Is EarWell Surgery painful?

Not at all! The best thing about the EarWell treatment is that it’s non-invasive and acts more like a molding device than an intrusive treatment. We care about your child’s comfort so we will always discuss what you’ve been observing during your experience with the treatment and make adjustments when needed.

How many appointments will I need?

Most infant ear deformities are corrected with 3 sets of ear cradles throughout treatment. The length of time your infant will wear the EarWell System will depend on the amount of correction required, but most treatments are completed within 4-6 weeks.

How long until I see results?

You can expect results to show within four to six weeks but this may vary depending on how your child responds to the treatment. After completion, you should also expect to see Dr. Papanicolaou a few more times so that he can verify your child is healing correctly.

What are the risks associated with EarWell Surgery?

As a non-surgical procedure, there’s no downtime or recovery time necessary after EarWell, and any potential risks or side effects are very minimal and should heal on their own. These reactions can include: Irritation in the area the device is applied to Low-grade infections Potential need for correction later in life If your child does experience any discomfort or concerning reactions, please contact our office immediately.

Earwell Surgery In Orlando, FL | Soma Plastic Surgery

Young girl with ponytails showing her ears and smiling | Earwell Surgery in Orlando

Introduction

Introduction to EarWell Surgery

Almost ⅓ of babies are born with an ear deformity, and while some are temporary, resolving as the child grows, other patients may not improve without the proper treatment. Since it is unknown if and when an ear deformity needs corrective surgery, it’s important to discuss treatment options as early as possible. Choosing EarWell at Soma Plastic Surgery in Lake Mary, FL when your child is younger, may prevent a surgical procedure later in life. To learn more about this non-surgical infant ear deformity correction device, keep reading the information provided below.

What is EarWell Surgery?

Otoplasty (to pin back ears) can be done on young children. It is best to do it as your child’s ears are almost done developing, around four to six years old, but it can be done on teens and adults too. Otoplasty is an outpatient procedure, meaning that your child will be able to go home on the same day as surgery.

The EarWell® Infant Ear Correction System is the first and most advanced nonsurgical infant ear deformity molding device. A majority of baby ear deformities are the result of ear position while inside the uterus. It is not uncommon for newborns to have temporarily folded misshapen ears. The EarWell can be applied to a child’s ears within days after birth.

Treatment must be started by 3 months of age to ensure full correction. EarWell requires no anesthesia, sedation, or medication because it causes no pain. It is non-surgical and non-invasive.

Misshapen ears can be classified as a deformity (no missing tissue) or a true malformation (some degree of missing skin and/or cartilage). A majority of ear deformities are the result of ear position while inside the uterus. These deformities may include:

Anotia
Conchal crus
Constricted ear, lop ear, and cup ear
Cryptotia ear deformity
Ear lidding deformity
Microtia
Protruding ear
Stahl’s ear

These deformities can be complicated, especially if they’re not treated at an early age. Going beyond cosmetic, ear deformities can affect hearing loss, physical and emotional developmental delays, and other life-effecting side effects. Studies suggest that children with facial abnormalities – particularly ear deformities – suffer peer hazing, ridicule, and abuse, resulting in low self-esteem, anxiety, social isolation, and emotional withdrawal.

What are the Benefits of EarWell Surgery?

If you feel that your baby may have an ear deformity, we encourage you to contact Soma Plastic Surgery and schedule your consultation with Dr. Papanicolaou. It is important to get your children evaluated as soon as possible so the EarWell is effective, but we suggest before they’re three months old.

Our team wants to help your child live their best life, so even if they are “too old” for the EarWell

Who are the Best Candidates for EarWell Surgery procedure?

Many of our Orlando and Lake Mary, FL parents choose EarWell for their child when they notice an ear deformity to effectively remodel the child’s ear. EarWell can be used to improve the following ear deformities in infants:

Prominent ears or ears that stick out
Stahl’s ear that points or consists of extra cartilage
Cup ear that is folded over
Other abnormalities involving the cartilage

Choosing EarWell for your child at a young age can prevent the need for a surgical procedure later on in life. In infants, the ears are soft and easily molded, allowing for more success with early intervention. The EarWell system is most successful for infants three weeks and younger.

Toddler holding his hand to his ear and smiling | Earwell Surgery in Orlando

What’s the First Step?

If you are concerned about the formation of your child’s ears, your first step is to schedule your EarWell consultation with Dr. George Papanicolaou. When you bring your child in, he will evaluate their ears and determine the best techniques to correct any deformities. Once he has a better understanding of your child’s needs, Dr. Papanicolaou will create a treatment plan and we will fit your baby’s ears with an appropriately sized EarWell shell. We will also provide you with instructions on how to handle all aspects of the headgear.

