More and more people today are realizing that their decision when they were younger to have their earlobes gauged, often strongly opposed at the time by “wiser” family members, was not a very smart one (long term, at least). Now they want to enlist, find a respectable decent paying job or go to school and they are finding that their “personal expression” is impeding or thwarting their plans and goals (see: Plastic Surgery Treatment for Gauged Earlobes: An Illustrative Case). Their presence is even more problematic in an already difficult labor market.
Fortunately, there is an effective plastic surgery solution to correct the gauged earlobe deformity and the results can be quite outstanding.
There is additional good news in that there is essentially no downtime and the tell-tale signs of the previous presence of gauges become inconspicuous almost immediately.
The following patient of mine well demonstrates this.:
This 27 year old male, who had gauges in for nine years, had been working relatively low paying odd jobs and then finally decided that he needed to get his act together and be more responsible. So, he began making serious plans for the future. This included enlisting in the military where gauged earlobes are prohibited. Consequently, he sought plastic surgery treatment of his earlobe deformities (photo 1).
1.) Gauged right earlobe
2.) 3 weeks postoperatively
He underwent correction and reconstruction of both earlobes in my office just employing local anesthesia and did very well. Virtually no discomfort was experienced postoperatively. The outcome seen at only three weeks (photo 2), which is extremely early in the healing process, reveals normal appearing earlobes with only a faint red line (which will fade over time).
If you have gauged earlobes and are interested in having them repaired or have any questions regarding the procedure, please call my office at 480-451-3000.
Steven H. Turkeltaub, M.D. P.C.
Scottsdale and Phoenix, Arizona