POSTED UNDER Cleft Lip And Palate Repair REVIEWS
Cleft Palate, Cleft Lip Repair, and Rhinoplasty. Hellertown, PA
ORIGINAL POST
I was born with a cleft palate and lip. I have had...
carmine4817January 29, 2016
I was born with a cleft palate and lip. I have had rhinoplasty at the age of 16. I'm now 37 and finally have insurance! I had my palate, lip, and nose done as a baby and young child.
I was referred to Dr Morrissey by my medical doctor. His young son went to dr Morrissey for a precedure (unrelated to cleft lip or palate). So I felt if he trusts him I should also. I first met Morrissey on oct 2, 2015. He said he wanted to narrow my nose and correct my septum. My septum is out of place and it is causing breathing problems for me. I asked him if he can round my left nostril and make it more natural looking. He didnt say he couldn't do it but he said it would be difficult. So this is where I have some nerves about the surgery.
He wants to do a V-Y plasty...also know as V-Y flap on my upper lip. It will essentially lengthen my upper lip. I have a whistle deformity from having my cleft lip repaired as a baby. I'm very excited to have that fixed!! He wanted to do lip fillers to enhance the upper lip but due to insurance they will not be covered. I cannot afford them especially 1-2 times a year. I'm really bummed about that :(
I also have a "sun spot" on my lower lip. I'm hoping he can remove while I'm in surgery.
I have my last consult Visit on Feb 9, 2016. I was not prepared for my first visit (oct 2, 2015). So now I have a list of questions and concerns to bring to Dr. Morrissey.
I'm hoping to help someone else going through this. I'm also looking for any help from anyone who has any experience with cleft lip and palate repair or rhinoplasty. Being born with a cleft lip and palate was a tough thing for me. I was teased and I always felt less than as a child. As I got older my self-esteem was still damaged. I made a rough life for myself because of it. Now I'm 37 and I'm finally able to go through this surgery. I'm more comfortable in my skin now-a-days. I know it won't change my life but I know it will make it just a little bit better.
I will continue to share my story during this process along with photos. Thank you for reading my story!
I was referred to Dr Morrissey by my medical doctor. His young son went to dr Morrissey for a precedure (unrelated to cleft lip or palate). So I felt if he trusts him I should also. I first met Morrissey on oct 2, 2015. He said he wanted to narrow my nose and correct my septum. My septum is out of place and it is causing breathing problems for me. I asked him if he can round my left nostril and make it more natural looking. He didnt say he couldn't do it but he said it would be difficult. So this is where I have some nerves about the surgery.
He wants to do a V-Y plasty...also know as V-Y flap on my upper lip. It will essentially lengthen my upper lip. I have a whistle deformity from having my cleft lip repaired as a baby. I'm very excited to have that fixed!! He wanted to do lip fillers to enhance the upper lip but due to insurance they will not be covered. I cannot afford them especially 1-2 times a year. I'm really bummed about that :(
I also have a "sun spot" on my lower lip. I'm hoping he can remove while I'm in surgery.
I have my last consult Visit on Feb 9, 2016. I was not prepared for my first visit (oct 2, 2015). So now I have a list of questions and concerns to bring to Dr. Morrissey.
I'm hoping to help someone else going through this. I'm also looking for any help from anyone who has any experience with cleft lip and palate repair or rhinoplasty. Being born with a cleft lip and palate was a tough thing for me. I was teased and I always felt less than as a child. As I got older my self-esteem was still damaged. I made a rough life for myself because of it. Now I'm 37 and I'm finally able to go through this surgery. I'm more comfortable in my skin now-a-days. I know it won't change my life but I know it will make it just a little bit better.
I will continue to share my story during this process along with photos. Thank you for reading my story!
carmine4817's provider
UPDATED FROM carmine4817
30 days pre
Before surgery photo
carmine4817January 31, 2016
I just wanted to post another pre-surgery photo of me :)
Replies (0)
UPDATED FROM carmine4817
14 days post
16 days after surgery!!!
carmine4817March 15, 2016
Dr. Morrissey did an amazing job! I'm not sure what I was expecting but my results are better than I expected!! I know I'm still extremely swollen especially in my tip and under my eyes, where my nose meets my cheeks. I wanted to upload a photo showing what a great job he did. I will update (soon) photos from after surgery with details of how Surgery was for me.
