18 gauge to 16 gauge?

i had my ears pierced on the 10th of may, the girl who pierced my left one missed the dot they put there to aim at and my left ear had to be re pierced on the 12. the posts on the earrings werent long enough and i have chunky ears, the lady who pierced my ears suggested we put 18 gauge circular barbells in my ears. so we did that about one week after piercing. i was pierced with 20 gauge earrings to start with with a sterile piercing gun kit. so if i could put 18 gauge in when there healed will 16 gauge fit? because i cant find any cute ones in 18 gauge.