Shko Faraj Agha
A NY man, Conrado Ramos Estrada, had become accustomed to wearing face masks long before others. With a bulbous nose affecting his eating and breathing, the 57-year-old painter and construction laborer chose to conceal it.
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The Portchester, NY resident shared with The Post, “They would stare at me. Children would ask their mothers what happened to me — and I would get around it by using a face mask all the time.”
More than a cosmetic issue, his oversized nose posed functional challenges, obstructing breathing and causing snoring. He explained, “It had reached my lips, and whenever I took a bite when I ate, that would touch the spoon.”
With the mask, and his nose, no longer hindering him, friends and family can now witness Estrada smiling openly.
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Thanks to a serendipitous encounter with plastic surgeon Dr. Thomas Romo, director of facial plastic reconstructive surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital, everything changed.
Dr. Romo, upon visiting Estrada’s Bronxville home with a paint crew five months ago, was taken aback by the severity of his condition. Describing it as a “bad one,” Romo observed that Estrada’s nose resembled “a penis on his nose,” afflicted by a smoldering infection that would have worsened over time.
Not one to withhold his thoughts, Romo couldn’t resist addressing the issue, recognizing the urgency of the situation.
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Suffering for years from rhinophyma, a condition characterized by a disfigured nose, the NY man faced thickened, pimpled, and pitted skin at the nose tip. The cause, identified as a form of rosacea, an inflammatory skin disease, remained elusive.
“I had spent six years seeing doctors and skin specialists and nothing would get better,” shared Estrada. Rhinophyma lacks an effective treatment, and for severe cases like his, surgery becomes the sole option to reduce the size of the nose.
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Rhinophyma, a condition predominantly affecting men, is rare. Typically emerging in mid-life, it can escalate without surgical intervention, making it crucial for effective management.
Dr. Romo, who conducted Estrada’s operation, remarked, “I hadn’t seen a rhinophyma in maybe 20 years.”
Considering the impact on Estrada’s life, Romo reflected, “This has to be affecting his life, his relationship with other people … and his ability to get work, and [his] self-esteem.”
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Romo, accustomed to conducting “pro bono” work through his Little Baby Face Foundation, is dedicated to providing surgery for underserved children with facial deformities. He noted, “Not many people know how to fix this thing,” and health insurance may not necessarily cover it.
Conrado Ramos Estrada shared with The Post, “He saw me, and he gave me a hug. He said, ‘I’m going to help you.’”
It took only a few days and some paperwork before Estrada found himself in the operating room. Now, nearly four weeks post-surgery, he’s back to work and resuming his daily life.
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Romo noted that it’s not just the alteration in his facial appearance; post-operation, Estrada exudes confidence. Romo vividly described the change, stating, “You’d think he won an Olympic gold medal. Chest is out, face’s out, he’s a smiley guy. I feel great for him!”
According to Romo, confidence plays a crucial role in transforming individuals into better, more productive members of society. He emphasized his commitment to community welfare, expressing, “I’m doing everything I can to help my community. I want this community to flourish.”
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Expressing gratitude, the NY man acknowledged the significant impact on his life. He shared his belief that divine intervention played a role, stating, “I believe God sent an angel to take care of me — and that’s how I see Dr. Romo.”
