How Soon Can I Get My Gauged Ears Repaired and How Is It Done?

Q:  I have 3/4 inch gauges in my earlobes which were taken out 6 months ago. I would like the holes sewn up so I have normal looking earlobes again. I want this done asap, please contact me soon. Thanx!

A: Thank you for your inquiry. Please send me a picture of your ears so I can see how big the residual holes are. The good news is that gauged earlobes create an excess amount of lobe tissue, making a good reconstruction possible albeit with a few fine line scars. This procedure is very common for me so all arrangements can be made to do the repair as an office procedure under local anesthesia in advance to save you a separate consultation trip.

The earlobe reconstruction takes about an hour to do for both ears. Sutures are placed on both the front and back of the earlobe. Only those on the front of the earlobe need to be removed 7 to 10 days later. (if one is from out of town dissolveable sutures are used on both sides of the earlobe so removal is not necessary) There is no dressing applied and no special wound care other than to apply a little antibiotic ointment. You may shower and wash your hair the very next day. There are no after surgery activity restrictions. Within a few months the earlobe scars fade to a near indiscernible appearance.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana