Ear Surgery (Otoplasty) Questions and Answers

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Question:

My breasts are a very uneven size. Onee is an A cup and the other is a B/C cup. Is there anything natural that i can do to make them even?

Answer:

Dear Lexi...here's an answer from our archives.... Question: Mar 04, 2001 One of my breasts is larger than the other, is there a way to even them out with out cosmetic surgery such as excercises? Answer: Dear Shannon, No that is not possible. Usually uneven breasts require either reduction of the larger one, enlargement of the smaller one, or some form of reshaping on each. There are also a number of breast deformities such as tuberous breasts which require special treatment. I know that the prospect of surgery is not great but I would suggest that you visit with a qualified plastic surgeon to discuss the options. This type of surgery often yields the most pleased patients we have. Gregory Caputy Chief Surgeon Hope this helps... Julie Adinolfe RN

Question:

Can I use my medicaid card to pay for a breast reduction surgery?

Answer:

Dear Vee, That depends on the surgery. If it is medically necessary, a medicaid provider may do the procedure for you. Usually this is considered a cosmetic procedure unless you are having health problems as a result of the large breasts.

Gregory Caputy, MD, Chief Surgeon
Honolulu, HI

Question:

hi, I had a lumbar fusion 3 monthes ago,it was my second surgery. In the last month I have developed severe left knee pain when I am sitting normally.Sometimes it hurts at other times and the pain is usually relieved when I stand up and stretch.Do you think it could have anything to do with my back problems, or is it something new? I also have endometriosis and was on Depot Lupron for 6 monthes. I have heard that it can mess up your bones.I just wanted to get some advice before I let my M.D. know about it because sometimes I feel like a hypochondriac.I am 23 years old. Thank You

Answer:

Hi Jamie, Lumbar fusion is a pretty intense surgery. It is performed after all other options have been exhausted in most cases. While it does relieve the pain in most cases, it never addresses the cause of the original proplem in the spine. As a result some patients end up having a second surgery years later at the level just above or below the original site. Sometimes the changes in the way you walk as a result of the surgery can cause knee or hip problems. A good chiropractic evaluation by a someone trained to detect and correct knee or hip problems will give you an idea if the two problems are linked. To find someone in your area, go to www.activator.com. Thanks for your question.

Question:

Hi Doctor Taub, well I am back, we just got home from the hospital around 9pm, we were there all day and I just got Brian settled for the night. First we had the dye in the back thing, I forget what you called it, but it took over two hours and they found 2 suspicious spots in both armpits, then came surgery, 5 hours worth! remember I said the doctor was planning on cutting about 1 inch around where the mole was? well he had to cut 6" around it!!! its so big and I feel so sad and for the lymph nodes, he removed 2 suspcious ones under the right armpit and 4 under the left. I am not sure why so many or what the out come is but I am getting really worried now. The doc isn't saying a whole lot just that he needs to have the lymph nodes looked at under a microscope and wants to see us back thursday or friday in his office. He also said something about the reason he had to cut so much more on Brian's back then originally anticipated, was because there seemed to be more root or something of the melanoma. I am not sure what all these means but I get the feeling its not good. I cried and cried all day while my husband laid in surgery. You know what though? after all that and I got him home he managed to give me a big hug and smile and said he loved me so much. I don't know if any of this tells you anything, but it sure confuses the heck out of me. Ihope to hear back from you soon. I am going to go try to lay down now and get some rest. its after 11pm and Im tired. thankd you doc!!! God Bless amy

Answer:

I am so sorry that so far the outcome isn't what we were hoping for. Until you have the final pathology we don't really know. If the lymph nodes are positive for cancer, the treatment usually given is interferon, an injectable medicine (he will be given the medicine to inject superficially into the thigh). Once you have the results, however, I want you to call the National Institutes of Health. They have many ongoing studies on the treatment of melanoma. There is a Dr. Rosenberg who has been very involved in research on melanoma that has spread and who has had some really good results. You can call 800-411-1222 to find out if your husband is a candidate or email prpl@mail.cc.nih.gov. I would specifically ask for Dr. Rosenberg' s studies. They will tell you what is involved but the treatments are usually "free", that is the study grants pay for the medications and the evaluations. Of course, you have to travel there to get it, which isn't ideal (The NIH is in Bethesda, Maryland). For more information go to www.nih.gov and click on clinical trials and search on melanoma. There you will see the trials available to you. Also there is medline plus which gives you info on melanoma. Be strong. Be positive. It is going to be hard but he really needs you.

Question:

I am searching for a doctor that performs the gastrointerstinal bypass surgery; however, I am clueless as to what line of practice to begin looking for. Could you please advise what area of medicine performs these surgeries?

Answer:

Dear Kimberly, You need a surgeon that specializes in gastric bypass...weight loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery. I looked at the website for the American society for Bariatric Surgery and found a link to Doctors in North Carolina. Hope this helps...and good luck...here's the link... http://www.asbs.org/html/member/nc.html please read this too... http://www.locateadoc.com/AskADoc/Disclaimer_AskADoc.shtml Julie Adinolfe RN

Question:

I pass out every time I see or hear something to do with medical treatments (such as taking blood, IVs, surgery, etc.) because I think about it too much and it's a fear of mine. I've had this problem for a long time but it seems to be getting worse because now I have a fear of passing out. What can I possibly do to just get over it and not let it bother me so much?

