Most commonly trauma from heavy or dangling earrings creates a slit in the ear lobe that begins at the point of piercing and continues to the base of the ear lobe. Although split ear lobe repair may be considered by most to be more of a minor cosmetic procedure, we include it here because the information and surgery is so commonly requested.

"Is it painful?" "When can I wash my hair following repair?" "When can I go back to work?" In our Split Ear Lobe FAQs you will find answers to many questions.

As you will see in our before and after photographs, many patients combine split ear lobe repair with other cosmetic procedures such as the contouring of a chin implant or with a facial rejuvenation procedure such as a facelift to eliminate a "saggy neck" or "turkey wattle" to tightening of the jowl area. Others come to discuss neck liposuction and fat injections, which can easily be combined with split earlobe repair. Fat injections can be used in many areas of the face including the smile lines and for lip augmentation.

Once thought a beauty procedure sought by only wealthy women, in today's competitive corporate workplace, cosmetic surgery for men to restore a younger look that more typifies their energy level is on the rise. Men also frequently ask about brow lifts for correction of frown lines between the eyes or blepharoplasty for improvements in bags under the eyes.

Patients also learn about chin implants when they seek information about improving superficial skin wrinkles in the chin area with a chemical peel, laser surgery or similar skin resurfacing procedure. Lip surgery can also be performed in conjunction with a chin implants.

A board certified facial plastic surgeon, trained to perform cosmetic surgery exclusively on faces and necks, knows that his responsibility is to evaluate not only the areas of concern but also the motivation behind the requests. It goes without saying, a cosmetic surgery won't save a failing marriage. Similarly some patients not ready for cosmetic surgery are better served with conservative measures, such as Botox for fine lines and wrinkles or Collagen for crows feet. Patients who educate themselves about facial rejuvenation know when and if the time is right to proceed.

An important first step toward any cosmetic surgery is to have a facial plastic surgeon assess the entire picture before making specific recommendations. At an initial consultation, we will provide a complete head and neck exam including both ears. Skin type, ethnic background, age and general health are important factors influencing the outcome of surgery. Together we may discuss many alternatives before determining if a split ear lobe repair is right for you.

Split ear lobe repair is a safe, effective procedure performed to restore the ear lobe and pierce it again if possible. As with all facial plastic surgery, a thorough health assessment and realistic expectations are prerequisites. Your understanding of instructions and routines is essential to a successful final result.

BEFORE SPLIT EARLOBE REPAIR SURGERY
At the time of your office consultation we will provide all the instructions for you to follow before and after surgery. As you will learn, one of the most important patient commitments we require before we repair a split ear lobe is the agreement that only our physicians will re-pierce the ear once it has been repaired. This is so the new site for your pierced earrings is not located in an area previously weakened by heavy or dangling earrings. To allow the earlobe to heal following repair, we will instruct you on when clip on earrings may be worn until the earlobe is re-pierced.

On the business day prior to the operation we ask you to call to confirm your arrival time for surgery. For patients undergoing split ear lobe repair alone, this can be performed in the office setting with only local (numbing) anesthesia. Upon arrival for your surgery, you will meet with your doctor again to answer any last minute questions prior to the surgery. A split ear lobe repair takes about one hour depending on the anatomy and structure present prior to surgery. If you are having a combination of procedures your surgery will take longer.

PREOPERATIVE SPLIT EARLOBE REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS

AFTER SPLIT EARLOBE REPAIR SURGERY
Following your split ear lobe repair, the nurse will review all instructions you will need for postoperative care. Avoid putting the phone to the affected ear for one week following surgery. Avoid turtlenecks or tight fitting clothing for one week following split ear lobe repair.

When your surgery is complete, you will notice a few steri-strips (little white Band-Aids) that may feel a bit tight because of the swelling. This dressing helps to keep the sutures securely in place. The steri-strips must be kept dry and in place for five to six days following surgery. You will be asked to come to our Lindsay House Office on postoperative day five or six for suture removal. Although your ear lobe is not completely healed at this time, the sutures are removed to prevent permanent suture marks.

The morning of the suture removal, we request that you shower and get the steri-strips wet, which will help loosen the steri-strips for removal at your appointment. Most patients describe suture removal as discomfort rather than pain and do not take pain medication prior to this appointment. However, if you want to take pain medication about an hour prior to suture removal you will need to have someone drive you to this appointment. When sutures are removed, new steri-strips will be placed to reinforce the incision. These new satirists must remain dry and in place for four days. You may then get them wet in the shower before your second postoperative appointment.

POSTOPERATIVE SPLIT EARLOBE REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS

Wound care
Keep dressing dry and intact the evening after surgery and until the morning you return for suture removal. Notify your doctor if the dressings become loose or fall off.

Medications

• Most patients complain of discomfort more than pain. Use pain medication (typically Vicodin/hydrocodone) as directed/as needed. Vicodin contains Tylenol. Do not take additional Tylenol or acetaminophen while taking Vicodin. Do not drive or drink alcohol while taking pain medication. Taking pain medication with food helps minimize nausea sometimes associated with pain medications.
• Start your antibiotic (typically Keflex/cephalexin) when you get home and one at bedtime. It is not uncommon to have a low-grade fever for 24 to 48 hours following surgery.
• Start swelling medication (typically Medrol Dosepak/methyl prednisolone) when you arrive home and again at bedtime. Take with food.
• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) 3000 mg daily for one week following surgery helps promote healing.

Activity
Sleep with head of the bed elevated or use two to three pillows for one week after surgery. Absolutely no bending, lifting or straining. If you have little children, bend at the knees or sit on the floor and let them climb on to your lap. Avoid putting the phone to the affected ear for one week following surgery. Avoid turtlenecks or tight fitting clothing for one week following split ear lobe repair. Patients typically do not need to take time off work other than the time for the surgery. You may wear clip on earrings beginning two weeks after split ear lobe repair.

Always protect your face from the sun. Following surgery, our staff will tell you when it is OK to apply sunscreen, cosmetics or facial creams to the surgical site. Avoid unprotected prolonged sun exposure for three months following split ear lobe repair to prevent pigmentation of incision lines.

Please Remember!
Swelling, bruising and disrupted sleep are very normal postoperative symptoms and will decrease as the healing process occurs.

Final Result
Following split ear lobe repair, it takes time for the swelling to subside and for the skin to heal. At ten days postoperatively, swelling and minimal bruising may be apparent to you but not to many of your coworkers and closest friends.

Final results following any cosmetic surgery are not apparent for one full year. After three months, the changes are ever so subtle, although still important. Being perfectionists about our work, you may tell us you are pleased long before the one-year anniversary. However, we request that you follow-up with us at that time for postoperative photographs and so that we can enjoy your final result.

Please notify the office 244-1000 and ask for our nurse for any concerns. For an emergency, please contact our office or professional answering service at 258-4851. Remember, we are all here to help in any way we can.