Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) Questions and Answers

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.

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.

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.

Question:

I wear colored contacts. I always have. If I have lasic eye surgery, can I still wear my colored contacts? Without prescription lenses, of course.

Answer:

You certainly can. Andrew Caster, MD www.castervision.com

Robert Joseph, MD
Danville, KY

Question:

If one breast has developed more than the other, what could that indicate? Does uneven growth of the breasts require surgery?

Answer:

Dear Ariel, Breast asymmetry can be serious depeding upon how old you are. If you are young and it is primarily a cosmetic problem, how serious it is determines whether or not you wish to get it repaired and what that might consist of. There are deformities of the breast which require special types of surgery to correct.

Question:

I am interested in having botox injections in the lower half of my face to eliminate the frown lines on the sides of my mouth. Is this procedure successful and can you recommend a MD in my area?

Answer:

Like lots of things in cosmetic surgery, you can probably find somebody to perform what you want. Very few plastic surgeons I know will inject botox in the lower perioral area for fear of smile muscle paralysis. I won't inject around the mouth for fear of having a paralyzed smile.

Question:

I have tmj and I don't like my physical appearance because of this disorder. Is there anything that can be done to help without having a major jaw surgery?

Answer:

Have you tried wearing a veil? Seriously, your question is so vague I can't even begin to offer you an answer.

Question:

i am interested in plastic surgery on my ears. i would like them to be reconstucted to come to a point. is this done, by whom, and what is the price range?

Answer:

Dear Justa, I take it that you mean a point at the bottom of the ear ie. making an ear lobule and that you do not want to have pointed ears (we spend a great many hours in the operating room correcting this deformity in those people born with this problem). I would suggest that you visit with a plastic surgeon in your area and that group is the most well versed in ear cosmetic surgery.

Question:

Is surgery safe to reduce fat in my upper arms? If so, how much could that cost?

Answer:

Dear Jenn, Upper arm liposuction, especially using ultrasonic-assisted liposuction is a wonderful procedure as long as your skin is in good condition to allow for a smooth and even contraction over the area after the fat is partially removed. If the skin is in large excess, a brachioplasty is a better procedure to undergo. This difference between the two is immense though in terms of recovery, risk and scarring. I would suggest that you visit with a plastic/cosmetic surgeon in your area to determine which procedure is best for you.

Question:

Hello I have just returned from Mexico where I have had My second Rhino. done the first was about 15 years ago, this left me unhappy with my nose. now 33yo I decided to do it again along with my chin. question it has been One week since my opperation, and allthough it is hard to tell I think Im going to be happy with both. Question: Im experienceing alot of numbness on my chin and lower lip this is to be expected? and if so for how long? Thank you in

Answer:

Dear Rob, There are some excellent surgeons in Mexico and I hope that you are pleased with your surgery once the healing is complete. It is hard to know if the sensory nerves which supply your chin were injured at the time of surgery and to what extent. If the feeling does not return over the next few months, it may not do so. The mental nerves which supply sensation to the chin come out of the bone just to the side and sometimes under the larger glove shaped chin implants we all now use. Hopefully, they were just slightly injured and your sensation will return as opposed to being severely injured or cut, in which case you may end up with a numb chin or pain to the side of your chin.

Question:

What information can you give me for breast reductive surgery due to health problems? Back Pain

Answer:

Dear Mary Jane, Breast reduction surgery is a very effective means of helping not only back pain but also bra strap furrows, intertrigo (infection of the skin under very heavy breasts) as well as occasional women with numbness and tingling in the hands and arms due to the weight of the breasts and resultant nerve problems. If your back pain is due to very heavy breasts and it is a functional problem, your insurance carrier will be able to help with the cost of the procedure. Many of my happiest patients are those who have undergone this procedure with only the drawback of scarring as the main unfortunate sequela of the surgery. Contact your local plastic surgeon for more information.

Next Step

• Learn about Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) in the Articles Section
• Ready for a consultation? See qualified Facial Plastic Surgery doctors in your area

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