Ear surgery and earlobe repair in Vancouver, WA
Dr. Ersilia Anghel repairs torn, stretched or gauged earlobes, removes keloid scars, and performs otoplasty to reshape or set back prominent ears, for adults and children.
- Procedure types
- Earlobe repair and reduction, keloid removal, ear pinning
- Incisions
- On the earlobe; in the crease behind the ear
- Social downtime
- Earlobes: about 1 week. Otoplasty: 7 to 10 days
- Final result
- Healing complete at about 1 year
What ear surgery does
Earlobe repair and reduction fix torn, split or stretched lobes, including damage from heavy earrings, gauges or an injury. They are short procedures done in the office under local anesthesia (numbing medicine).
Otoplasty reshapes, repositions or reduces the ears so they sit in balance with the face. Ears reach about 85% of adult size by age five, so otoplasty suits both children and adults. Dr. Anghel places the incision in the natural crease behind the ear.
What it improves
- Torn, split or gauged earlobes
- Large, long or sagging earlobes
- Keloid scars on the ear
- Ears that stick out or differ in shape
Who it suits
- Adults and children from about age five
- Children who can follow aftercare, such as wearing a headband
- Patients bothered by the shape, size or position of their ears
- Anyone with a torn or stretched earlobe
Ear surgery results
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Real patients. Results vary. A consultation is required.
Types of ear surgery
Earlobe repair and earlobe reduction
For torn, stretched or large earlobes.
For earlobes that are torn, split, stretched by heavy earrings or gauges, or damaged by an injury, and for earlobes that are naturally large or long. Dr. Anghel repairs the earlobe into a natural shape, or reduces its size. Both are done in the office under local anesthesia, and stitches come out at one week.
Earlobe rejuvenation
For thin or sagging earlobes.
For earlobes that have thinned, sagged or wrinkled with age, so earrings tilt or droop. Dr. Anghel restores a fuller, firmer-looking lobe with filler, fat grafting or an earlobe reduction, depending on the earlobe. It is done in the office.
Keloid removal
For raised scars after piercing.
A keloid is a raised, firm scar that grows beyond the original wound, often after an ear piercing. Dr. Anghel removes it and closes the area carefully. Keloids can come back, so after surgery she gives a steroid injection once a month for three months, and you wear pressure earrings to help keep the scar flat.
Ear pinning (otoplasty)
For ears that stick out.
Through an incision in the crease behind the ear, Dr. Anghel reshapes the cartilage, usually by creating the natural fold that is missing, and sets the ear closer to the head with permanent internal stitches.
Ear reduction
For ears that are large for the face.
Reduces the overall size of the ear while keeping its natural shape and proportion.
Ear asymmetry and congenital differences
For ears that differ in shape or position.
For ears that differ in size, shape, position or how far they stick out, or that formed differently from birth, such as cupped, lop or Stahl's ear. The goal is ears that look balanced, not identical.
What recovery looks like
After earlobe repair, stitches come out at one week and most people return to normal activity then. After otoplasty, you wear a soft headband all the time for the first week, then at night for another 4 to 6 weeks. Most patients manage discomfort with over-the-counter medicine.
- Day 2 to 3Swelling peaks.
- 1 weekEarlobe stitches come out. Otoplasty headband worn all the time.
- 7 to 10 daysMost otoplasty patients return to work or school.
- 2 weeksSwelling and bruising mostly settled.
- 5 to 7 weeksNight-time headband no longer needed after otoplasty.
- 1 yearHealing is complete. Scars fade to thin white lines.
In their words
“Dr. Ersilia Anghel is an exceptional plastic surgeon, and I couldn’t be happier with my experience. I came to her for treatment of keloids on my ear, something I had been self-conscious about for a long time, and from the very first appointment she made me feel comfortable, heard, and confident in the treatment plan. Dr. Anghel is incredibly knowledgeable…”
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“Dr. Ersilia Anghel is an exceptional plastic surgeon, and I couldn’t be happier with my experience. I came to her for treatment of keloids on my ear, something I had been self-conscious about for a long time, and from the very first appointment she made me feel comfortable, heard, and confident in the treatment plan. Dr. Anghel is incredibly knowledgeable and thorough. She took the time to explain my options, set realistic expectations, and answer every question I had. The procedure and follow-up care were handled with such precision and care, and the results have been better than I expected. My ear looks and feels so much better, and the keloids have significantly improved.”
“I cannot recommend Dr. Anghel enough! I came to her to repair an ear that had been pierced incorrectly when I was a child and from the very first consultation, she made me feel completely at ease. She is incredibly caring and takes time to truly listen, ensuring that all concerns are addressed with patience and understanding. I would absolutely trust her…”
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“I cannot recommend Dr. Anghel enough! I came to her to repair an ear that had been pierced incorrectly when I was a child and from the very first consultation, she made me feel completely at ease. She is incredibly caring and takes time to truly listen, ensuring that all concerns are addressed with patience and understanding. I would absolutely trust her again and highly recommend to anyone seeking thoughtful, high-quality care.”
“Amazing work! The procedure was quick and painless, the recovery was also very easy. My ears look great!”
46 five-star Google reviews across all procedures · Read them on Google
Ear surgery cost in Vancouver and Portland
Your exact price depends on your plan, which is set at your consultation.
Every price includes
- Surgeon fee
- Facility fee
- Anesthesia fee
Keloid removal and earlobe rejuvenation are priced at your consultation.
See all pricesPatient financing
Pay over time with Cherry or PatientFi, two patient financing services. Each lender sets its own approval and terms. Ask about financing at your consultation.
Ear surgery questions
Who is a good candidate for ear surgery?
Children from about age five and adults who are bothered by the shape, size or position of their ears, or by a torn or stretched earlobe. Children should be able to follow aftercare instructions, such as wearing the headband.
Is ear surgery done in the office?
Earlobe repair, earlobe reduction and earlobe rejuvenation are done in the office under local anesthesia (numbing medicine). Otoplasty is done in the operating room.
What is recovery like?
After earlobe repair, stitches come out at one week and most people return to normal activity then. After otoplasty, most people return to work or school within 7 to 10 days. You wear a soft headband all the time for the first week, then at night for another 4 to 6 weeks.
When can I wear earrings again?
Earlobes can usually be re-pierced after several months of healing. Dr. Anghel will tell you when your earlobe is ready.
Can a keloid come back?
It can. To lower the chance, Dr. Anghel gives a steroid injection once a month for three months after removal, and you wear pressure earrings.
Where are the scars?
For otoplasty, in the crease behind the ear. For earlobe repair, on the earlobe itself, where they fade to thin lines.
What are the risks?
Bleeding, infection, delayed healing, scarring including thick (keloid) scars, asymmetry, the ear moving back toward its old position, and the need for revision surgery.
Procedures to pair with ear surgery
Injectables
Filler for earlobe rejuvenation
Facial fat grafting
Adds volume with your own fat
Facelift & neck lift
Facelift and neck lift
Reconstruction after skin cancer
Repair after skin cancer on the ear
Reviewed by Dr. Ersilia Anghel, MD
Double board-certified in Plastic Surgery and Facial Plastic Surgery · Fellowship-trained · Vancouver, WA
Updated October 2026 · About Dr. Anghel