Patient Stories

Here are some testimonials and stories from our patients, we hope you find them helpful and informative. Choose a story from the menu on the right, or simply scroll down to read all.

Skin Cancer - Debbie

“I had no idea how large this tumor was when I came to see Dr. Armstrong. The edges were somewhat irregular and it was only after he marked these edges on my skin that I realized I was in for major surgery. This was actually my third recurrence after two prior less invasive treatments. I did not realize that tumors could spread so widely underneath the skin before they recur. Dr. Armstrong recommended that the tumor be excised with careful examination of the surgical margins to make sure that no cancer was left behind. I had been assured by my dermatologist that Dr. Armstrong is very meticulous in the way he handles the margins of tumor excisions and very creative in the way he reconstructs the defect.

I was never prepared for how vain I was. The tumor defect was an inch and a half across and involved a significant portion of my lip. Postoperatively, the redness and swelling in my cheek lasted for several weeks and was quite upsetting. As the swelling and redness subsided over 2-3 months, however, the scars disappeared into natural skin creases. Six months after surgery, these scars are barely visible. I have had no further evidence of cancer in this area." Back to Top >>

Facelift - Patient Anonymous

This woman complained of a tired, angry look in her eyes as well as excessive fullness in her neck. Dr. Armstrong observed that she had increased furrows between the eyebrows, descent of the cheeks and fullness in the neck that was accentuated by a small chin.

Three weeks after surgery, she appears refreshed and more than ten years younger. The eyebrows have been lifted through an endoscopic forehead procedure made through tiny incisions behind the hairline. As part of this procedure, the muscles that create the creases between the eyebrows have been divided to improve the frown line.

The upper eyelids look dramatically better, although no skin was removed from the upper lid itself. The nose looks smoother and more elegant from release of the horizontal creases at the top of the nose. No surgery was done directly to the nose. The lower eyelids have been improved by lifting the cheek through a transconjunctival midface lift. Excess skin has been removed from the lower eyelids. This technique improves the fullness of the cheeks and elevates the lower eyelid shadow. No fat was removed from the eyes. This fat conserving technique provides smoothness to the lower eyelids without creating a hollowed-out look.

The lower face was treated with a facelift, liposuction and a chin implant. By augmenting the chin, we greatly enhanced the jaw line as seen from the side. These early photographs show how quickly the swelling and bruising can subside. Most patients avoid social engagements for 2-3 weeks after a facelift.

Follow-up examination after 3 1/2 years shows that the elevation of the eyebrows and the relaxation of the eyebrow and nasal creases has been sustained. She has required no surgery to her upper eyelids at any time. The cheek elevation and improvement in the nasal shape have maintained and the improvement in her neck line has been sustained. The scars in front of her earlobe are barely visible. Back to Top >>

Eyelid Ptosis - Patient Anonymous

This gentleman recounts:

"Over the years, a fold of extra skin developed in my upper eyelid. By the time I saw Dr. Armstrong, it was difficult to see above the horizon without actively elevating my forehead. My wife noticed that I was always bumping my head in the basement.

Six weeks after surgery, my eyelids have healed beautifully and I can open them widely without any effort. It's much easier to read and to enjoy my passion for duck hunting."

Photographs were taken pre-operation, as well as 6 weeks after the surgery.
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Blepharoplasty - Katherine

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"For the past couple of years I've been bothered by excess skin above my eyelids and I always seemed to have bags under my eyes even if I wasn't tired. I'm so glad I went to Dr. Armstrong for an upper and lower blepharoplasty! Just one month after surgery my upper eyelids appear much larger because there isn't excess skin hanging over them and the bags under my eyes are gone. I had the procedure under local anesthesia and was amazed at how quick and painless it was. Every time I look in the mirror I'm so happy I went to Dr. Armstrong." Back to Top >>

 

 

 

Skin Cancer - Patient Anonymous

This 84-year-old man with a history of multiple skin cancers spends his winters in Florida, where he loves to surf fish. He was referred to Dr. Armstrong when he developed an evolving lentigo maligna melanoma. Although this is a very superficial form of melanoma, a small biopsy cannot exclude the possibility of deeper areas of melanoma. Invasive melanoma is a less common but highly fatal form of skin cancer that can metastasize widely if not treated aggressively.

His preoperative photograph shows an indistinct brown lesion spreading up and down the front of the nose. Removal of the entire lesion would leave a defect that is more than 50% of the nasal dorsum.

Dr. Armstrong felt that it would be more pleasing in the long run to remove the entire nasal dorsum as a unit and replace it with a single piece of skin rather than to create a patchwork of smaller skin grafts.

Following removal of the entire nasal dorsal skin, a large paddle of skin was elevated from the forehead on a designated artery and vein. This was rotated downward and used to close the nose and remained this way for six weeks before the pedicle was divided.

Four months after the second operation, his nose has healed beautifully. The scars are nicely camoflauged along the natural edges of the nasal contour. Back to Top >>

 

Nasal Reconstruction - Carole

A Brand New Nose!

Carole had a history of several prior nasal surgeries for skin cancer.  When she presented to me, she had subtle areas of regrowth of tumor.  She was sent to a local Mohs surgeon, who found that the tumor had spread widely underneath the prior repairs.  Her entire nose was removed, leaving only the mucous membrane and part of the bone and cartilage.  The tip of the nose was reconstructed using carttilage from the ear, and then a paddle of skin from the forehead was used to cover it.  After a few minor touchups under local anesthesia, she is able to breathe normally and has returned to playing tennis with her friends.
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