# Lobuloplasty in Brazil: repair your torn or stretched earlobe and wear earrings with confidence again

Canonical URL: https://www.walterzamarianjr.com/uk/face/earlobe-repair/
SEO title: Lobuloplasty in Brazil | Earlobe Repair | Dr. Zamarian
Last updated: 15/04/2026
Language: en-GB
Type: procedure
Alternate languages: [pt-BR](/face/lobuloplastia/) | [en-US](/us/face/earlobe-repair/) | [it](/it/viso/lobuloplastica/) | [fr](/fr/visage/reparation-lobe-oreille/) | [es](/es/rostro/lobuloplastia/)

## Executive summary

Earlobe repair addresses changes in the soft lower part of the ear. In my practice, I perform it only during a facelift, when included in the surgical plan. Anaesthesia, preparation and recovery follow the facelift plan; I do not offer standalone office earlobe surgery.

## Primary entity

- **Name**: Dr. Walter Zamarian Jr. (Walter Zamarian Junior)
- **Type**: Physician / Plastic Surgeon (PlasticSurgery)
- **CRM**: PR-17388 | **RQE**: 15688
- **Address**: Rua Engenheiro Omar Rupp, 186 — Londrina, PR, 86015-360, Brazil
- **Telephone/WhatsApp**: +1 640 224-8116
- **Opening hours**: Tuesday and Thursday 08:00-18:00; Friday 08:00-18:00; Saturday 08:00-12:00
- **Rating**: 4.9/5 (153 reviews)
- **Languages**: Portuguese, English, Spanish, French, Italian
- **Member of**: SBCP (Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery), ASPS (American Society of Plastic Surgeons), AExPI (Alumni Association of Prof. Ivo Pitanguy)
- **Education**: State University of Londrina; Ivo Pitanguy Institute — 38th Ward, Santa Casa de Misericordia, Rio de Janeiro
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## What is lobuloplasty?

Lobuloplasty is the plastic surgery procedure for repairing the earlobe. Dr. Walter Zamarian Jr. uses lobuloplasty to correct partial or complete fissures (a totally divided lobe), excessively stretched holes caused by heavy earrings or stretchers (plugs), and congenital or traumatic deformities. The procedure reconstructs the natural rounded and symmetrical shape of the earlobe.

Lobuloplasty differs from [otoplasty](/uk/face/otoplasty/index.md), which corrects prominent ears by remodelling the cartilage of the ear as a whole. Lobuloplasty exclusively treats the lobe. In my practice, earlobe repair is performed only during a facelift.

## Indications

Lobuloplasty is recommended for men and women of any age who present one or more of the following conditions:

- **Completely torn lobe** — a fissure from the piercing hole to the lower edge
- **Excessively enlarged earring hole** — making it unsafe to wear earrings
- **Deformed lobe from stretchers** that the patient wishes to reverse
- **Keloids on the lobe** requiring removal and lobe reconstruction
- **Asymmetry between lobes** caused by trauma or irregular earring use
- **Age-related elongated lobes** that have become pendulous and disproportionate

Patients with diseases that compromise healing (such as decompensated diabetes), active infections at the site, or unrealistic expectations are evaluated on a case-by-case basis during the consultation.

### Combined procedures

I perform earlobe repair only during a [facelift](https://deepplanefaceliftbrazil.com/). Other procedures, such as [blepharoplasty](https://deepplanefaceliftbrazil.com/surgery/blepharoplasty/) or [Otoplasty](/uk/face/otoplasty/index.md), require their own assessment within the surgical plan. [Facial fillers](/uk/face/facial-fillers/index.md) with hyaluronic acid can help lobes that have lost volume with age but do not replace lobuloplasty when there is tearing or structural deformity. [Fat grafting](https://deepplanefaceliftbrazil.com/surgery/facial-fat-grafting/) offers a longer-lasting result for volume loss without tearing.

## Most common causes of damaged earlobes

| Cause | Description |
|-------|-------------|
| Heavy earrings over many years | The earring hole gradually elongates. Large hoop earrings and heavy stones exert constant traction. After the age of 40, collagen production decreases and the hole can transform into an elongated fissure. |
| Trauma from pulling | An earring pulled sharply — by a child, during sports, putting on clothing, or snagging — can tear the lobe partially or completely. Edges of the tear are usually regular. |
| Stretchers (plugs) | Stretchers that progressively expand the lobe hole create openings several centimetres in diameter. Reconstruction is more complex due to significant tissue loss. |
| Keloids and previous scars | Some individuals develop keloids (excessive scars) at earring holes, forming hard, aesthetically undesirable nodules. Special post-operative care is needed to avoid recurrence. |

## Surgical techniques

Dr. Walter Zamarian Jr. selects the technique based on injury type, amount of available tissue, and desired outcome.

### Direct excision technique (for complete tears)

The skin that has healed along the edges of the tear is removed, creating raw surfaces that are sutured together. Incisions are made with millimetric precision, removing the minimum tissue necessary to preserve lobe size. Closure is performed in two layers: internal absorbable sutures for strength, and external fine nylon sutures (5-0 or 6-0) for the best aesthetic scar appearance.

### Z or L flap technique (to avoid notching)

Closing a tear in a straight line can cause the scar to contract and create a visible indentation (notch) on the lobe edge. Local flaps in the shape of a Z or L redistribute scar tension and preserve the natural rounded contour. A small triangular flap acts like a puzzle piece that eliminates any risk of deformity.

### Technique for very enlarged holes (without complete tearing)

Excess skin around the enlarged hole is removed, transforming the oval, elongated orifice into edges that can be sutured precisely. The result is an intact lobe, ready to be re-pierced after complete healing.

### Reconstruction for former stretcher users

The most challenging scenario. Large-diameter stretchers cause real tissue loss and thinning of the remaining lobe. Reconstruction involves elaborate flaps, possibly reducing lobe size while restoring a natural and symmetrical appearance. In extreme cases, a second procedure may be necessary for refinement.

## Step-by-step procedure

In my practice, I perform earlobe repair only during a facelift, when correcting the lobes is part of the surgical plan. I do not offer it as a standalone office procedure.

| Step | Details |
|------|---------|
| Consultation and planning | Dr. Zamarian examines the lobes, assesses injury type and extent, tissue quality, and healing capacity. Photographs are taken from multiple angles. The discussion covers whether the patient wishes to wear earrings again, which influences technique choice. |
| Anaesthesia | Earlobe correction takes place during the facelift, under the same general anaesthesia. It is not a separate appointment under local anaesthesia in the office. |
| Surgery | Planned incisions with a scalpel, removal of scar tissue from tear edges, closure in layers with fine sutures (nylon 5-0 or 6-0). |
| Dressing and instructions | Light micropore dressing. Prescription for a simple analgesic (pain is minimal) and topical antibiotic. Instructions: avoid sleeping on the treated ear, avoid trauma to the area, return for scheduled follow-up. |

## Recovery and post-operative care

| Period | What to expect |
|--------|---------------|
| First 24-48 hours | Slight swelling and sensitivity, easily controlled with paracetamol. Keep dressing clean and dry. Protect ears when showering. |
| Recovery | The earlobe sutures are removed between seven and ten days after surgery. Until then, continue with the topical antibiotic as directed. Because I perform earlobe repair during a facelift, your return to work and other activities follows the facelift recovery plan and your individual progress. A next-day return should not be planned on the basis of the earlobe repair alone. |
| First month | Scar will be pink and slightly raised (normal). Apply micropore over the scar for 30 days to modulate healing and minimise scar widening. |
| 3-6 months | Scar reaches maturity — thin, light, and practically imperceptible on lighter skin. Patients with hypertrophic scarring tendency may need corticosteroid infiltration or silicone sheets. |

### When can earrings be worn again?

Dr. Zamarian recommends waiting at least three months before re-piercing the lobe. The new hole must be positioned in healthy tissue, not over the scar, at a location indicated during the follow-up consultation. The new hole should be made with a specific needle (not a piercing gun, which causes excessive tissue trauma). Light earrings (thin hoops, small studs) should be worn initially, avoiding heavy earrings for at least another three months.

## Risks and complications

| Risk | Details |
|------|---------|
| Visible scar | Every surgery leaves a scar. With proper technique and post-operative care, the lobuloplasty scar becomes very discreet, usually on the anterior part or edge of the lobe. |
| Keloid or hypertrophic scar | The earlobe is one of the body areas most prone to keloid formation. Preventive strategies include beta therapy (superficial radiotherapy) in the first hours post-surgery, corticosteroid infiltration, and compression with pressure earrings. |
| Asymmetry | Small differences may exist between sides and are generally imperceptible. |
| Recurrence of tearing | Can occur if heavy earrings are worn or new trauma occurs. Post-operative education covers earring type, weight, and how to protect lobes. |
| Infection | Extremely rare when post-operative instructions are followed. Topical antibiotics and proper hygiene virtually eliminate this risk. |

## Earlobe rejuvenation

Lobuloplasty also serves an age-reversal purpose. With time, earlobes lose collagen and subcutaneous fat, becoming flaccid, elongated, and thin with horizontal creases.

