Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) Questions and Answers

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Question:

Help! My mother has just gotten a consultation from a Cosmetic, Plastic/Reconstructive surgeon and at the end of his name instead of MD Or something I recognize there is a DO....Can you please tell me what this means and how I can go about searching for information on him? Thank you Cyndi

Answer:

Dear Cyndi, The DO stands for Docotr of Osteopathy which he obtained rather than an MD or Medical Doctorate degree. DO's are able to go to the same residency programs as MD's are and can, indeed, become plastic surgeons or any other medical specialist. I would suggest that you make certain that he is board-certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery or another American Board of Medical Specialties board. Failing this, you can go to the ASPS or ASAPS web sites for further information.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

help!! I've had chin hair since I was little, but now it's becoming worse and worse. I heard of laser surgery to get rid of this problem, but it seems different doctors are saying different things. Please help since I would really like to get rid of this problem

Answer:

Dear Jennifer, I was on the FDA approval panel for hair removal lasers in the US and can tell you that the news is good. Third generation lasers are able to effectively and permanently remove hair and reduce its growth. Now, skin color is not even a major problem but the hair still needs to be dark - we have not lasers for removing white or blonde hair. I would suggest that you visit with a laser specialist in your area and preferably one with a long-pulsed YAG laser for hair removal. You should be very pleased with the results.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

I am a male of 21, and as long as I can remember, I have had enlarged nipples. This was quite embarassing throughout my teen years, however, now that I'm at the age that I can afford to do something, I want to know what can be done about this? Do I need surgery, or is there some kind of drug that I can take to reduce this? Thank you so much for any info you can give me, hopefully this can turn my life around and make me feel better about myself. Sincerely, Jerod

Answer:

Dear Jerod, That is what plastic surgery is all about. You do not mention if your breast size is larger than normal but I take it that this is mainly a problem with nipples or nipples and areolae (the dark area around the nipples). Both can be reduced very readily with minimal scarring and I would suggest that you visit with a plastic surgeon to explore this relatively common and safe way to improve your self esteem.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

I'm looking into lipusuction for my abdominal area. I've had 3 children, and while I'm back to 125 pounds, my excess skin and stretch marks are as unattractive as a huge pimple on my nose. Are there any surgeons in the Northern part of Alberta or Territories that can help me get rid of this unsightly skin?

Answer:

Dear Skinny, There are surgeons in your area although you may want to travel down to Edmonton or Calgary for those more experienced with cosmetic procedures. From your description, liposuction is not for you. You, rather, would be much better treated with a tummy tuck (abdominoplasty) in order to remove the excess skin, tighten up your tummy muscles and remove the stretch marks. The down side is the scar that would be present. I would suggest a trip to central Alberta (I was born in Calgary) and consultation with a few plastic surgeons in the area before having the surgery done.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

Hey there I'm a 15 year old guy and i got a nose with a deviated septum. I'm planning to get a nose job this summer vacations, but i have a concern. This doctor, who is a very experienced person and a good friend of mom, thinks that i should get the surgery after i'm 18, cuz that way there won't be any trouble with the growth of my bones. (He says that if I get the surgery before 18, i'll continue growing but my nose won't. He says that i'd have a small nose and would look bad) But I found an article in the net that claims that for guys it's ok to get a plastic surgery (nose) after 15. My mom talked to another doctor who said that it was ok to do it at this age; that there was no problem. So, i don't know.. what do you think.. Should i get it now at 15? (i'm turning into 16 this november) Thanks for your time.

Answer:

Dear Alfonso, A little depends upon your development. Have you essentially stopped growing and are now out of puberty? If you started puberty early and are now at 99% of your adult height, your nose, similarly will be about done growing. You will not end up with a small nose in either case since growth is affected little by rhinoplasty. If only your septum is being corrected, I would advise that that could be done at any time.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

Hi. I am a candidate for upper and lower jaw surgery. My lower jaw sits back to far and my upper palete needs to be widened. I am a small framed women. I was wondering if you can give me an idea of what my chances are that a relapse may happen if I have these surgeries? I hear there is a good chance that a relapse will happen after having the lower jaw surgery. Would you be able to give me some more info. on the facts?

