My ears are streached to a 6 gauge... They hurt alittle.. I know the local piercer will streach you 2 gauges at a time but thats the most you can get done at once.. I did mine myself with tapers.... Positive Vibes... No once they get to big they will almost never shrink completly back.. My boyfriend had 1" plugs and has not had anything in them for over 2 years and still has a hole almost 1/2" in his ears....