Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) Questions and Answers

Question:

I have had TMD for the past 9 years and have tried several tx. including drugs, antiflamators, pain pills, muscle relaxers, accupuncture, tens unit, splint and ice and heat. I recently had an arthrigram which indicated markedly displaced discs on both sides and severly limited translation. It is recommended that I have soft tissue repair surgery that will move my TMJ joints back into their normal postion and cartlidge will be added from my ear. My question is what is the sucsess rate of this type of surgery and what is the post operative proceedure. Also should I get a second opionion. I am in sever pain most of the time and often unable to work full time. i also have fibromyalgia and I believe nerve damage in my face muscles although this has not been confirmed

Answer:

If you have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia by a Rheumatologist, succesful treatment of the fibromyalgia may also bring a relief to the TMJ symptoms. Repositioning of the disk can help recover alot of function but if this has been a chronic problem, physical therapy after surgery may be warranted to help regain some range of motion. A second opinion can be helpful.

Question:

I have read about several doctors offering penis enlargement, is this something safe that provides very good results? Are there any side effects? How long is the procedure, and what does it entitle?

Answer:

There are many of us who offer this sexual enhancement surgery. There are basically two types of procedures. The first is the lengthening procedure where tiny ligaments are cut which allow the non-erect penis to hang further away from the body. This usually will allow for an elongation of from one to 5 centimeters depending upon the anatomy of the area. The second type of surgery is enlargement of the penis in diameter. For this, most of us use fat injections. This is the only part of the procedure which can and often does require touch-up procedures after since the fat take is variable. We often also perform procedures such as liposuction of the lower abdomen in conjuction with the procedure for further apparent lengthening. There are risks with each of the procedures described. The most common is that of the fat not taking completely and disappearing. Other risks such as infection or bleeding rarely happen. Loss of sensation can occur but is usually transient. The procedures each take about one to two hours although times have been shortenend with the use of lasers for the first procedure. Hope this helps. E-mail me and I can forward a brochure on to you detailing more about the procedures.

Question:

I have been diagnosed with DJD left TMJ. I have had surgery to correct but now the right side is popping and clicking. I don't seem to be able to find a way to chew that I can control or eliminate the popping. The closest I come is placing the food in my mouth then placing my hands on both sides of my jaw and chewing then repeating until my meal is finished. Any suggestions?

Answer:

My first recommendation would be to follow-up with the surgeon that treated the other joint to re-eval both sides. These symptoms may be early changes that could be managed conservatively ie: soft non-chewing diet, physical therapy, bite splints etc.

Question:

I was diagnoised with a gallstone about a year ago and surgery to remove my gallbladder was recommended. I would like to have a tummytuck done at the same time.I was told that my insurance might pay for stomach muscle repair.I have lost alot of weight over the last ten years and the skin of my stomach hangs down about four inches in a fold. In the summer I get sweaty and sort of raw there.I also have alot of lower back pain if I stand in oneplace for awhile,like doing dishes. Would insurance help pay on anything other than muscle repair? Also the place where my gallbladder is feels sore inside alot lately. Can these surgeries be done on as an outpatient? I have not consulted a plastic surgeon yet.

Answer:

Most insurance companies will not pay for a tummy tuck. I have never been able to get an insurance company pay for a tummy tuck. Good luck JRBerman

Question:

My aunt had cataract surgery that helped her for 3 years. Then she had laser surgery that helped another 3 years. Now her eyes are always watery. She says it's like sugar water. Her sight is almost gone. What can be done for her? She is in her 70's.

Answer:

Take her to a cornea specialist to evaluate the tearing.

Paul Zwiebel, MD
Littleton, CO

Question:

Hi! I'd like to know if you could tell me how to choose the best place/doctor for having breast sugery. Is it best to go to a hospital, clinic, or elsewhere? Or does it not really make a difference. Are the fees more expensive with one than the other? Also, How do I find out if the doctor is "well-known" or the "right" doc for the job? I live in San Diego-- and have NOT a clue about anything here other than the Naval Hospital. If not mistaken, military insurance (TRICARE) doesn't cover this procedure, correct?? After child birth in Dec 97 I lost severel inches-- I've tried 2 different non-surgical ways (herbs) to get my size back, no such luck! I am scared to death of going to the doctor much less having surgery but will do it (after all I did have a child!) if I knew exactly how to go about finding all info needed, a great doc, and also depending on the final cost and if possible payment arrangements if they can be made and/or if my insurance covers any. Thank you for your time! I hope you can help. On another topic-- mole removal (if can be answered) What's the best procedue to remove them and the cost of removal. They are located on my stomach. Would there be a noticable scare left afterwards and/or would it leave a spot that woul no longer tan with the rest of my skin. (can ya tell me how painful/painless the procedure would be LOL) Thanks so much!

Answer:

Dear Jamie, Insurance will not cover any portion of a breast augmentation or breast lift procedure since they are cosmetic in nature. I would suggest that you look on the web on this site as well as ebody.com for board-certified plastic surgeons in your area. Then I would suggest that you visit with at least three of them. This may cost you some additional money in terms of consultation fees but it is well spent. I would then ask them for a few patients that you could call and discuss the procedure with them. There are many choices to make including placement of the incision, size and placment below or on top of the mucsle. Each surgeon may give you a different answer on these subjects but go with the one that makes the most sense to you. I always suggest that you be conservative in terms of size. Leave the details to hospital vs clinic to your surgeon since he/she must be competietive in your market. Do not go with the cheapest surgeon just because of price. Hope this helps you

Question:

I am 25 years old, my actual prescription is O.D. spherical -12.25 cylindrical +6.50 Axis 019 O.S spheircal -12.25 cylindrical +6.25 Axis 002 and I am Keratoconic eye can I get Laser vision correction?

Answer:

Dear Litzy, No. Keratoconus is a contra indiction to laser surgery and should not be done. The result may be very unpredictable, and the cornea may then need a transplant to restore the vision. For further information, or an evaluation, please schedule an medical appointment for an examination by calling 1-800-824-1073.

Question:

Once I've had breast implants put in, will I ever have to replace them again? Can I just get them and never replace them? Why would anyone ever need to replace them?

Answer:

Breast implants are guaranteed by the manufacturers against rupture for life. Both of the major implant companies will replace them free of charge but you will have to cover the cost and inconvenience of the surgery. They contribute a small sum towards this cost as well. The main reason for change of implants is to either change the size or, after many years, sagging of the breasts does occur and, at the time of a breast lift procedure, the implants would likely be changed to a different size. The implants still have a problem with contracture (or hardening of the breast with resultant shape changes). Textured implants have helped this problem but it is still very common. Implants would be changed at the time of capsulectomy surgery to make the breasts soft again. New implants which have a more natural feel and look are also on the horizon. Some women may wish to change to this newer type for a more natural feel and look compared to the currently available saline-filled implants. I hope this helps explain why implants are often changed during the patient's lifetime.

Question:

Im having a reacurring pain on my right side,the pain is on the lower side where my overies were,also through the back. Not sure if this is an OB problem or not,could you please give me advise on what the problem might be. I have had this problem for the past 5 years since my hysterectomy and I am not sure if it is related or not.

Answer:

There are many causes of post-hysterectomy pain, and they should be investigated by an Ob/Gyn. Some causes may be adhesions (scar tissue), endometriosis, damage to a structure secondary to the surgery, and pain totally unrelated to the surgery.

Bernard Pacella, Jr., M.D.
New York, NY

Question:

DEAR DOCTORS I HAD LASIK SURGERY 4 MONTHS AGO AND MY PRESCRIPTION WAS OD -2.00 +3.00 X 95 OS -1.75 +3.25 X 85 HYPEROPIC ASTIG? OR MIXED ASTIG? MY DOCTOR PERFORMED A DOUBLE PROCEDURE ON MY EYES (DOUBLE CARDING)WITH THE SUMMIT APEX PLUS) I AM CURRENTLY SEEING 20/50 AND MY DOCTOR IS CONSIDERING AN ENHANCEMENT (VERY SCARED) MY QUESTION IS WHY ARE SOME DOCS PEROFORMING DOUBLE CARDING AND SOME DOCS ARE WAITING FOR THE FDA APPROVAL OF HYP ASTIG TREATMENT? I FEEL LIKE I HAVE JUMPED THE GUN AND MADE A MISTAKE. I HAVE SOME ASTIG LEFT WITH SOME MYOPIA NOW. MY DOCTOR TO DATE HAS NOT PERFORMED A TOPO ON ME. ANY TYPE OF RESPONSE WOULD BE APPRECIATED. THANKS JO ANN CISSELL

Answer:

It is hard for me to believe that there are ophthalmologists who do not know that the bitoric treatments give a far superior visual result than "double carding." There are some cases when double carding may be appropriate, but this is the exception. In our practice the patient's best interest is our chief motivation for recomending procedure(s). We place patients with your refractive error on a list so we can treat them the way we would want to be treated. We are not desperate for surgery to do, and we are not motivated by our own economic considerations. I am sorry you are having an outcome that is less than what you could have had. I would go to another surgeon for the rest of your care.

Paul Zwiebel, MD
Littleton, CO

Question:

Unfortunatly, I don't know if I'm asking the right person, but here goes anyway. Is it REALLY possible to increse breast size without sugery? As in, do products like "Busting Out" work like they say they do?

Answer:

Yes, they do. They are an excellent way of externally increasing your bust size without undergoing surgery. They do, however, have all of the drawbacks of not being a part of you and there are many instances where they cannot be worn. I would suggest a modest increase in size only so that it does not appear as though your breast size is varying by too much. Hope this helps.

Question:

One year ago, pain in the right side of my face was misdiagnosed by several doctors (as osteoarthritis, trigeminal neuralgia, and TMJ). About 6 months later, it was correctly diagnosed as a severe absess of a lower right molar, and an oral surgeon extracted the tooth and debrided the cyst of infection. Since surgery, I have had constant pain in the crown immediately in front of the extracted molar (which crown had a root canal many years ago).The pain has intensified and now radiates toward the right ear and down into the chin, with very tender spots along the right jaw bone. Neither my dentist nor my oral surgeon can find anything on recent x-rays/panoramics to explain the pain, and both say there is nothing more they can do. The oral surgeon did say that the cyst of infection was severe enough to have affected the bone and mentioned the necessity in some cases for a hyperbaric chamber. To whom can I go now? I cannot endure the constant pain, and I am concerned about the consequences to my health if left untreated. What should my next step be? Is there some discipline or test which can determine whether or not there is infection in the bone? I would appreciate your response. Thanks.

Answer:

I cannot give you an opinion based upon the information you have given. i.e. your age, sex, general health, occupation, past medical history, etc... may or may not be important with regard to the symptoms you express. I might suggest the following: 1) Make an appointment with the nearest University Medical Center for a complete physical examination. 2) be sure the Medical Center has an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery department for consultation 3) helpful tests would be a complete blood work up, a bone scan, chest xray, etc... Your pain could be any number of things, from fracture of the roots of the tooth next to the cystic area to osteomyelitis(bone infection), to tumor metastasis from another location, and ANYTHING in between. Without more information and a complete exam I can't be of any more help.

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• Learn about Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) in the Articles Section
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