Answer:

You should discuss this with the doctor doing your surgery.

Question:

I am a 21 year old male. About a year ago I noticed a bulge in the left part of my scrotum. It is painless. I suspect it is a varicocele becuse the left side of my scrotum feels like a "bag of worms" and there is a reduction in the bulge when I am lying down. My question is does a varicocele reduce the testicile's production of testosterone? I ask this because though I am 21, I still haven't got a full beard - I don't have much facial hair, and my muscular development is also less than others of my age. I am also concerned that the varicocele may make me infertile. Should I have the varicocele examined by a urologist? Is surgery necessary?

Answer:

You absolutely must see a Urologist. What if it's not a varicocele??? After the Urologist diagnoses your "bulge", you can then discuss options with him as to whether or not a varicocele repair is warranted at this time (if it indeed is a varicocele). Dr. Roseff www.reproendo.com

Question:

Are there any types of benign breast diseases/conditions that would require breast tissue removal? If so, have people with any of those such conditions had breast implant surgery for reconstruction?

Answer:

Dear Victoria, There are a number of benign breast tumors and cysts whose removal results in smaller breasts, but usually these are localized reductions of soft tissue and generalized augmentation helps little with the contour of specific areas.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

I recently underwent abdominal surgery, because I was having intense lower abdominal pain. It was first suspected to be appendicitis, but once the surgeon actually got in, he said it was a hemorrhagic ovarian cyst that had ruptured, leaving a pocket of blood in my abdomen. He suctioned that out, and also took out my appendix. I'm 15 years old, and this was my first problem of this sort. I'm wondering if I will be prone to these cysts. Will they be a recurring thing? What can be done to prevent them? Should I know anything else about them? Any answer would be appreciated.

Answer:

It probably won't occur again. If it does, they will be able to observe you as the appendix no longer is present.

Question:

I have freckles that I would like to have removed. Is lasering my best bet? Once lasered are they gone for good? Is this an expensive procedure?

Answer:

Dear Ju, Freckles are usually very easily and safely removed with lasers - especially if you have light underlying skin. The freckles do not return, but you usually have others that develop with time. I charge $20 per freckle for removal or many, many (usually about 200) can be done in a "mega-session" where I charge $500 for a half hour of lasering. You should contact a laser surgeon in your area, preferably one board-certified by the American Board of Laser Surgery and one that has either a Q-switched ruby, alexandrite or high-powered KTP laser.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

I am a 21 year old African American women who as of late has had abnormal growth of facial hair. At first I thought that I might have polycystic ovaries or it could be attributed to the 85 lbs I have gained these past four years at college. Others say that the hair is so thin that they can't see it. Nonetheless, I am very self-conscious about it. Is laser hair removal a safe alternative for me? I am not 'fair-skinned' and in my research I've found that the surgery is recommended for people with very dark hair, which I have, and light complexions. I have also heard that hormone replacements might do the trick. I believe that I have solicited this hair growth by removing hair when there was very little growth ( i.e. waxing, shaving, etc). Much to my dismay the hairs have grown back thicker. Which lasers would be best used on me? What is the scar risk? Alternatives? How much would the surger cost?

Answer:

Dear BH, You are looking into this at a very opportune time since third generation hair removal lasers have just become FDA approved in the US. These lasers will remove the unwanted hair with very little risk (when used by the right laser surgeon) and give very good results after 3 to 5 treatments of an area. I would not suggest hormone replacements since they have far more universal effects on your body. Weight loss always helps since hormones are altered by fat in the peripheral tissue. The best lasers to use are long-pulsed YAG lasers of which there are several, the most effective, likely, being the LYRA laser by Laserscope. I would suggest that you find a laser surgeon in your area with this laser. Treatment costs vary across the country. My office charges $50 per square inch of facial skin treated per treatment. Scarring almost never occurs.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

Hello. I have had braces in the past and my bite is ok, but I'm not happy with my smile. The roof of my mouth is quite narrow and I don't like my appearance when I talk or smile. What can be done to help with a problem like this?

Answer:

This is difficult to answer without examining you. Many options are available (ie: braces, surgery) but follow up with an Oral & Maxillofacial surgeon of your choice to thoroughly examine you.

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