Replies (5)
March 16, 2016
You look great. I also had the lip flap surgery 24 years ago due to my cleft lip and palate. I had Rhinoplasty performed at the same time. Rhino results were awesome. Lip surgery was botched. I know have more noticeable asymmetry than I had to begin with. I was extremely dissatisfied with the surgery. I am now going to focus on myself as an adult since my boys are now grown and get more orthodontics and a neck and lower facelift. I'm super excited that I have this opportunity! I'm so happy that you were able to follow up and make yourself happy. After surviving our childhood...we definitely deserve it!!!!
March 18, 2016
Oy our childhood!! We defiantly deserve to be happy!! I'm so glad you are focusing on yourself and doing whatever makes u happy :) when u say ur lip was botched what type of flap did u have? Was it to lengthen ur lip like the v-y flap? Have u ever had lip injection fillers? If my insurance will pay I think that will be what makes the biggest difference for me. I'm happy to have found someone else that understands what I'm going through! It's so nice to meet u!
March 18, 2016
Its very nice to meet you as well! I apologize as I do not remember the name of the surgery. I can tell you the process to see if that helps. I remember that the Dr took skin from inside my jaw (I think)...not positive about where he took the skin from either. Everything surgery wise runs together for me. Anyway...he added it to my upper lip. We were wanting to achieve a fuller upper lip. My lips were sewn together for what seems like a month in order to allow blood flow to the new skin. The bloodflow was provided from my bottom lip. The results are a exaggerated top lip as it is too full and a dip in my bottom lip where the stitches were. Also tons of scar tissue on the inside. There is one major surgery that I need to have done but I am too terrified of it at my age now. That is jaw surgery. I have pretty strong underbite. I think everyone does but most get the surgery. I left home at an early age...I was literally exhausted and over having surgeries by then. I just wanted somewhat of a normal life. I met my boys father and began a life with him. That's another story. Lol! I have an orthodontic appointment in a couple of weeks as well as a Prosthodontist. I'm hoping he can suggest something to me to correct my underbite without the surgery. I'm extremely self conscious about it. I know my neck and lower facelift will help me a lot too. You really look fantastic. In your pics I can't even tell if you have Bilateral orIUnilateral cleft. Your scar is very transparent. Your smile is beautiful as well. I haven't had any fillers...no. I watched a YouTube video the other night where a girl went to have Tatooing done on her lips. I thought that was interesting. I am so excited to finally have someone to talk to that understands the extent of the birth defect...physically...socially and emotionally!
March 19, 2016
Yes I read about the surgery you had done on your lips. I can't remember the name but it's an interesting concept and it really has great results. I'd imagine a lot of pain is involved w that procedure (but done all of them involve pain!). Omg I'm terrified of the jaw surgery also!! BUT the outcomes are amazing!! No one ever brought jaw surgery up to me until I posted photos on this site, and I asked the Drs what they would do to improve my features. I don't think I would be able to do that now at my age either!! I hope they can find a solution for you w out surgery also!! The neck and lower face lift will be great too :) do u plan on posting photos? I'm dying to see ur transformation from when you were younger to now :)
I have a unilateral cleft I think since he did my lip my scaring isn't as visible as it was. I guess most of the scaring was on the lip itself. Oh and I did see the tattooing for lips too on YouTube!! That is interesting!! I'm so dying for lip injections but it's now waiting to see if insurance would pay for them!! I have another follow up w my Surgon on April 22 so I'm going to discuss what we do if they deny my claim. I wish he would have lengthened my left side upper lip like he did in the center of my upper lip. I asked him before surgery and he said no because that's where fillers will go, but to me it doesn't make sense. It could have been a permanent solution for me and fillers would have filled it out better. But I'm not a surgeon so I guess it's not that easy lol! Well, have a great day!! Talk to u soon!
March 27, 2016
Good morning. I hope this lovely Easter Sunday finds you well. How did your follow up appointment go? Did you get your fillers done? I will probably post pics but I am a little apprehensive about it. I am wanting to post my before and afters for my lift but kind of fear that more focus would be on my defect by others. I am considering fillers under my eyes as I've noticed a hollowing developing. I do wonder if it's only due to age or if my underbite contributes to it somewhat. My appointment with the Prosthodontist is tomorrow so I'm looking forward to that. I PRAY that he can give me a solution that is financially feasible for me. If we can at least somewhat "camouflage" the underbite that would be worth it for me. I will be interested to see if you enjoy the filler in your lips. I hear fillers last about 2 years. :-) Oh...btw...I have a Bi-Lateral. Take care and talk soon. :-)
Replies (14)
Good luck with your surgeries :)
Congrats for being so brave and coming out a winner ! I want to get my sister's surgery done. Her nose and upper lip are still deformed after the cleft lip and palate surgery.