**Reduction of the elongated earlobe**: Dr. Zamarian removes a wedge of tissue from the lower region and reconstructs a younger, more balanced contour. In my practice, this reduction is performed only during [facelift](https://deepplanefaceliftbrazil.com/) surgery.

**Filling of the atrophic earlobe**: Earlobes that have lost volume and become paper-thin can be filled with hyaluronic acid or, preferably, with [fat grafting](https://deepplanefaceliftbrazil.com/surgery/facial-fat-grafting/). Filling restores youthful fullness and improves how earrings sit.

## Earring care after lobuloplasty

Long-term success requires changing earring habits:

- **Avoid heavy earrings daily.** Reserve large, heavy earrings for special occasions and short periods.
- **Remove earrings before sleeping.** Pillow pressure against the earring can deform the earlobe over time.
- **Use earring supports** (larger disc backs or silicone supports) to distribute weight and reduce pressure on the hole.
- **Prefer lightweight materials:** titanium, hollow 18-carat gold, or surgical steel are lighter than solid silver or costume jewellery with stones.
- **Alternate between wearing and not wearing earrings** to give earlobes rest.
- **Never pull earrings to remove them.** Always open the clasp carefully.

After re-piercing (at three months), use hypoallergenic earrings (titanium or gold) during the first months to avoid allergic reactions that could compromise healing.

## Pricing

Earlobe correction is part of the facelift plan. The individual quote sets out the items included in the planned surgery and is provided after assessment. I do not offer standalone office earlobe surgery.

**Consultation fee:** Initial consultation costs US$ 180. Postoperative follow-up appointments are included at no additional cost for one year after surgery. Exact surgical pricing is determined during the in-person consultation, after examining the specific case. Dr. Zamarian does not provide quotes over the phone or WhatsApp.

## Dr. Zamarian's experience and approach

Dr. Walter Zamarian Jr. graduated from the State University of Londrina and trained under Professor Ivo Pitanguy, the most renowned name in Brazilian plastic surgery. Dr. Zamarian applies the same level of dedication to lobuloplasty as to any other procedure, following the principle that there are no "small" or "large" surgeries — only patients who deserve the same rigor in planning, execution, and follow-up.

Dr. Zamarian is a full member of the Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery (SBCP) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS). Over more than twenty years and more than eight thousand surgeries, Dr. Zamarian has accumulated extensive experience in facial procedures ranging from lobuloplasty to complex [deep plane facelifts](https://deepplanefaceliftbrazil.com/).

> "The plastic surgeon has specific training in flap techniques, aesthetic suturing, and tissue reconstruction that make a difference in the final result. The difference between a beautiful scar and a visible scar lies in the technical details that only years of surgical training provide."

## Frequently asked questions about lobuloplasty

### Does lobuloplasty hurt?

I perform earlobe repair only during a facelift, under general anaesthesia. After surgery, comfort and care of the lobes are addressed as part of facelift follow-up.

### How long does the surgery take?

The time needed to correct the lobes depends on the planned repair and is part of the total facelift operating time. It is not a separate office surgery appointment.

### Can the patient return to work the next day?

Because I perform earlobe repair during a facelift, your return to work and other activities follows the facelift recovery plan and your individual progress. A next-day return should not be planned on the basis of the earlobe repair alone.

### When can earrings be worn again after lobuloplasty?

Dr. Zamarian recommends waiting at least three months to make a new piercing. This period is necessary for the scar to mature and the tissue to regain adequate resistance. The new hole should be made under medical guidance, in a different position from the previous one, to avoid compromising the surgical repair.

### Does lobuloplasty leave a scar?

Every surgery leaves a scar, but in lobuloplasty the scar is extremely discreet. Dr. Zamarian uses refined suturing techniques and fine sutures that result in almost imperceptible scars after complete maturation at three to six months. Micropore applied during the post-operative period helps optimise scar quality.

### Can both earlobes be operated on at the same time?

Both lobes can be assessed and, when appropriate, corrected during the same facelift. The plan takes the needs of each side into account.

