I gauged my ears from an 18 to a 0 relatively fast...compared to what I originally thought I was going to use as a timeline.
I love being at a 0 gauge. It's a lot bigger than a 2. I think it looks cooler.
I also think if you have a job (if you work, if not, cool--i understand some people dont or can't) that allows for larger gauging it makes it 10x more cool. No point in gauging your ears huge if it'll ruin your interview hopes. :/ (I think it is wrong of employers to judge based on ear gauges, but you know they will.)
After you stretch it to a 0 it could DEFINITELY stretch back if you wanted to--it could probably even close up all the way. My fiance had a 2 gauge hole in his earlobe, and right below that a 13/16 gauge. (bigger than 3/4 of an inch) He just decided to take the jewelry out of the larger size on the bottom and it has nearly closed all the way now. So don't you listen to that "it won't heal" stuff. It can.
Actually, stretching your ear down a size every so often helps maintain its elasticity. Then you can stretch it up larger with noticeably less pain (that's what I did). I would wear 2g double flared plugs and those stretch your ear out to a 0 when you first put them in, and then the middle is a size 2. When I went to a 0 it hurt a good bit less than it might have if I hadn't done that. Weighted barbells work just as well, I think, but I choose not to wear those. (I prefer the girly, diamond stuff or brightly colored UV acrylics.)
I think it is badass that you are older than teen years and have chosen to gauge your ears, and continue to gauge them. I wish you could talk to my mom about it--she thinks it is "destroying" your body. When she first saw my 6's, she said, "You were so beautiful--what did you do???"
Clearly, I still think I look pretty good. Well, I don't think gauging my ears takes away from my looks, anyway.
So I would encourage you to go to whatever size you feel comfortable, and, most importantly, YOU like. Hopefully there will be a time soon when we won't have to include the "Don't forget about what your boss wants!" part. :/
Nice gauges. :] :]
Shellie