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We recommend all individuals over 12 years of age wear a face mask when attending our practice in person, but no longer provide masks for patient use. Videoconsultations are conducted via our dedicated virtual clinic to maximise patient and staff safety. Long consultations and our See and Treat service remain adjusted under our COVIDsafe plan to include the use of telehealth to reduce face to face time. We require that all patients provide a referral prior to booking an appointment. We are currently booking routine, non-urgent new patient appointments eight months ahead, and as such we recommend that patients with suspicious skin lesions (not biopsy proven skin cancers) seek biopsy and/or treatment from a provider with a shorter waiting list. Dr Tomlinson will cease to offer consultations and surgical services where a Medicare Rebatable Item Code does not apply from 1 July 2023. This includes cosmetic surgery, adult otoplasty, injections for palmar hyperhidrosis and labiaplasty. If you are eligible to get vaccinated and/or boosted, please do so. 

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Ear gauge repair

Written by Dr Jill Tomlinson on .

magnifiedearEar gauging has become increasingly common in recent years - and with the rise in ear gauging there has been a rise in the number of people seeking surgery to restore the normal appearance of their ears once they remove the piercings.

How is the surgery done?

The procedure can be done under local anaesthetic, or under local anaesthetic with sedation, or under full general anaesthetic. Most people opt to have the procedure performed in our rooms under local anaesthetic. Incisions are placed to allow the contour of the earlobe to be restored to a smooth and natural appearance. The type of incision varies according to how large the hole in your earlobe is; often a complex zig-zag pattern is used to prevent a notch developing on the earlobe as the scar matures, and to reduce the likelihood of the earlobe tearing along a weak point if there is a traumatic injury to the lobe in the future.

What is the recovery period?

It is advisable to take it easy for 24-48 hours after surgery to reduce the amount of bruising and swelling that can result after any skin surgery. Most people find that their ears are not especially sore after the local anaesthetic wears off, although if you have both ears repaired simultaneously you may find that you experience discomfort at night when you accidentally lie on your earlobes. Taking simple pain medications and avoiding direct pressure on the earlobes are helpful ways to minimise your discomfort.

What can go wrong?

Any incision site can get infected, although this is uncommon. Initially your scars will be pink but as they heal they will fade. If you have a predisposition to forming troublesome scars then special attention to scar management will help you to minimise visible scarring. 

Where can I find out more information?

If you are interested in ear gauge repair please contact us to arrange an appointment to discuss the procedure. If you are interested in streamlining your treatment and obtaining a fee estimate prior to your initial consultation you may wish to consider our "See & Treat" service. While we generally do not compile before and after photographs, there are two examples at our Facebook Page - here and here.  

To schedule an appointment to see Dr Tomlinson about ear gauge repair please phone (03) 9427 9596.

Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.
Before proceeding you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.

Website Disclaimer

This website is authored by Dr Jillian Tomlinson, a fully qualified plastic, reconstructive and hand surgeon who practices in Melbourne, Australia. This website aims to inform patients and health professionals about hand surgery, illness prevention and the practice philosophy of Dr Jill Tomlinson. This website's content is designed to complement, not replace, the relationship between a patient and his/her own doctor. The information is not intended to replace the advice of a health professional. This website does not host or receive funding from advertising or from the display of commercial content.