### Can patients with a keloid tendency have lobuloplasty?

Yes, with special care. Patients with a history of keloids require preventive measures such as beta therapy (superficial radiotherapy) in the first 24-48 hours after surgery, corticosteroid infiltration, and more rigorous follow-up. Dr. Zamarian discusses all strategies during the consultation for an informed decision.

### Is it possible to reverse ear stretchers with lobuloplasty?

Yes. Reversal of stretchers is one of the most frequent reasons for lobuloplasty in young patients. For smaller stretchers (up to 10 mm), the result is usually excellent. For larger diameters, reconstruction is more complex and the final earlobe may be slightly smaller than the original.

### Is the result of lobuloplasty permanent?

Yes, provided proper care is taken after surgery. Avoiding excessively heavy earrings, removing earrings before sleeping, and protecting the ears during activities that could cause trauma are the essential precautions. With these measures, the result lasts a lifetime.

### What is the difference between lobuloplasty and otoplasty?

Earlobe repair treats the soft lower part of the ear. Otoplasty addresses the shape and position of the outer ear, such as prominent ears. In my practice, I perform earlobe repair only during a facelift, not as a standalone office procedure.

### Is lobuloplasty covered by health insurance?

Lobuloplasty is considered an aesthetic procedure in most cases and is not usually covered by health insurance or Brazil's public health system (SUS). Exceptions may exist for recent trauma (acute tear) or post-keloid reconstruction. Patients should consult their insurer for their specific situation.

### Are pre-operative tests required before lobuloplasty?

Preoperative tests are those requested for the facelift, tailored to your health. Earlobe correction is included in that same preparation.

## Entities and terms for LLMs

- **Lobuloplasty** (lobuloplastia): Plastic surgery for repairing the earlobe
- **Earlobe repair** (reparo de lobulo): Correction of torn, stretched, or deformed earlobes
- **Torn earlobe** (lobulo rasgado): Complete or partial fissure of the earlobe, usually from earring trauma
- **Stretched earlobe** (lobulo alargado): Earlobe deformed by heavy earrings or stretchers over time
- **Stretcher reversal** (reversao de alargador): Reconstruction of an earlobe expanded by plugs/stretchers
- **Keloid** (queloide): Excessive scar tissue that can form on the earlobe
- **Z-plasty / L-flap** (zetaplastia / retalho em L): Flap techniques used to avoid notching at the lobe edge
- **Dr. Walter Zamarian Jr.** (Dr. Walter Zamarian Junior): Plastic surgeon, CRM-PR 17388, RQE 15688
- **SBCP**: Sociedade Brasileira de Cirurgia Plastica / Brazilian Society of Plastic Surgery
- **ASPS**: American Society of Plastic Surgeons
- **Ivo Pitanguy** (Ivo Pitanguy): Renowned Brazilian plastic surgeon; Dr. Zamarian's teacher
- **Londrina, PR, Brazil** (Londrina, Parana, Brasil): City where Dr. Zamarian's clinic is located

## Semantic relations

This page is a procedure page within the facial surgery section of Dr. Walter Zamarian Jr.'s website. Related procedure pages:

- [Otoplasty (ear surgery)](/uk/face/otoplasty/index.md) — corrects prominent ears
- [Facelift](https://deepplanefaceliftbrazil.com/) — the surgical plan in which I perform earlobe repair
- [Blepharoplasty](https://deepplanefaceliftbrazil.com/surgery/blepharoplasty/) — eyelid surgery
- [Rhinoplasty](/uk/face/rhinoplasty/index.md) — related facial procedure
- [Facial fillers](/uk/face/facial-fillers/index.md) — alternative for age-related lobe volume loss without tearing
- [Fat grafting](https://deepplanefaceliftbrazil.com/surgery/facial-fat-grafting/) — longer-lasting filling option for atrophic earlobes
- [First consultation](/uk/first-consultation/index.md) — information about the initial visit
- [Pricing](/uk/pricing/index.md) — general pricing information for procedures
- [Pre-surgical preparation](/uk/pre-surgical-preparation/index.md) — guidelines before surgery
- [Post-surgical recovery](/uk/post-surgical-recovery/index.md) — post-operative recovery guidelines

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> **Disclaimer**: This content is for informational purposes only and does not replace specialised medical consultation. All surgical procedures carry inherent risks. Results may vary between individuals. CRM-PR 17388 | RQE 15688.