BEFORE & AFTER PHOTOS
*DISCLAIMER: This site contains graphic & surgical images that may be disturbing to some viewers.
This site is intended for individuals over the age of 18.
**Please note that none of the images posted throughout this site have been enhanced or photoshopped.
Torn Earlobes:
Can my enlarged ear piercing holes be corrected? I have torn the ear lobe?
Over time and with the use of heavy ear rings, the holes for the original ear piercing can enlarge.
This may cause a deformity in the ear lobe, or the earrings may sit asymmetrically or the earrings may not even stay in the holes.
Some patients have very large holes created by rings designed to enlarge the ear piercing holes.
If a hooped earring gets pulled firmly, the ear piercing hole can be torn all the way through the ear lobe leaving a cleft lobe after it heals.
My earlobes are too big. Can I have them made smaller?
The earlobe size can be reduced and the earlobe shape adjusted.
Is this surgery covered by AHS (Alberta Health Services)?
The ear lobe procedures are not covered by AHS.
How is this repaired?
The repair of a torn cleft ear lobe, a wide earhole piercing, large ear lobes or abnormal scarring is done under local anaesthetic.
The hole or the cleft is repaired and the hole is completely removed.
At 6 weeks after the repair, the patient can re-pierce the lobe.
The new piercing should not be made in the old scar from the repair because the scar will easily tear again.
Patients with very large holes, who no longer wish to have this style of earring, can have the ear lobe reconstructed and the large hole completely removed under local anaesthesia.
This procedure is done under local anesthetic and takes under one hour.
There will be stitches that must be removed in 5-6 days after surgery.
There is no down time.
THE RISKS:
What are the risks of doing an Otoplasty/Earlobe repair procedure?
With any surgery there are surgical and anesthetic risks.
Aside from the rare risks of an anesthetic event, some of the general and specific surgical risks for this procedure would include:
Scarring
Infection of the incision
Swelling and bruising- this is very minimal
Sensation changes to the ear for up to 6 weeks
Discomfort
Time off school for children and work for adults
Bleeding (hematoma)
Asymmetry
This list is not complete.
**During the consultation with the patient, Dr. Giuffre will outline and explain each of the risks in detail.
THE FOLLOWUP:
How often do I need to come back for a checkup after the surgery?
Postoperative visits include:
1 week visit
6 week visit
If there are any patient concerns, Dr. Giuffre provides his home phone number for patient's direct access.
After the 6 week visit, if there are any future requests for an appointment, they are made directly with Dr. Giuffre office and an expedited visit is arranged.