What to Expect on the Day of Otoplasty Surgery

On the day of your Otoplasty, you will begin in the pre-operative area, where you will meet the nursing and anesthesiology staff who will take care of you or your child during your procedure. Dr. Papanicolaou will also meet with you and your family before the procedure so that he may review the procedure with you, and discuss any last-minute questions you may have.

The patient will then be administered anesthesia so the procedure can be performed as efficiently as possible. Depending on what is discussed during your consultation, your anesthesia could be local, general, or intravenous sedation. If you have any specific questions, Dr. Papanicolaou will be happy to answer them during your consultation.

After the procedure is performed, you or your child will be taken to the recovery room. An ear dressing will be in place that may be removed the next day at your post-operative visit or at home by you. All otoplasty procedures are performed as outpatient surgery, and you will be sent home with detailed post-operative instructions and pain medication. We will call you on the night of surgery to ensure that you are doing well and to answer any questions.

Cost

How Much

How Much Does EarWell Surgery Cost in Orlando?

The cost of EarWell Surgery in Orlando will vary on numerous factors, but the best way to find out how much it will be for your child is to come in and meet with Dr. Papanicolaou. After evaluating your baby’s ears, he will be able to give you a better estimate of how much the treatment will cost you.

While EarWell® is covered by many insurance companies, please discuss it with your provider before coming in so there are no surprises.

Soma

Why Choose Us?

Why Choose Dr. Papanicolaou?

Dr. George Papanicolaou cares deeply about his patient’s aesthetic goals and uses his artistic skills and abilities to create natural-looking and successful results, and this goes double for his child patients. Dr. Papanicolaou is well-known for his compassionate and caring approach to patient care, so when you bring in your child for the EarWell treatment, you can rest assured that he takes your child’s future features into the highest consideration. Dr. Papanicolaou is double board-certified with The American Board of Surgery (ABS) and The American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS).

Photo of Soma Plastic Surgery office building

Schedule Your Consultation

If your baby has an ear deformity and is young enough to qualify for EarWell® treatment, Soma Plastic Surgery wants to help! We are offering EarWell treatments for our patients in Lake Mary and the surrounding Orlando area, so if you’d like to schedule a consultation for your child, please call Soma Plastic Surgery today or use our website to request an appointment with Dr. Papanicolaou.

Earwell Surgery FAQs

Not at all! The best thing about the EarWell treatment is that it’s non-invasive and acts more like a molding device than an intrusive treatment. We care about your child’s comfort so we will always discuss what you’ve been observing during your experience with the treatment and make adjustments when needed.
As a non-surgical procedure, there’s no downtime or recovery time necessary after EarWell, and any potential risks or side effects are very minimal and should heal on their own. These reactions can include:
- Irritation in the area the device is applied to
- Low-grade infections
- Potential need for correction later in life
If your child does experience any discomfort or concerning reactions, please contact our office immediately.

TestimonialsWhat our patients
have to say

Eve F.

Dr Papanicolaou is the best! Very knowledgable and caring! So glad I found him! I definitely recommend putting your trust in him. Awesome office staff. They make you feel like family. Cant say enough good things about the whole staff.

C.V. Fig

Dr. Papanicolaou is the BEST Plastic Surgeon in Central Florida. He is smart, caring and honest.. I have been his patient for over two yrs. His staff is available, responsive and accommodating. They treat you like family. I feel very fortunate and grateful that I found Dr. Papanicolaou. He helped me during a very difficult process.

Yamile K.

Dr. Papanicolaou exceeded my expectations, he is a master at his craft, the entire process was relatively painless, his nurses are amazing, so caring. Also the Florida surgical center was great, they treated me like a princess. Overall I cannot be happier with my experience, I highly recommend Soma Plastic surgery.

Sheila O.

Dr. Papanicalou and staff are exceptional. The process was smooth from beginning to end and I am so pleased with the results. Very natural and as close to perfect as possible. I highly recommend Dr. Papanicalou!

Swandra W.

Dr. P and all of the staff are wonderful. They were amazing to me at the most vulnerable time in my life. I am thankful to have such caring, thoughtful, skilled, knowledgeable and talented human beings to reconstruct the damage that cancer caused. Forever grateful.

See all reviews

Schedule a consultation
committed to extraordinary care

Schedule Consultation

Earwell Surgery in Orlando