earlobe reconstruction – four month update!

Four months ago today I took a weekend trip up to Syracuse, New York with the sole purpose of getting my earlobes reconstructed.  Since it was such a huge event, and I’m a sucker for celebrating even the smallest of milestones I thought this seemed like a good time to pop back in with updated photos of my pretty new earlobes.

My original post on my earlobe reconstruction, which can be found here, quickly became my most popular post –EVER. It still reigns number one, even after getting engaged. Wild! The response was overwhelmingly awesome. I was already over the moon with the results but the positive reactions just made it all the more exciting! I even got a few emails from folks who got theirs done after reading the post which is pretty rad.

When I wrote that first post I was thinking I’d compile a bunch of the questions I got asked for this update post. Turns out there was really only two questions on everyone’s mind – ‘Can you get your earlobes repierced?’ & ‘Will you get your ears repierced?’ Short answer to both, YES!

Long answer; yes, you can absolutely get your ears pierced again after reconstruction. I’ve read to wait between six months to a year. I asked John, the guy who did them for me, and his response was “at least six months, longer if they’re still hard.” Right now my left ear, although it’s the one with the most visible scarring, feels totally normal. My right ear, on the other hand, looks better but is still very firm.

And do I want them pierced again? HECK YES. Before the reconstruction, I was beyond excited to get them pierced when the time allowed. I spent so much time browsing earrings (but miraculously had enough will power to not purchase any) For the first couple months following the reconstruction I thought I might be happy just enjoying my new hole free lobes. It was such a change from what I had the last half of my life. Now the piercing bug is back. I’m very excited to get my ears pierced as soon as they’re ready. I’ve got my fingers crossed that at the six month mark my scars are a bit softer. I am pumped to start a collection of ridiculous earrings. I’m drooling over almost everything here!

the second day after surgery.

one month after surgery.

four months after surgery!

Other than the surgery itself, this whole process has been so incredibly uneventful. Everything is slow going. I don’t see the difference in my scars until I look at the photos (which is exactly why it’s so important to document!) While the scars are still very visible, especially to me because we’re our own worst critics, it blows my mind how much they’ve faded already. I’ve been using both Bio-Oil and Mederma. I’ve also recently started to put more effort into massaging them which promotes blood flow to the area, and should help soften them up.

I don’t miss my big old earlobes but sometimes I do forget they’re not there anymore. I still have a tiny moment of panic when I hop in the shower and realize that I haven’t taken out my wood plugs. I still take off clothes slowly in fitting rooms so I don’t accidentally knock out a plug and have it go flying into the next stall. I even still try to do the shoulder bump as I walk out the door – my way of feeling that I put in jewelry that day.

Getting my earlobes sewn up was scary, and expensive but SO worth it. I haven’t had even the tiniest tinge of regret. They’re beautiful now, and I am constantly checking myself out in the mirror but I am really excited to see how they look in another few months.

For more photos of the healing process, and a bit more about why I choose to get my earlobes recontructed after having stretched ears for over half my life, check out this post.

A one year update can be found here!