Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) Questions and Answers

Question:

Thanks for answering my first question I appreciate it. I did not know that x-rays were not used (except for broken bone)for the surgery. My cousin just had a rhinoplasty (right now has his cast on) and saw a personal website from a board certified plastic surgeon giving the positions of shots taken for a rhinoplasty.It had: 1.Full frontal with the head directly at the camera. 2.Left and Right direct Lateral(side views with the ear pointing straight towards the camera). 3.Left and Right oblique views(side views with the tip of the nose lined up with the edge of the cheek). 4.Chin up view(from front view with chin tilted up until the tip of nose lines up between the eyebrows). When my cousin compared this to the photographed shots taken by his surgeon he became worried. His surgeon took 3 of the shots the same but did not take left and right oblique views. Did the plastic surgeon mess up? My cousin had his nose broken by the plastic surgeon to straighten it and had his tip raised just a little bit because it was droopy. The surgeon awkwardly asked for x-rays when nothing was broken.My cousins plastic surgeon is from Mexico. He is from "EL Consejo Mexicano de Cirugia Plastica, Estetica y Reconstructiva",I think is the main board for plastic surgeons in Mexico which I think might be like the American Board of Plastic Surgery in the U.S. The answer to this question is important to me because I am also thinking about getting a rhinoplasty and will learn from his experience whether good or bad. Sorry that the question is so long.Thanks

Answer:

The shots taken before surgery should be appropriate for the procedure. If there is no work being done on the nasal tip, oblique views or the head tilted back view may be omitted. The photographs bear little reflection on the surgery. There are many excellent surgeons trained in Mexico. The surgeon should be a member of the ASPRS (American Society of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons) or a member of ASAPS (the American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons) even if trained elsewhere. Hope this helps.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

This is concerning my mother that lives in PA, I live in Nashville. My question and worry is, she had a back operation in Sept. to fuse some vertabra's ( sorry about the spelling), she came out of the operation with flying colors and felt better than ever for a long time. Two weeks after the operation she got very ill, an infection of some sort set in. She was deathly sick. The doctors did another operation to clean the area of the first operation. Since this second operation she has gone down hill and can't recover. She has lost her motor skills, can't walk without an aid and a walker, her memory has gone, she shakes uncontrolably. No one has identified the infection or at least that is what they are saying. They have her on a durogesic patch (75mg) I am looking for answers to why and how could she go from the first operation and being healthy to losing all control and her mind from the second. Is it the patch? Is it damage of the spinal cord or something in that area? Please help with any advice you can offer. Thanks, Gary

Answer:

Dear Gary, Sorry to hear this. It is possible if she is losing her motor skills that the surgery could have caused some damage. I would suggest an MRI of the area. the patch i am unsure but many mental problems may occur from medications. Memory loss may be one of them. Ask your pharmacist. He will definitely know. I would take your mom quickly to another neurosurgeon not an orthopedist. Once again sorry. Unfortunately i do not have the privelege to see her chart. Dr. Sambursky

Question:

I would like to know if there is corrective surgery for slack vaginal muscles after childbirth (8 years ago) I have tried everything else and am too embarrassed to ask my doctor any more questions. My husband has very little sexual pleasure because of this problem. I really need help with this frustrating problem please help.

Answer:

Yes, there are tightening procedures which can be performed. Usually, in your case, there is a combination of muscle laxity and vaginal wall loss of turgor. The muscle laxity is usually repaired with sutures which actually tighten the supporting structures and the vaginal wall is resurfaced with a CO2 laser which not only gives a new surface but also tightens the inner mucosal lining. I would suggest that you look on the internet for futher information on the subject. There are few of us who perform this type of sexual enhancement surgery.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

Hi! I am 22 years old ,have a -4 vision on both eyes and wish to perform a lasik eye surgery.What are the chances that problems may occur after the surgery? will i have a permanent 6/6 vision?

Answer:

Major problems are rare. Minor ones occur but are usually managed without longterm problems. Some problems can be permanent.

Question:

I have used contact for 30 years, before that I was wearing glasses starte at 9 year old. Now I wear contact -9.50 and glasses with 2 points higher and can see. I want to have this surgery so I can only wear contacts.. I don't think I could be corrected enough to not wear them. But don't know where to begin. So guess that is my question.

