A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

Double Ear Closure — Conch and Lobe

My old friend Quentin at Kalima (kalima.co.uk) is one of those body modification masters that’s been at it since caveman days, but doesn’t seek out media attention so he flies under most people’s radar. Anyway, he posted this beautifully done ear reconstruction that included the reversal of a large inner conch hole, and the first comment practically had me on the floor laughing — “Was tissue removed from the lobe to repair the conch?”

The picture is misleading because Quentin did the lobe closure and the conch closure at the same time, so both are stitched up. I suppose it’s not a terribly unreasonable assumption if you’re a layperson that doesn’t have much experience with these procedures, but after laughing a bit, I was a little terrified that someone might see this and actually try and do a lobe reversal that way — which would almost certainly result in necrosis (you might as well stick in a piece of hamburger beef for all the good it’ll do). In any case, it’s not a big deal to remove cartilage from the inner conch and then close the skin over the void — in fact, this is quite commonly done by cosmetic surgeons, who often choose the inner conch to harvest cartilage for transplant in rhinoplasty (ie. nose job) procedures!

Click to zoom in and take a close look at how perfectly this turned out.

Comments

6 responses to “Double Ear Closure — Conch and Lobe”

  1. Shannon Larratt Avatar

    Oh and I just want to be clear that I’m not in any way laughing at the person who asked the question — I’m laughing at the idea of cutting off a lobe and sticking it in a conch hole. There’s nothing wrong with asking questions that later turn out to be silly. Better to ask a silly question than to stay in the dark!!!

  2. Shannon Larratt Avatar

    Oh and I just want to be clear that I’m not in any way laughing at the person who asked the question — I’m laughing at the idea of cutting off a lobe and sticking it in a conch hole. There’s nothing wrong with asking questions that later turn out to be silly. Better to ask a silly question than to stay in the dark!!!

  3. Maark Avatar
    Maark

    Quentin is fantastic. I remember when he scalpelled my ear – yeah, it hurt like a bitch but how did it turn out? Excellent. I’ve only seen great things come out of his studio – never merely ‘good’!

    Although there was this one mod that he did on some guy called Gandy, that was kind of balls.

  4. Maark Avatar
    Maark

    Quentin is fantastic. I remember when he scalpelled my ear – yeah, it hurt like a bitch but how did it turn out? Excellent. I’ve only seen great things come out of his studio – never merely ‘good’!

    Although there was this one mod that he did on some guy called Gandy, that was kind of balls.

  5. Sara Alyss Avatar
    Sara Alyss

    I love Quentin. He is just absolutely fantastic. ♥

  6. Sara Alyss Avatar
    Sara Alyss

    I love Quentin. He is just absolutely fantastic. ♥

Latest Tattoo, Piercing, and Body Modification News

  • Tethered in Time
    Some suspensions are planned down to the last detail—others arise suddenly, yet carry just as much meaning. For Kyle and Aly, what began as a spontaneous idea became a deeply symbolic expression of shared history and emotional connection. The number of hooks told a story… Read more: Tethered in Time
  • Held by Hooks, and Each Other
    Facilitators and practitioners—the very people who bring so many suspensions to life—often pour their energy into others, quietly setting aside their own opportunities. Brenton and Brittany are one such example. Traveling all the way from Houston, TX, they came to the Ontario Suspension Convention not… Read more: Held by Hooks, and Each Other
  • When Tongue Piercings Meet Medicine
    In 2010, a German study was published involving subjects with tongue piercings. The tongue piercing was used as part of a device designed to relieve obstructive sleep apnea. Obstructive sleep apnea is a disorder affecting many individuals. Severely affected individuals may suffer from various long-term… Read more: When Tongue Piercings Meet Medicine
  • Suspended, Not Silenced
    There’s something undeniably powerful about watching someone working through the stages of suspension. We all build up ideas about ourselves—what we’re allowed to feel, how much we’re allowed to express, when it’s okay to break. For some, suspension is not about pushing physical limits its… Read more: Suspended, Not Silenced
  • A Nightbird’s Passage
    Some stories take their time, unfolding over decades, through life’s long detours and diversions. But dreams never rest until they’re fully realized. Even after 15 years, Robb knew there was still a suspension experience waiting for him. Something left unfinished, something essential. At the Ontario… Read more: A Nightbird’s Passage
  • What Lifts the Body, Shifts the Soul
    First suspensions are rarely just about the body—they’re a meeting point between the physical and the deeply personal. Stepping into this experience isn’t simply about trying something new, but about stepping outside yourself to a version you had always sensed was waiting. I’ve had a… Read more: What Lifts the Body, Shifts the Soul