Q: My grandson, who will turn 14 in January, was born with a cleft lip and had surgery at 4 months and again at 5 to correct the scar and his nose, which was too flat. Last September he had surgery to shape his nose, but now it looks wider and bigger. His doctor tells us that it will take about six months before we see the ultimate results. My daughter is thinking he should have his nose done again.
PLASTIC SURGERY 101
Q: I have been hearing and reading about the 18-year-old who died while undergoing breast surgery. Can you tell me in ''basic English'' what you think happened? I have a daughter who is having cosmetic surgery and I'd like some peace of mind.
PLASTIC SURGERY 101
Q: I had Bell's palsy and my face is now asymmetrical. It seems to be more noticeable as I get older. What are my options? I really don't want surgery.
PLASTIC SURGERY 101
Q: I want to get rid of some loose skin in my arms, but the surgeon recommended an operation that would leave a gigantic scar from elbow to armpit. Is there an alternative? I want to wear short-sleeve shirts again!
PLASTIC SURGERY 101
Q: I had a face-lift and eyelid surgery last June. The left side of my face is fine. The inside of my right brow raises slightly. My right eyelid does not close when I try to blink. When looking straight and moving the eye downward, the lid will follow. I do not have any control of my right eye or brow when I hold down the left side and try to raise the right side. My mouth was drooped but has somewhat come back. My doctor said everything will be back to normal, but it might take a year. I'm freaking...
PLASTIC SURGERY 101
Q: I am a healthy 41-year-old woman. I want to desperately get rid of a tiny lower belly and smooth out little bulges on my thighs. I've heard that traditional lipo makes your skin sag. Lasers, I've been told, cause fat to be dissolved under the skin and then sucked out or dissolved completely and released through the lymphatic system. What is your professional opinion?
PLASTIC SURGERY 101
Q: I'm a teenager considering rhinoplasty to refine my large nose. Is there such a thing as my face actually growing to the point where it matches the size/shape of my nose?
PLASTIC SURGERY 101
Q: My nose has been so badly broken up from boxing that I can no longer breathe through it. I would like to get it repaired surgically, strictly for function, keeping the looks as similar as possible. However, my current hobby is wrestling. Is it OK to continue wrestling after such surgery?
PLASTIC SURGERY 101
Q: All my life I've wished to have a prettier nose. I have a nasal allergy and a deviated septum. I've never been able to afford a nose job until now, but I'm 65. Am I too old?
PLASTIC SURGERY 101
Q: I would like to have eyelid surgery. Can you tell me what type of anesthesia I would need? A: Anesthesia for eyelid surgery varies with each surgeon. You can have strictly local anesthesia, which consists of surgery done with injections of anesthesia directly into the eye area (ouch!). Some people prefer this method (I cannot imagine why!).
PLASTIC SURGERY 101
Q: What is chemosis and why can it happen after eye surgery? A: Chemosis is an inflammation of the outer part of the inside part of the eye. (Whew! That was a mouthful.) By definition, chemosis is swelling of the tissue that lines the eyelids and surface of the eye (conjunctiva). You may or may not get chemosis after eye surgery. Presumably the cause of the swelling is secondary to the blockage of the lymphatic drainage that occurs after surgery.
