Ear lobe stitching is a cosmetic surgery to correct irregularities in the earlobe. It has a high rate patient satisfaction and low risk. Minor complications like bleeding or swelling can happen, but these are usually resolved within one week. Although infection rates are very low, scarring can heal well. It may take additional treatment to treat thicker scars. A small percentage will experience partial or complete recurrences but they are easily corrected.
After ear lobe stitching, pain
After the first anesthetic wears out, there is little pain. You can apply ointment on the incision area to minimize discomfort. The sutures can also be cleaned with hydrogen Peroxide or soapy warm water. You should not immerse your ear in water. After the procedure, you should be careful not to bend, lift, or strain your ears. You can also take Tylenol to treat any pain.
There are many reasons why you may need to have an ear lobe repaired. You may have a damaged lobe due to trauma or the long-term use of heavy earrings. The procedure will restore your earlobes' appearance. To begin, your plastic surgeon will inject a local anesthesia into the area. The doctor will then remove damaged tissue and attach the skin. You will be able drive home once the procedure has been completed.
Recovery time
The length of recovery for ear lobe stitches depends on how extensive the procedure was, but most patients return home within the same day. Postoperative pain is usually mild and easily manageable with over-the-counter pain medication. Swelling and some sensitivity will be present for the first few days. You can return to work and your usual activities after that.
The entire procedure is done in the office and takes approximately one hour. Local anesthesia can be used. Based on the patient's requirements, the surgeon will decide the procedure. To make the ears look more normal, excess hanging skin will be removed from the earlobe. You can close large holes made by gauges with flaps, or sutures. Stitches are used to restore the normal shape of split earlobes. The stitches will dissolve within a week. Patients can then go back to wearing the pierced earrings.
Cost
While earlobe repair can be considered cosmetic surgery it is not usually covered under medical insurance. It may still cost less than you think depending on how severe the damage is and what type of procedure was performed. Patients must pay for the facility and anesthesia in addition to the fee charged by the surgeon.
Ear lobe sutures can cost from $400 up to $1000, depending on the severity of the damage. It is usually a simple office procedure that takes about an hour. The surgeon will remove any injured skin and reposition soft tissue. After that, small sutures will be used to stitch the earlobes together. The scarring will be as thin as a pencil after the procedure.
Side effects
You will experience minimal side effects after surgery on your earlobe. This procedure involves the use of local anesthetics and the removal excess skin. To close the incisions, sutures are used. The procedure can take less than an hour. You may feel some minor discomfort or soreness after the procedure. These symptoms can usually be managed with Tylenol, over-the–counter pain relievers, and are generally not serious. After repair, the stitches can be removed in one to two week. Follow the instructions on post-operative care.
The majority of patients return to work within a few days. Although there may be some swelling or bruising around the treated area, this is temporary. Pain medication is often prescribed for this side effect, and most patients recover within two to seven days. To minimize scarring and infection, patients are advised to limit activity and refrain from strenuous exercise for seven to 10 days.