Thomas Stevenson, 69, a frustrated grandfather, sought private medical treatment to have a large growth on his nose removed due to his concerns about being included in his granddaughter’s 18th birthday photos.
The retired driver began experiencing rhinophyma, a disfiguring condition, five years ago. The condition gradually worsened, prompting him to approach the NHS for help. However, after waiting and being offered no treatment, Thomas opted to go private.
One of his reasons for going private was an upcoming family birthday. Thomas explained: “My granddaughter was approaching her 18th birthday, and I just knew she wouldn’t want me in the photographs.”
Rhinophyma is characterized by visible nasal deformity, resulting from the excessive growth of sebaceous glands and underlying connective tissue, predominantly affecting older white men. Symptoms include severe swelling, lumps, and redness of the skin.
While Thomas was supported by his friends and family, the discomfort of being stared at by strangers became increasingly unbearable. He initially sought assistance from the NHS in 2020 and was eventually referred to an outpatient clinic in April 2022.
Despite being placed on a waiting list, NHS Lothian informed him that they were unable to provide the necessary treatment at that time. In February of this year, another clinic informed him that procedures for rhinophyma were not available, leaving him uncertain about if and when he would receive the required care.
He said: “In relative terms I was lucky. My nostrils started closing up but I didn’t have any real difficulty breathing.
“With disfigurement, people stare. Kids were the worst – they just can’t help being honest.”
Fortunately, Thomas approached Ever Clinic in Glasgow, where he underwent a two-hour laser excision procedure performed by Dr Cormac Convery, an expert in aesthetic medicine. The surgery took place a few months ago under local anaesthetic.
Thomas said people he meets think the difference in his appearance is “amazing”.
He added: “Now, I can get on with my life.”
However, he is angry that the treatment is unavailable via the NHS. Thomas said: “If Dr Convery can do this operation in a couple of hours, I don’t understand why the NHS can’t, or won’t, do it.
“It doesn’t seem fair. They see people who have had botched aesthetic treatments in places like Turkey and seem willing to fix these mistakes.
“I’m just happy I had it done. But if the NHS won’t help, perhaps they should consider referring people like me to professionals who can.”
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