Gauged Earlobes

There are many reasons why people elected to gauge their earlobes. Regardless, at the time it seemed like just the right thing to do. However, sometime later on, many people have either regretted their decision or are forced by circumstances to remove their gauges and undo the associated tell-tale signs of their earlobes. The military and most employers forbid earlobe gauges as well as the remnant earlobe deformity. If you want a well paying job or even to get into a good school, wearing gauges places you at a significant disadvantage.

Gauged earlobes can present with a multitude of deformities and degrees of severity which are directly influenced by several factors including the gauge diameter, rate of stretching and even the initial earlobe size. Some earlobes are extremely thinned out by the stretching, appearing almost ribbon like; others are completely torn through, presenting as two bizarre strands of hanging tissue.

Persistent residual deformity after permanent removal of gauge

Split earlobe deformity that was caused by a large gauge

The reconstruction and transformation of deformed, thinned and elongated gauged earlobes into more normal appearing ones can be quite challenging, requiring painstaking tissue rearrangement and meticulous contouring of the remnant tissues performed under magnification for precision. This procedure is performed by Dr. Turkeltaub in the office under local anesthesia.

There is usually minimal discomfort afterwards and no down time as regards most activities. Sutures are removed at around one week. Most of the swelling will have subsided within a few months.

Gauged right earlobe before surgery

Reconstructed gauged right earlobe