesthetic. Because earlobe repair and reduction surgeries usually take only 10 to 30 minutes, there’s no need for general anesthesia or even sedation. Local anesthesia is injected into the earlobe using a tiny needle. You can expect to feel a minor pinching sensation. Within moments, your earlobe will be numb and you’ll feel nothing but the sensation of the doctor’s hands moving near your head as he carefully revises tissue to restore a natural-looking earlobe.
What Can I Expect During Recovery from Earlobe Surgery?
Your earlobes will be sore or achy after having your repair or reduction procedure. You may take prescription pain medication for a couple of days. Conversely, the discomfort may be easily managed with over-the-counter medication, which works with no side effects. There will be sutures that you can see and feel, and your earlobes may look bruised or swollen for up to two weeks. That said, you may feel well enough to return to work the day following your procedure. You may do so provided that your job is not physically demanding. Strenuous activity will need to be avoided for about three weeks post-operatively.
What Do I Do if I Experience an Earlobe Injury?
It’s important to know what to do in the event of a traumatic earlobe injury. Prompt repair is optimal because the earlobes do not have the same amount of circulation as other parts of the body. The limited blood supply to the earlobes can inhibit efficient healing. For this reason, it is ideal to cover the injured earlobe with a clean piece of gauze or other clean cloth. You may apply a cold compress to control inflammation but should not apply ice to the earlobe. Doing so could restrict what little blood flow there is. Depending on the time of day the injury occurs, you can either contact our office directly or go to the nearest emergency room.
Can’t I Just Get Dermal Fillers for My Long Earlobes?
You may have heard that some providers “repair” stretched or elongated earlobes by injecting dermal fillers into precise areas of this part of the body. Dermal fillers work by depositing tiny particles of hyaluronic acid into superficial tissue. This naturally-occurring acid plumps tissue by holding water molecules. While this non-surgical treatment may reduce indented scars and give more shape to the earlobes, one drawback is that injections must be repeated as often as every year to maintain the desired shape. Dermal fillers are also cosmetic. They do not repair issues like severe sagging, tears, or other concerns.