Aging is a natural process of life. For most people, it includes a few wrinkles or graying hair, but at times it can be a lot more dramatic.
Keep reading to know more.
68-year-old Gerard McAliece from Kilmacolm, Scotland, first noticed something different in his nose about six years ago. He did not pay attention to it, but soon after, it became increasingly hard to ignore.
He said of it, “It just kept growing and growing and, as much as possible, I tried to ignore it.”
The retiree said he remembers when people began to stop and stare at him. “Yes, people began to stare, and some would turn away, but my view was: this is me. Take me as I am.”
But as time went on, his nose became so big that it began to come over his mouth, which got in the way of his eating and drinking. He was even unable to kiss his wife, Carol.
Gerard shared, “I hadn’t been able to properly kiss her for years.”
Doctors diagnosed him with Rhinophyma, a rare skin condition that is caused by the overgrowth of sebaceous glands and connective tissue in the nose. Even getting medical attention initially was tough for Gerard.
He shared, “When I went to the doctor, it was a locum that I saw, they asked if I could breathe and I said ‘yes’, and they said: ‘that’s ok then’. After that, I didn’t discuss it with my GP as I didn’t think they would do anything about it, as they would deem it as cosmetic.”
It was his wife Carol who decided to take matters into her own hands and contacted Ever Clinic in Glasgow after reading about their previous work with Rhinophyma patients.
Gerard met the team and they were shocked at how advanced his condition had become. They immediately decided to take action that lead to a four-hour operation by Dr Cormac Convery. The surgeon and his team removed excessive tissue and reshaped the nose.
Gerard shared, “They said it was the biggest job that they had ever tackled and that it was going to be a real challenge, but that, hopefully, they would be able to do it in one session, which they did.”
The results were amazing. The 68-year-old shared his feelings about them, “The result has been fantastic. It has totally turned my life around. Carol says that I am back to being the man that I used to be. I am now talking to people, going for a pint and enjoying meals out in restaurants, which we haven’t done for years.”
Managing director of Ever Clinic, Jonathan Toye said, “Gerard was easily the most advanced case of Rhinophyma we’ve seen at Ever Clinic. Unfortunately, he struggled to find the help he needed through the NHS, and we see this far too often.
“Dr Cormac really outdid himself with this case, and the result is outstanding,” he commended his surgeon. His transformation has not just been incredible, but it has changed his life.
Gerard hopes to help others seek help sooner instead of later. And find alternatives if the NHS has been unable to help. He said, “If there is anyone out there in the position I was in, my advice to them would be – don’t wait. Just do it.” You can look at his transformation here.
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