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Andy's Story |
Andy's Story
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Andy was just 12 when he underwent his first right-ear microtia reconstruction surgery. That's kind of a scary thing for a boy that age, but Fresh Start Surgical Gifts made sure he was calm and comfortable during his surgery, which was performed during one of the organization's Surgical Weekends.
There, numerous children and young adults undergo surgeries to correct physical deformities caused by birth defects, accidents, abuse and disease. "I was born with a deformed right ear," Andy said. "I didn't have a normal functioning ear." He is now 23, and has undergone about a half dozen major surgeries, the last one performed on Saturday.
These surgeries, as well as several minor surgical procedures, were given to Andy over the years by Fresh Start all-volunteer surgical teams, free of charge. Andy began the process when he and his parents sat down with Dr. Dennis Nigro, a board-certified plastic surgeon and founder and chief surgeon of Fresh Start. They were overjoyed when Nigro presented them with an overwhelming opportunity to improve the ear, both esthetically and functionally.
The surgery performed last week was to elevate the ear from the side of Andy's head with a skin graft from his left ear. He says one of the last surgeries will be to open the ear canal all the way to the eardrum so he will be able to hear out of his right ear.
"Fresh Start has not only helped me physically, but psychologically," Andy said. "I can't describe, in words, what Fresh Start has meant to me and my family. Now, I can feel like a normal person. I have more confidence and I'm less self-conscious. At the same time you become humble. I've met a lot of other patients in the same situation and you understand what they are going through.
"Surgery Weekends are held six to eight times per year. A typical Surgery Weekend involves approximately 10 to 15 major surgeries, multiple minor surgeries, laser treatments, and 25 to 30 multispecialty patient evaluations.
"I cherish Fresh Start and Dr. Nigro," Andy said. "I feel lucky and proud to be a part of it. Dr. Nigro is the best surgeon and outstanding person. He and his staff have performed countless miracles. "Some of those miracles include excisions of large, hairy birth marks, scar tissue removal, facial reconstruction, cleft lip and palate repair, and hemangioma (birth mark) removals.
By: PENNY BONNOT - Staff Writer, North County Times. Penny Bonnot can be reached at (760) 901-4086 or pbonnot@nctimes.com.
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