Answer:

Dear Georgina, You are within the range that can usually be corrected with Laser Vision Correction. You should find the doctor in your area with the best reputation --not the lowest price -- for a consultation. Andrew Caster, MD

Question:

I have had breast augment 3 times,my most recent in Oct 2000. The last time was for capsular contracture. My question is..why can I not have breasts that are soft and move normally? They are always tight(even now). My docs say it's because of developed chest muscules. I also have a wide chest bone and am told that's why i don't have a lot of clevage. I was a B cup prior to my 1st surgery, not flat. Do I have any hope of haveing the chest I want??? FYI, I have seen several plastic surgens in the Dallas area prior my 3rd surgery.

Answer:

Dear Angela, The reason you cannot have the breasts that you want, truthfully, is because of the currently available implants. These saline filled bags do not act like normal breast tissue. Because of this, it sounds as though your surgeons placed the implants beneath the chest muscle. This does not allow them to be placed centrally due to the width of the breast bone and chest muscles. They could be placed above the muscles but, when this is done, ripples are often seen over the implants. Better implants are on the way but they will all be prone to capsular contracture as you have experienced. There is no good solution at present.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

I am near-sighted, and I was wondering if laser eye surgury is for me.

Answer:

Laser eye surgery treats nearsightedness. To determine if it may be for you, you need to see a specialist for a consultation. Andrew Caster, MD

Question:

When me and my husband make love my secretion has an odor to it. It never was like that before i had my hysterectomy.I am a 32 years old woman. It has been 1 year since my surgery. Should this be checked by a doctor. I do not have a odor other than when i have intercourse.

Answer:

It sounds like you have a bacterial infection in your vagina. You should see your doctor.

Question:

I have been told I have Cauda Equine Syndrome, and surg. has been advised.Need more info. on risks etc. thank you in advance

Answer:

Dear Beverly, After 14 years of experience I must say i am not an expert in this syndrome. I have never had any one walk in with this condition since many times it is severe. i am able to diagnose the condition but unfortunately there is not much i can tell you except any surgery pertaining to the central nervous system is serious and i am sure there are risks. good luck and i wish i could help you more.

Question:

I am a 40 year old man. Ten years ago, I had some hair transplants done, but they have turned out ugly: I have a very unnatural hair line, and not enough donor sites to fix the problem. I would like to find out if laser or some other surgery can help get me a "polished" bald look? Can this be done on an outpatient basis? And how should I find the doctors in my area (Central New Jersey) who may perform such a procedure? Thank you in advance!

Answer:

It is possible to reverse the unwanted hair transplants but there will be some residual scarring as a result. To discuss your options with a qualified reconstructive surgeon call the American Society of Plastic Surgeons at 1-800-635-0635.

David Ross, MD
Chicago, IL

Question:

I was diagnosed a couple of days ago with cystocele, rectocele, and prolapsed uterus. (you can actually see it protruding out of my vagina. I am 28 years old. I also have interstitial cystitis and fibromyalgia. I was told that I needed to have my bladder and rectum repaired and my uterus removed. Can you please explain what exactly will be done? Also, what is the name of the surgery?

Answer:

Assuming that you have completed child bearing, you will have a vaginal hysterectomy, anterior and posterior repair. The uterus will be removed through the vagina. The anterior and posteror walls of the vagina will be repaired to prevent the bladder and rectum from protrding into the vagia.

Question:

I'm interested in learning more about eyelift surgery. Is there anything other than surgery to get rid of bags under the eyes? What is the cost of this surgery (both upper lid and lower lid, in North Dakota)? What are the dangers?

Answer:

Not if the bags are severe. There are adjunctive laser procedures which can be done which will tighten the skin and there will be no outward incision mark. This is usually the preferred way of getting rid of bags under the eyes. I don't know the rates in ND. Most places in the world, the procedure costs about $2000. There are dangers to vision, scratching the cornea, hematoma (blood under the skin) bruising and damage to the skin. The most common problem is over-removal of skin and a sag to the lower eyelid after the procedure when it is done without laser. This is called ectropion and is difficult to correct. Go to someone who performs the procedure a lot and preferably with a laser.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

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