At the time you decided to have your earlobes gauged, it seemed like a great idea. Maybe you just wanted to look different than most everyone else and this was a statement of your individuality. Perhaps it was done as a sign of rebelliousness and disdain for authority. Or, maybe it just made you look cool.
Whatever the reason was then, you probably didn’t consider the long term consequences of your action. Now you may be looking for a respectable job but many businesses won’t hire you because of your “statement” – unless you are applying at Starbucks. If you are considering enlisting in the military – forget it. They straight up won’t take you as long as you are walking around with holes in your earlobes.
What can you do?
Fortunately, gauged earlobes of essentially every possible degree of distortion and stretching can be reconstructed using meticulous plastic surgery techniques that both close the hole and provide a reasonable appearance. The following patient of mine illustrates both a fairly typical initial deformity and the outcome that can be achieved though plastic surgery.
This is a 29 year old male who had gauges in his earlobes for a year and a half and now needed to remove them and have the resulting holes closed (Figures A, C and E).
A.) Gauged right earlobe
B.) Right earlobe after surgery
C.) Gauged left earlobe
D.) Left earlobe after plastic surgery
E.) Gauged left earlobe
F.) Left earlobe after plastic surgery
His reconstruction was performed in the office with just local anesthesia, an approach that he found to be quite comfortable. Employing precise plastic surgical techniques under magnification, the earlobes were able to be reconstituted to an appearance that looked normal again (Figures B, D and F – which are 3 months post surgery). Needless to say, he was extremely happy and grateful with the results.
If you have any questions on the treatment of gauged earlobes or on any other plastic surgery procedure that I perform or to schedule a consultation with me, please call my office at 480-451-3000.
Steven H. Turkeltaub, M.D. P.C.
Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona