Tribal Earlobe Repair FAQs

A stretched earlobe is when the lobe has been purposely stretched using various ear taper tools and plugs to create an enlarged appearance.

Our surgeons are very experienced and are able to successfully repair all sizes of stretched tribal earlobes. Click here to book a consultation to see how we can help.

Topical numbing cream will have been applied to your earlobes and local anaesthetic is then injected into the lobe.

At this point your ear should become completely numb and your ear will be wiped down and sterile drapes will be placed around the area to keep it clean.

The technique used for stretched earlobes will depend on the on the shape and size of the earlobe but in most cases a section of tissue will be removed and the open ends will be stitched back together with absorbable stitches and a small bandage will be applied.

Your surgeon will then start to repair your other ear if you are having both sides treated.

The cost of a Stretched / Tribal Earlobe Repair Surgery starts from £1,260 (unilateral) to approximately £2,340 (bilateral) these prices can vary according to the degree of correction required.

We also offer Split Earlobe Repair which you can find out more about here.

We don’t follow a one-price-fits-all policy and prices are quoted on a case by case basis. You will be given an accurate quote for your requirements following your consultation.

Consultations with our plastic surgeons are £100 at our clinics in London Harley Street, Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton.

We also offer consultations with our highly experienced Patient Coordinators which require a £25 refundable deposit to secure your place. These are available in Birmingham, Leeds, Manchester and Northampton.

Patient coordinators are able to offer you all the information you require prior to meeting a surgeon.

Please note all consultations available at our Harley Street clinic are with a surgeon.

The Private Clinic has clinics nationwide so we are sure to have an expert earlobe repair surgeon located near to you.

Our clinics:

Where can I get stretched earlobe repair in London?

London – 98 Harley street, W1G7HZ

Where can I get stretched earlobe repair in Manchester?

Manchester – 25 St John Street, M3 4DT

Where can I get stretched earlobe repair in Birmingham?

Birmingham – 88 Hagley Road, B16 8LU – West Midlands

Where can I get tribal earlobe repair in Leeds?

Leeds – 45 Park Square North, LS1 2NP – Yorkshire

Where can I get tribal earlobe repair in Northampton?

Northampton – 82 Billing Road, NN1 5DF – East Midlands

To find out more about booking a consultation at a clinic near you, contact us here.

If you had ear stretchers and they were below 10mm the hole in your ear may naturally constrict back to a smaller size. If the hole is over 10mm then the hole will gradually shrink over time, but not enough so that it would not be noticeable and you will then require surgery to repair it.

We usually estimate 15-20 minutes of surgery per ear. This will vary depending on how big the ear is stretched and what technique is being used.

We carry out most tribal earlobe repair procedures under local anaesthetic. The procedure itself is very quick and we will ensure that you are not in any pain throughout the procedure. If you are feeling anxious about surgery then a sedative could also be used but general anaesthetic is not normally used.

You should not be in any pain during tribal earlobe repair surgery as both a topical numbing cream and a local anaesthetic will have been administered to the area being treated.

Post-surgery, you may start to feel a little discomfort as the anaesthetic wears off. This can be managed with pain relief such as paracetamol.

Whilst you should be okay to drive following your procedure if it took place under local anaesthetic, we do recommend that you refrain from driving for 24 hours.

This is because everyone reacts differently to local anaesthetic and it does still have side effects for at least 24 hours.

We ask that patients arrange for a friend or family member to drive them home.

The results from tribal earlobe repair surgery are permanent so unless you decide to stretch your ear again, they should not return to how they looked pre-surgery.

It is possible to pierce or stretch your ears again after tribal earlobe repair but for the best results we do advise that you refrain from stretching the earlobe again.

A standard ear piercing avoiding the scar would be fine once the earlobe has fully healed after 6 months but try to refrain from stretching the lobe again as it will be weaker and more prone to splitting.

Most patients return to work the following day after their tribal earlobe repair procedure. If you work in a dusty environment or have a particularly strenuous job then it may be advised that you take a couple of days off to allow for the earlobe to heal. It is worth noting that your stitches may still be visible for up to a week post-procedure so additional time off may be required if you work in a cosmetically sensitive job.

You will be able to get back to your exercise routine 1-3 days after your surgery.

We advise patients to wait at least 48 hours to reduce the risk of bleeding and pain in the area treated.

You should also take care if you are involved in contact sports and ensure that your ears are protected and not at risk of being rubbed for at least 6 weeks post-procedure.

You will be able to wash your hair 24 hours after stretched earlobe repair surgery. We recommend that you try to avoid the earlobe getting excessively wet and that you gently pat dry the area afterwards. Full aftercare advice will be provided to you on the day of your surgery.

It can take up to 4-6 weeks for the stitches to absorb and the wounds from tribal earlobe repair surgery to heal.

At The Private Clinic we use absorbable stitches in earlobe repair surgery. The absorbable sutures begin to naturally dissolve after 1-2 weeks. If you notice visible stitches after two weeks, then you may need to book a post-op appointment to get them removed.

All surgical procedures unfortunately cause a scar. Tribal earlobe repair creates a thin linear scar on your earlobe. Initially, this scar may appear red but this should gradually fade over time and in most cases become unnoticeable.  Our surgeons will be able to advise you on scar care post-procedure to help you achieve the best results.

As with any surgical procedures, there are always risks but tribal earlobe repair is a very safe procedure. Common complications include poor scaring and infection.

These will all be discussed in detail during your consultation to ensure you make an informed decision to proceed with surgery or not.

We are offering free tribal ear correction phone or video consultations.

These consultations are with our experienced patient coordinators who will provide information on the procedure and the best tribal ear correction surgeon to suit your requirements.

To secure the timed appointment we will ask you to pay a £25 refundable deposit. This is refunded once the consultation takes place. You can change your appointment time up to 48 hours before.

Contact us to book a free phone or video consultation.