Ears
Ear Surgery & Earlobe Repair
Chicago earlobe repair and otoplasty specialist. Torn, stretched, and gauged earlobe repair — plus prominent ear correction for children and adults. Same-day outpatient care.
Earlobe Repair & Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) in Chicago
Dr. Lemelman is a leading Chicago earlobe repair specialist, offering in-office repair of torn, stretched, split, and gauged earlobes under local anesthesia. Whether from heavy earrings, trauma, or intentional stretching, earlobe repair is a quick procedure with minimal downtime — patients return home the same day and can re-pierce after healing. Dr. Lemelman's practice at One Plastic Surgery in Lakeview, Chicago is a destination for patients seeking expert earlobe repair throughout the Chicago metro area.
Otoplasty is a surgical procedure that corrects prominent or protruding ears by reshaping the cartilage and repositioning the ears closer to the head. It is one of the most confidence-building procedures in plastic surgery, particularly for children who may face teasing or self-consciousness about their ears. Dr. Lemelman performs otoplasty for both children (typically age 5 and older) and adults.
Otoplasty is performed as an outpatient procedure — under general anesthesia for children and local anesthesia with sedation for adults. Patients return home the same day. Dr. Lemelman serves patients from Chicago, Lakeview, Lincoln Park, Evanston, Oak Park, and the greater Chicago area.
Benefits
- Repairs torn, stretched, split, and gauged earlobes
- Quick in-office earlobe repair under local anesthesia
- Allows re-piercing after earlobe repair
- Corrects prominent or protruding ears (otoplasty)
- Builds confidence in children and adults
- Same-day outpatient procedure
- Incisions hidden behind the ear
- Permanent results
Recovery & What to Expect
Earlobe repair time
30–45 minutes
Otoplasty time
1–2 hours
Anesthesia
Local (earlobe) / General or sedation (otoplasty)
Return to school/work
5–7 days (otoplasty)
Earlobe repair downtime
Minimal — same day return
Re-piercing after earlobe repair
3–6 months post-healing
Frequently Asked Questions
How does earlobe repair work in Chicago?
Earlobe repair is performed in-office at One Plastic Surgery in Lakeview, Chicago under local anesthesia. The torn, stretched, or gauged tissue is carefully excised and sutured to restore a natural earlobe contour. The procedure takes 30–45 minutes and patients return home the same day. Re-piercing is possible after the earlobe has fully healed, typically 3–6 months later.
Can gauged or stretched earlobes be repaired?
Yes — Dr. Lemelman regularly repairs earlobes that have been stretched or gauged. The excess tissue is removed and the earlobe is reconstructed to a natural size and shape. Results are permanent, and re-piercing is possible after healing.
What age is appropriate for otoplasty in children?
Otoplasty is typically recommended once the ear cartilage has reached adult size, usually around age 5–6. However, many kids aren't ready yet at this age to understand or care for their ear after surgery. For this reason, Dr. Lemelman recommends waiting until the child is aged 7–8. Every child is met with respect and understanding, because the most perfect result performed for the wrong reasons is the wrong surgery. Performing the procedure before school age has often been promoted to prevent teasing and self-consciousness. Dr. Lemelman has a bit of a different philosophy and will be happy to speak to you about this. For older kids or adults, there's no upper age limit — adults of any age can benefit from the confidence that otoplasty can offer.
Will the ears look natural after otoplasty?
Yes. Dr. Lemelman's goal is to create ears that look natural and proportionate — not "pinned back" or artificial. The ears are repositioned to sit closer to the head while preserving the natural contours and folds of the ear cartilage.
Are the results of otoplasty permanent?
Yes — otoplasty produces permanent results. The cartilage is reshaped and secured in its new position, and the ears will remain in their corrected position long-term. Revision surgery is rarely needed.
Ready to take the next step?
Every journey begins with a conversation. Book your personal consultation with Dr. Lemelman directly.