Ear lobe stitches are a cosmetic procedure that corrects irregularities in the earlobe. It has a high rate patient satisfaction and low risk. Even though minor complications may occur such as bleeding and swelling they generally disappear within a week. Scarring is rare and usually heals quickly. If it becomes thicker, however, the infection rate is very low. However, a small number of patients may experience partial recurrences that can be easily treated.
Pain after earlobe stitching
The pain is not as severe after the anesthetic has worn off. You can apply ointment on the incision area to minimize discomfort. The sutures can also be cleaned with hydrogen Peroxide or soapy warm water. Your ear should not be submerged. It is important that you limit your bending, lifting and straining after the procedure. Tylenol can also be used to manage pain.
There are many reasons that your earlobe may need to be repaired. Damaged lobes can be due to injury, long-term earrings wear, or trauma. The procedure will restore your earlobes' appearance. The procedure begins with a local injection by the plastic surgeon. The doctor will then trim the affected tissue and stitch it back together. After the procedure is completed, you can drive home.
Recovery time
The recovery time for ear lobe stitching depends on the extent of the procedure, but most patients are able to return home the same day. Postoperative pain can usually be controlled with over-the–counter pain medication. For the first few hours, you may feel some swelling or sensitivity. The swelling will subside and you can resume your normal work routine.
The entire procedure takes about an hour. It is performed in your office. Local anesthesia is used. Based on the patient's requirements, the surgeon will decide the procedure. To make the area look more normal, excess hang skin is removed from each ear. The flaps and sutures are used to close large holes that have been caused by gauges. Split earlobes are brought together with stitches to restore their normal shape. Within a week, the stitches will fall off. Patients may then be allowed to continue wearing their pierced ears.
Cost
Even though ear lobe repairs are cosmetic surgery, they are not covered by most medical insurance. It might cost less than people think depending on what kind of procedure is performed and how much damage was done. Patients are responsible for paying the facility and anesthesia fees in addition to the surgeon's fees.
The cost of earlobe stitching can vary from $400 to $1000 per head depending on how severe the damage is. This is usually an easy office procedure that takes around one hour. After removing any damaged skin, the surgeon will then reposition soft tissues before sewing the earlobes back together with small stitches. The scar will look almost like a pencil-thin after the procedure.
Side effects
You will experience minimal side effects after surgery on your earlobe. The procedure requires local painkillers and involves the removing of excess skin. The incisions are closed with sutures. The entire procedure takes less than an hour. Some minor discomfort and soreness might occur following the procedure. However, these symptoms are usually mild and can often be treated with Tylenol as well as over-the–counter pain medications. After the procedure, the stitches will be removed within one to two weeks. Follow the instructions on post-operative care.
The majority of patients return to work within a few days. While there might be some swelling and bleeding in the area treated, it is usually temporary. This side effect is common and patients usually recover in two to seven days. Patients should restrain from vigorous exercise and limit their activity for seven to ten days after the procedure to reduce the risk of infection.