Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) Questions and Answers

Question:

I plan to get laser surgery, as i my eyesight is pretty bad. What is the minimum age that you can have it? Also, does it help lazy eye at all??? Thanks!!!!

Answer:

Dear Emily, I usually do Lasik only if you are at least 18 years old. It does not help a lazy eye (anymore than glasses can). Sincerely, Dr. Alexandra Chebil M.D. The Lasik Center, Irvine California (800) 841-3717

Brent Murphy, M.D.
Atlanta, GA

Question:

Would you be able to tell me if there are any doctors performing excimer laser operations in the Netherlands? I suppose there are, but wouldn't know where to find them. I am a 47 year old female, wearing glasses/lenses since I was 7 (myope + astigmatic) and I would love to have the laser operation performed! Hope you can fill me in on this one. Thanks in advance, Naomi Koster Amstelveen The Netherlands

Answer:

Please try to contact the European Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgery (ESCRS). Also, try isrs.org., the web site for the International Society of Refractive Surgery

Paul Zwiebel, MD
Littleton, CO

Question:

My cataract operation was April 19, almost 5 months ago, and my eye has been burning ever since. My doctor calls it rosacea stemming from skin around the eye (though I had never had the problem before). He prescribed eye scrub and Noritate applied under the eye once/day. Two weeks ago dermatlogist was very indecisive about whether he was even seeing rosacea, but he prescribed tetracycline. Still have burning eye.Other possible diagnoses?

Answer:

Rosacea, blepharitis, and dry eye (tear dysfunction) could be part or all of the problem. You probably never noticed it. Then you were on anti inflammatory medication after cataract surgery. Now that you are off the medication you feel the difference which you had grown accoustomed to before.

Paul Zwiebel, MD
Littleton, CO

Question:

I have stretchmarks covering my buttocks hip and side of thighs area. Its rather ghastly and would like to get rid of or at least diminish their appearance. I have heard of some breakthroughs with laser surgery showing some positive results and am therefore wondering 'where' I would be best to go for this? However, I'm extremely weary -considering all the fake claims made by a multitude of laser centres and dermatologists out there just out to make money... of which my budget is limited... I want to be advised on a legitimate place/center - perhaps a 'research' center- I'm sure that there must be a guide out there or something.. I'm visiting from Australia and am currently in Connecticut. I thought I should try and find help here as America probably has the best and latest technology?.... My search on the internet has bought me thus far- Please help! Thankfully yours El-Leisha

Answer:

I am not aware of any treatment for stretch marks that really works.

Question:

I under went rhinoplasty in Dec.'98. Aside from the fact that my nose looks somewhat 'lopsided' since the surgery, I have some form of tissue or cartilage that protrudes under the skin inside my nostril that is uncomfortable when I move it. But more importantly, I am still having just as much trouble breathing now as I did a month after my surgery. The problem is that it has kept me from being able to engage in aerobic activity and it has caused me to have frequent migraines. I have to constantly take many over the counter drugs (i.e. vapor-rub,nasal decongestants) and have trouble sleeping at night because of the trouble breathing. Please help, I need some advise as to whether I should go see a physician or will this pass with time? Is this malpractice?

Answer:

Your first step should be tp return to the surgeon who did your original surgery and ask him to evaluate your concerns and discuss with you what might be done to improve your situation. After you have had that consultation, you may wish to see another surgeon for a "second opinion". Most surgeons would wait at least one year from the time of the last surgery before considering a secondary surgical procedure.

Question:

chronic sinus infections. take Claritin D, did allergy shots, had surgery twice. Now 2 years after the last surgery, my Internist is referring me back to ENT for possible 3rd surgery (which obviously doesn't work for me). Suggestions/possibilities? Thank you.

Answer:

time to see a Board Certified Allergist with an interest in sinus problems (should have been done earliar anyway) and to check your antibody status (pre and post puemovax vaccination)

Paul Nassif, MD
Beverly Hills, CA

Question:

I need information on facelifts for men, and what I can expect if I do have one. I am 50 years old and feel that I need one to stay in the work force I am in.

Answer:

Male facelifts can be extremely gratifying. The loose, hanging skin of the face and neck can be repositioned to give a more youthful appearance. Try looking at yourself in the mirror and pulling on your face and neck skin in an upward and backward direction. This may give you some idea of what could be accomplished. Expect to take 2 or 3 weeks off work to recover from the surgery.

Question:

Hello i'm not sure what catagory this falls under but my girlfreind has a steel pin in her shoulder. The operation was botched from the beginning and in the last couple of years she has had a lot of trouble with it. For no reason at all her shoulder will go out of place, wich causes her a tremendouse amount of pain. she is taking tylenol 3, and muscle relaxants. Her doctor told her she will have to get a plastic shoulder or have it fused, if she gets a plastic shoulder, the doctor informed her it will only last for 15 years. but if there is not enough bone for a plastic shoulder she will have to get it fused. the doctor tried to put padding in between the bones but that only lasted about a year. is there any other alternative? and how long will a plastic shoulder last after it's put in? thanx

Answer:

Abe, just because you were told that a plastic shoulder was to be placed, that does not mean that it is a "plastic surgery" problem.. It sounds orthopedic, speak to your orthopedic surgeon.

Question:

My 66 yr. old mother has inflammation/redness in one eye. It does not have any other symptoms of conjunctivitis, i.e. itchy, discharge, only a blood-red appearance. Her physician's sched was too full to see her, and called in a prescription for antibiotic drops. She does take high blood pressure meds, and estrogen replacements. She is due to have surgery to correct a fallen bladder this week, and we need advice as to what the eye problem might be if not cunjunctivitis, and how her prescriptions may affect this, or if she is even alright to procede with surgery. Thank you.

Answer:

You really need to have an eye examination to diagnose this problem. If you would like to schedule an appointment please call our office at 1-800-824-1073.

Question:

does a person with diabetes have a chance at having the surgery?

Answer:

Dear Marty, As long as your diabetes has not affected your retina, then you could probably be treated wiht Lasik. Sincerely, Dr. Alexandra Chebil M.D. The Lasik Center

Brent Murphy, M.D.
Atlanta, GA

Question:

I have extremely bad near-sighted vision. I've had one of my retna's tear due the the extreme myopia. My vision is about -17.5/-18. I was wondering what type of options I have. I'm 22 years old and I am afraid further complications like another torn retna will seriously harm my vision. I would love an opinion. Thank you very much for you time. Sincerely, Lyra

Answer:

Your myopia is indeed quite high Lyra. Currently the laser (LASIK) could correct about two-thirds of your prescription, but not all of it. A newer technology on the horizon is intra-ocular lens implants, also known as implantable contact lenses. These lenses are similar to the lens implants we use for cataract surgery patients, and they can correct very high degrees of myopia. These lenses are still considered investigational, and long term studies are not complete. One question is whether they may cause cataracts or glaucoma later in life. They will probably be approved in one years time, pending FDA approval. Check with us again next year to review your options. Sincerely, John D. Zdral, M.D.

Question:

Hi, On Dec. 29, 1997 I was attacked by a Lab/Chow mixed dog. The animal bit a large whole on the left side of my face, under my cheek. I recieved plastic surgery which involved 30 stitches on the surface and 10 dissolving stitches on the inside of my face. I was left with a scar. It could of been a lot worse than what it is, but I am very insecure about it. I try to do everything in my power so people do not see the scar. I always wear my hair down, I try to cover it with my hand, etc... My question is I would like to know if there is anything (laser or plastic surgery)that can be done to improve the appearance of the scar? My doctor told me that he could cut open the scar again and I would have to go through the same healing process as I did before, but I don't think I could go through it again. Please HELP ME. Thankyou

Answer:

Sorry to hear about your accident. Without seeing you, I can't give you specific advice about how your scar can be improved. Scar revision usually involves rearranging the skin to make the scar lines fall in less noticeable planes, or recutting portions of the scar so that the texture of the scar is better. Laser is not usually useful for this. Nothing will make a scar disappear; we can only try to make it less obvious. While it is true that if the scar is revised, you will go through a wound healing process again, that process should be less of an ordeal with revision. In dog bites these is a lot of crushing and tearing of tissue which is much more traumatic than scalpel incisions. You migh consider consulting a couple of plastic surgeons about what might be done for you specifically. Another thing to remember is that people are not as concerned about your appearance as you are, especially if you do not call attention to it. Good luck Carmen Paradis M.D.

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