What is earlobe repair?
Earlobe repair (lobuloplasty) is the minor surgery that repairs and reshapes the earlobe. It corrects a fully split lobe (from an earring being pulled through, or an accident), a piercing hole that has gradually elongated or torn over time, and lobes left stretched or hanging after wearing gauges (dilations). It can also reduce a lobe that has become too large or elongated with age.
It is one of the gentlest procedures in plastic surgery: it is resolved under local anesthesia, on an outpatient basis, with a small incision and a short recovery. It should not be confused with otoplasty, which corrects the shape or position of prominent ears and works on the cartilage; earlobe repair is limited to the lobe, which is soft tissue with no cartilage.
Techniques used by Dr. Arístides Arellano
The technique is defined at the assessment, according to the state of the lobe and the patient goal:
- Repair of a split or torn lobe: the edges of the tear are freshened and closed in layers. When a straight-line suture would leave a notch on the lower border, Dr. Arístides uses a zig-zag closure or a small Z-plasty to preserve the natural rounded contour of the lobe.
- Correction of an elongated hole: the deformed skin tract of the hole is removed and the lobe is reconstructed. Depending on the case, the lobe can be closed completely or the site prepared for a later re-piercing.
- Repair of stretched lobes (gauges / dilations): the excess skin edges of the dilation tunnel are excised and a lobe of proportionate size and shape is reconstructed. The result depends on how far the lobe was stretched; with very large dilations the goal is a natural-looking lobe, not necessarily identical to the original.
- Lobe reduction: for large or elongated lobes —often from aging or years of heavy earrings— a portion of tissue is removed to achieve a smaller lobe, proportionate to the rest of the ear.
- Unilateral or bilateral repair: a single lobe or both can be treated in the same operation, aiming for symmetry between the two.
How is it performed?
Earlobe repair is performed under local anesthesia, on an outpatient basis, and usually lasts approximately 30 to 60 minutes depending on whether one or both lobes are treated and on the complexity of the correction. The patient stays awake and comfortable and walks out the same day. A few sutures are removed at around 7 to 10 days. When the patient wishes to wear earrings again, the new piercing is placed —in a slightly different position from the scar— generally after 6 to 8 weeks, once the tissue has healed well.
All surgery carries risk and requires a prior medical assessment. Results may vary according to each patient, their anatomy and their individual healing process.
Who is a good candidate?
A candidate for earlobe repair presents one of these situations and is in good general health:
- A fully split lobe, typically from an earring being pulled through or an accident.
- A piercing hole that is elongated, torn or "slotted" from the weight of earrings or the passage of time.
- Stretched or hanging lobes from gauges (dilations) that the patient wishes to close.
- A large or elongated lobe that the patient wishes to reduce so it looks proportionate.
- A wish to wear earrings again in a lobe that no longer allows it in its current state.
- Realistic expectations: a scar —fine and well placed— will remain, and the goal is a natural-looking lobe. In patients with a history of keloids, this is reviewed in detail at the assessment.
Recommended post-surgical treatments
As this is minor surgery, care focuses on the scar: Dr. Arístides may advise local cleansing, sun protection and, once the wound is closed, silicone gel or sheeting to encourage a more discreet scar. In patients prone to keloids, specific scar follow-up may be recommended. See the full guide: Post-surgical recovery and care.
Before and after
Most patients want to see before-and-after photographs before deciding. Out of respect for each person’s privacy, Dr. Arístides Arellano shows real cases —always with documented consent— during your in-person consultation, where you can review results from patients with a starting point similar to yours. Results may vary from patient to patient.
Approximate price
Earlobe repair is a minor surgery whose cost is defined at the assessment, because it depends on whether one or both lobes are repaired, the type of correction (split lobe, elongated hole, dilation or reduction) and the complexity of the case; that is why no fixed figure is published. Approximate price — the definitive cost is set at your private consultation with Dr. Arístides Arellano. Consulta la lista de precios.
