Your Questions

Q: Dr. Eppley, my 18 year old son had his ears gauged several years ago to a size of about 2 1/2 inches. I have attached pictures as he is now. I was never for it but what can a parent do. He is now ready to have them fixed. I have Anthem insurance. How much would it cost and do you have payment options?

A: Thank you for sending your son’s picture. I have seen many gauged ears such as your son’s. Such earlobe reconstructions can be done very successfully and a normal sized earlobe, albeit with a fine line scar, canc be achieved as an office procedure done under loca; anesthesia. It would be important that the gauges are removed at least 6 weeks before earlobe reconstruction is done. That will allow the earlobe to shrink somewhat and get a better vascular supply to the remaining rim of earlobe skin for optimal healing after the procedure. These are not procedures covered by insurance since the origin of the problem is a cosmetic alteration not a medical one. The cost range is between $1500 to $2,000 for both earlobe repairs.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana

Q : We have a potential new hire for our company that has about a ¾ inch insert gauged in both ears.  This person regrets having this done and wants to abide by company requirements and have them removed.  How is this done and what does the earlobe look like afterwards. Also, what would the potential cost be to have both earlobes repaired?

A: Gauging of the earlobes creates a central hole surrounded by a thinned out or thin ring of earlobe skin. The size of the gauge determines how thin the ring of earlobe skin is. As long as the gauge is not too big (greater than one inch), the expanded earlobe can be put back together and have about the same size as it was before having the insert. When the insert becomes much bigger, it not only stretches out the earlobe but the tissue becomes much thinner as well. (pressure atrophy) When put back together, the final size of the earlobe will likely be smaller than before.

Earlobe reconstruction is done by cutting out the skin along the central hole, including some of the rim, and putting it back together in the shape of a more normal earlobe.

Like the split earlobe deformity, reconstruction of the gauged earlobe can be done under local anesthesia. This can usually be done in the office which saves a lot of expense when the cost of an operating room and anesthesia is not used. The typical cost of such earlobe surgery is in the range of $750 to $1,000 per ear.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana