Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) Questions and Answers

Question:

I have wrinkles and bags below my eyes beyond my years. I had corneal ulcers and dry eye syndrom which caused me to constantly tug at my eyes. The skin under my eyes and eyelids is very loose. I would like to correct the situation. I am willing to undergo surgery or other treatment. could you please advise what is safe and effective and what kind of results I can expect. Thank you.

Answer:

Dear Carol, The tightening of the lower lid and, likely, elevation of the outer corner of the eye so as to tighten the ligaments which support the lower eyelid to help with your symptomatology. The lower eyelid skin could then be resurfaced to help with the fine lines and any bags could be removed without any incision. The first procedure mentioned is called a canthopexy or canthoplasty and is best performed by plastic surgeons or ophthalmic surgeons.

Question:

Hi,im so desparate for some advice.i had a laminectomy op in 1997,after 18mths pysiotherapy i was quite well again,suffered mild sciatica,and muscle spasms,but it was relief from what i had been suffering.Then at the end of nov 2001 it started really playing me up,by the 17th dec i was in SEVERE AGONY ,couldnt stand never mind walk.the pain so intense like ive never known before,all the way to my foot.it was to much to stand i layed on the floor,the dr gave me Tramadol,(i already take co proxomol and diazepam)the tramadol was a great help for my sanity and taking the edge off.im in pain as i write this its such a drag. i still cant walk or stand for more than a minute,tops.if i didnt have a family to think of id of topped myself by now.To me it seems like a disc again,i hope it isnt,i cant bear the thought of surgery again,my dr wont send me for a scan,ive to just wait and see.I feel like everything has shrunk in my leg it wont extend,behind my knee is so very tight.its literally driving me mad!all i do is cry,im trying to be strong but its very hard,im going to see a chiropractor on wed.do you think this will help me?or do you have another solution? i dont have much money as i dont work,but i need to find someone or something to help me,and soon.do you think this will be money well spent?also could the stress of all this interfere with my periods?im coming on every 17days for the last two mths now and suffer with thrush alot too.Please help..

Answer:

Jackie, It sounds like you need an MRI. It may well be another disc problem. Where are you located? Your wording leads me to believe that you might be outside the United States. If it is a disc there are a few opions other than surgery.....write me again if the scan comes back positive and I'll give you some options. If the scam is negative, I'd suggest you seek a doctor of chiropractic. Check out www.chiroweb.com for the most comprehensive list of doctors I know of. Wishing you a speedy recovery, Dr. Jim

Question:

I am an 18 year old female who wants to get a breast reduction, but only in one breast. My right breast is about 2 cup sizes larger thatn the other one I have difficulty finding bras. Usually having to just buy sports bras, and whats to me it is very embarrassing when people notice. My questions are because of the abnormal size of my breast is there anyway way I have a reason to get a reduction for health reasons? Is there finical aid I can apply for to get this surgery and do you know of a specialist in th area of louisville kentucky? I would be very apprietiative if you could answer my questions

Answer 1:

Dear Veronica, You have a developmental disorder which resulted in uneven breast sizes and, likely, shape. Your medical insurance should cover the cost of the unilateral reduction since it is similar to a birth defect. There are a number of fine plastic surgeons in the Louisville area, just look in the yellow pages or visit the ASPRS or ASAPS web sites for their names and contact numbers.

Answer 2:

The best way to start is to see a Board Certified Plastic Surgeon, who will evaluate your needs and can contact your insurance company to pre-determine coverage. David M. Metzner, MD

Question:

I have had 3 surgeries on my breast within 6months. 1st was augmentation in 5/01, then a revision due to CC in 6/01, my last surgery was to correct bottoming out which started within weeks of the 2nd surgery, now I am a few weeks post from the last surgery and my implant has bottomed out again. Is there anything I can do to prevent this or should I seek advise from another PS?

Answer:

Dear Sherry, The bottoming out is a problem and may require a time without implants in order to let the entire area heal well. I would certainly suggest that you get a second or third opinion at this time although there may have been little means of preventing your current problems if the CC was too severe.

Question:

I recently read about women who have had breast enlargment...to hide the scars they were tatooed using ink made to match the skin color rather than laser surgery.Have you heard of this, and if so is it done by doctors or a Tattoo artist.I was wondering if it would work on the stretch marks under my armpits. I recently started noticing them from the amount of weight i've gained from weight lifting. Thank you any help would be appriciated.

Answer 1:

Medical tatooing is somewhat helpful as a camouflage for scars and loss of normal skin pigment. Remember, if you tan the area the tatoo will remain the same color.

Answer 2:

Dear Christopher, This cover-up tattooing may be done in plastic surgeons' offices by tattoo artists or by tattoo artists in their own facilities. I must say that most of the patients who I have seen have been disappointed since skin color changes with time, temperature, tan, etc. but the tattoo pigment does not. Also, there is no good way of removing the pigment should it be the wrong color - laser tattoo removal does not work on these color pigments.

Question:

I have chronic sinusitis, and have been fighting a rather severe infection since August. I began to have dizziness, and my optometrist diagnosed what appeared to be a 3rd nerve palsy, however, I've just seen a neurologist who thinks I should have a brain MRI, and apparently suspects a lesion. He is also looking for the cause of a ptosis! If a lesion is found would surgery be required?

Answer:

It depends on where the lesion is and what the lesion is.

Douglas Dedo, MD
Palm Beach Gardens, FL

Question:

There is an area on my back that at one time was a painless lump the size of a dime it is now red, swollen, and has caused tenderness around the area, I was told by one person that it was a white mole and someone else said it was a cyst that has become inflammed? What does it sound like to you?

Answer:

Dear Jay...being a Nurse, I can't diagnose but...working at the VA Hospital Surgical Clinic, I saw lots of cysts like you describe. What we usually saw were hair follicles that became infected, producing fluid that caused the swelling and redness. If it is a cyst, it may need to be removed. We frequently removed them in our minor surgery clinic...not a big deal...Sometimes they resolve on their own, but, I would recommend you have it checked out by your family physician and see what he says... Good Luck Julie Adinolfe RN AskANurse

Question:

I have been in sever pain for two weeks now,i just found out theres some thinig wrong with my spine they said its the 5lower or something like that what can be done so i wont be in so much pain .pain medcine and muscle relaxin dont do any thing .what should i do?i cant countiuie with this pain,sit hurts the only way that i feel conferble is laying down,but i have kids theres thing that have to be done.can you tell me what can be done for my spine to get better.or do i need surgery to fix the promblem.

Answer:

Hi Laura, It sounds like you have an L5 disc problem based on what you told me. The L5 area ia the lowest area in the spine and is locate usually just below your beltline. This area is very commonly the source of pain for people with "low back problems". The pain can be in that area, or it can feel like its spreading across the back, down the buttocks, into the thigh or calf and sometimes to the ankle. You are right in that sitting can cause more pain. Standing sometimes will or will not be a problem, but if you have children you are likely to be too busy to be comfortable standing. My first suggestion is to use ice to calm the area down. If you have one, the gelpacks that you put in the freezer are great. If not, frozen vegetables like peas or corn will make a reasonable substitute but it usually take several bags to keep the area cold enough long enough. Use the ice pack 20 minutes at a time every hour if possible. Place a paper towel or one layer of a tee shirt between you and the ice pack. It will sting, burn then the area will go numb which is exactly what you want. Many people use heat but heat sometimes makes the problem worse in the early stages. Seek a good chiropractor for your first exam. Try to get a referral from a family membere or friend who knows a good doctor of chiropractic in your area. Your should feel some relief within two weeks, if you experience no relief, then other forms of treatment may be necessary. Surgery is only used as a last resort and should only be done after other more conservative measures have been tried. I wish you a speedy recovery. Dr. Jim

Question:

I think I am getting bags under my eyes. What is the easiest and least painful way of getting rid of it. And how much is all of that going to cost me?

Answer:

Dear Elizabeth, Lower eyelid blepharoplasties with or without the use of laser resurfacing to help the skin texture is your best option for improving bags. This surgery costs $2000 to $3000 depending upon where you are in the coutry and what needs to be done. Your down-time should be about one week.

Question:

I am seventeen and wear a 34DD. My breasts seem greatly out of proportion to my 115lb frame. I have back pain and find it difficult to engage in sports, etc. Is breast reduction by liposuction a good idea? And how does one go about getting the insurance to pay for part of the surgery?

Answer:

You are probably a candidate for breast reduction. Liposuction of the breasts can reduce the size some, though not as effectively as a true breast reduction. Some insurances cover breast reduction and some do not. It is necessary to contact your insurance company to determine coverage. David M. Metzner, MD

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