Answer:

Dear Becca, There are two ways to approach this problem. One can view it as a “simple phobia”, that is, as an isolated symptom, or, one can view it as part of a complex pattern in your life. In the latter case, one would explore this symptom as it fits in with the rest of your life, and try to help you reintegrate your life as a whole. If you saw me, that would be my approach, or, at least, my first approach. It is similar to a holistic approach to medicine in which the problem is not seen as an isolated thing, but as a symptom of problems with the patient’s overall health. Alternatively, there is a procedure for treating only the specific phobia that is presented. This is called desensitization. It involves training in relaxation and then gradually introducing thoughts and fantasies about the feared situation while maintaining the relaxed state. It is impossible to be frightened and relaxed at the same time. Therefore, if the relaxed state is maintained in the face of the feared situation, the fear is overcome. Desensitization is much faster than more comprehensive psychotherapy, but may leave some underlying problems untouched. Look in The National Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology (in your public library) for psychologists in your area who have expertise in anxiety disorders. If you want desensitization, look for someone whose orientation is Behavioral or Cognitive/Behavioral. If you want a broader approach to psychotherapy, look for someone with an Existential/Humanistic or a Psychodynamic orientation.

Question:

I have a history of pelvic adhesions from previous surgery (when I was 19). My last surgery was in 1991 and the doctor used barriers to try to stop the formation of adhesions again. It's been 10 years now, but I am having the same pains and symptoms as I've had with adhesions in the past. Is it possible for adhesions to return after the use of barriers? If yes, why? Also, I had a Dr. suggest possible ovary removal, if not hysterectomy to fix the problem. What are your thoughts. Thank you.

Answer:

Barriers, such as Interceed, are only somewhat effective in the prevention of adhesions. If you are having significant pain, surgery is the next step. If you are interested in future fertility, removing the uterus, tubes or ovaries should be avoided. If you are finished with child bearing, a hysterectomy, leaving the ovaries behind for hormonal support, may be helpful.

Question:

Dear Dr. I had laser vision correction 4 days ago. The vision in my right eye is very good at 20/25. My left eye is only 20/40. That was at my post-op visit 2 days ago and my vision in my left eye does not seem to have improved since then. Is it typical for one eye to have better vision initially and will they balance out with time? I have some blurriness and haziness also and it is difficult to read. My vision before surgery was -10.5 diopeters with astigmatism. Will this make stabilizing my vision take longer? Thanks, Laura Smyser meglover61@aol.com

Answer 1:

It is common for the eyes to heal differently, and your vision at this time is not a very good predictor of how it will be after 3-6 months of healing. Andrew Caster, MD

Answer 2:

You had a high correction before your surgery, so it may be to early to say what your final result will be. Many factors play into this including dry eyes, swelling and possible under or overcorrection that may change at this

Question:

I had been having painful, heavy periods and pain with intercourse for about a year. I went in for my annual exam and my Dr. thought I may have endometriosis. He also noted that my cervix was "drawn" to the right. I had an exploratory lap. and was found to have "mild" endo. I was then started on birth control pills. I have only been taking these for a month. I am still having pain with intercourse. Will this ever go away? Do I need to speak with my doctor again or should I give it time?

Answer:

The pain may never improve without definitive surgery. THis would involve resecting the endometriosis (especially the uterosacral ligaments), not burning it as is usually done.

Question:

My father in law has been diagnosed with hidradenitis suppurativa and has had 20 surgeries to help out with his pain. It has reached a point where the pain has become unbearable for him. He has lost a lot of weight and the condition is spreading. Do you have a name of a doctor who can help him? Is there anything that we can do to get him to feel a liitle better? We are desperate...

Answer:

I am so sorry to hear that your father-in-law is in such terrible discomfort. I did a literature search and found that there are really two main treatments for hidradenitis. One you might consider is oral isotretinoin, brand name Accutane, which is usually used for severe acne but has been shown to be successful in suppressing (not curing) the symptoms of some cases of hidradenitis. The most widely accepted treatment, however, appears to be radical surgery, that is wide excision of the entire skin surface in the affected area. With 20 surgeries behind him, it doesn't sound like this option is going to be one that gives him much hope. The authors that were associated with these papers about surgical procedures included Drs. Ratz and Finley at the Department of Dermatology at the Ochsner Clinic and Alton Ochsner Medical Foundation in New Orleans, LA and Drs. Brown, Rosen and Orengo, from the departments of dermatology at Baylor College of Medicine and Veterans Administration Medical Center in Houston Texas. Perhaps contacting one of these doctors for consultation on your father-in-law's case would prove fruitful. In addition, please have him checked carefully as squamous cell carcinoma, a type of skin cancer, can develop in long-standing open wounds. If he has hidradentis in the groin, he also may need to be evaluated by a gastroenterologist as this has been associated with rectal cancer. Good luck!

Question:

hi, i'm a 31 yr. old female and i believe i have "malocclusion"? an overbite.my top row of teeth almost completely overlaps my bottom row of teeth when i bite..my question is that i've been reading on the net that braces is recommmended for correcting this..does it matter who does this or is it like a plastic surgeon who will create his version of molding depending on his style, the reason why i'm asking is i would like to create a more wider smile since my teeth now which are straight are very narrow and i would like it to expand more outward and also my chin seems to be a little weak, would braces also fix that or do you think i would have to have jaw surgery to correct that. please let me know your opinion about finding a good doctor if it does make a difference on how my outcome of appearance will be..thanks for your patience and time.

Answer:

Rachel, It sounds like you need an orthodontist. Find one who is certified by the American Board of Orthodontics. You may need jaw surgery if you have such a deep bite. If so the orthodintist will direct you to an Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon.

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