About Dr. Arístides Arellano
Dr. Arístides Arellano is a plastic surgeon holding a specialty licence: he practises under a Mexican medical licence (D.G.P. 1125959) and a specialty licence in Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery (0002008), both issued by the Directorate General of Professions (DGP), which reissued his certificate of professional standing in 2025. His career began before Mexico’s present-day specialty-board system existed: he belongs to the founding generation of plastic surgery in Puebla, the second generation of a surgical tradition started in 1971 by Dr. Francisco Arellano Ocampo. Trust is verified, not promised: both licences are public and anyone can look them up in the DGP’s National Registry of Professionals.
Related patient guide
Before deciding where to have surgery, even a minor one: How to choose a plastic surgeon in Puebla — part of the informational guide series reviewed by Dr. Arístides Arellano.
Trust is verified, not promised. All 210 scanned documents —degree, licences, diplomas, publications and certificates, from 1977 to 2025— are open in Dr. Arístides Arellano’s credential archive, alongside an explanation of the difference between a specialty licence and a board certification.
Recovery · step by step
- Day of surgeryOutpatient procedure under local anesthesia; the patient walks out the same day with a small dressing on the lobe.
- Days 1–3Mild discomfort managed with simple analgesics; minimal swelling. The area is kept clean and dry as directed.
- Days 7–10Suture removal. The scar still looks pink and is in the process of maturing.
- Weeks 6–8With the wound well healed, a new piercing may be considered to wear earrings again.
- Up to 12 monthsThe scar continues to mature and lighten gradually until it becomes more discreet.
Frequently asked questions
How much does earlobe repair cost in Puebla?
The cost is defined at the in-person consultation, because it depends on whether one or both lobes are repaired and on the type of correction (split lobe, elongated hole, dilation or reduction). As minor surgery under local anesthesia, it carries no hospital or anesthetist fees, which makes it more accessible than major surgery.
Does earlobe repair hurt?
Not during surgery: it is done under local anesthesia, so the area is numb and the patient stays comfortable. In the following days there may be mild discomfort, managed with simple analgesics. Results may vary from patient to patient.
Can I wear earrings again after earlobe repair?
Yes, in most cases. The new piercing is placed —in a slightly different position from the scar so as not to weaken it— generally after 6 to 8 weeks, once the tissue has healed well. Dr. Arístides advises the exact timing based on how your lobe heals.
Can a lobe stretched by gauges be closed?
Yes. The excess skin edges of the dilation tunnel are removed and a lobe of proportionate size and shape is reconstructed. The result depends on how far the lobe was stretched; with very large dilations the goal is a natural-looking lobe, reviewed case by case at the assessment.
Does earlobe repair leave a scar?
Yes, all surgery leaves a scar, but on the lobe it is usually fine and well concealed by the closure technique and its location. Post-operative care —sun protection and, where appropriate, silicone— helps it mature discreetly. In people with a history of keloids it is assessed with particular care.
How long is the recovery?
Recovery is short: discomfort is mild and lasts a few days, sutures are removed at around 7 to 10 days, and the scar continues to mature over the following months. It is an outpatient procedure that does not usually require prolonged time off work.
What is the difference between earlobe repair and otoplasty?
Earlobe repair reshapes only the lobe (soft tissue, no cartilage): split lobe, elongated hole, dilations or reduction. Otoplasty corrects the shape or position of prominent ears by working on the cartilage. They are different procedures, though sometimes combined.
Can both lobes be repaired at the same time?
Yes. Both lobes can be treated in the same operation, aiming for symmetry between them, without significantly lengthening recovery. This is defined at your consultation.
Every case is different. Discuss yours in a personal consultation.
Book a consultation on WhatsAppEvery figure published on this site is approximate and is not a quote. Any procedure or treatment first requires a private assessment consultation with Dr. Arístides Arellano —$800 MXN, charged separately— and it is at that consultation that the definitive cost of your case is determined.
Educational content; it does not replace a medical consultation. Results may vary from person to person.