A Scottish grandfather spent years struggling with a growing nose before surgery completely changed his life.
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Most people imagine aging as getting wrinkles, a few grey hairs, or maybe feeling a little slower. But for one Scottish grandfather, growing older brought something far more unexpected — a nose that wouldn’t stop growing and eventually took over his face.
68-year-old Gerard McAliece from Kilmacolm, Scotland, first noticed small changes about six years ago. His nose began to swell slightly and look redder, though he didn’t think much of it at the time.
He assumed it was simply part of aging and chose to ignore it. But as time went by, the changes became more severe, and soon it was clear that something was seriously wrong.
He said: "It just kept growing and growing and, as much as possible, I tried to ignore it."
The retired builder remembered how people would stare at him in public, sometimes even turning away. He recalled: "Yes, people began to stare, and some would turn away, but my view was: this is me. Take me as I am."
As the growth worsened, it reached the point where his nose drooped over his mouth. Everyday things like eating, drinking, and even kissing his wife, Carol, became difficult and sometimes impossible.
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Gerard revealed: "I hadn't been able to properly kiss her for years."
Doctors later diagnosed him with Rhinophyma — a rare condition that causes thickening of the skin on the nose due to enlarged oil glands and connective tissue.
Even though his case had become extreme, Gerard struggled for years to get any real medical help.
Gerard pictured before his surgery, when his nose growth had taken over his life
Kennedy News and Media/Ever Clinic
He explained: "When I went to the doctor, it was a locum that I saw, they asked if I could breathe and I said 'yes', and they said: 'that's ok then'. After that, I didn't discuss it with my GP as I didn't think they would do anything about it, as they would deem it as cosmetic."
His wife Carol eventually decided to take matters into her own hands. After reading online about the work of Ever Clinic in Glasgow, she reached out to them, hoping they could help her husband.
When Gerard visited the clinic, the doctors were shocked by the severity of his condition. They immediately scheduled an intricate four-hour operation led by Dr. Cormac Convery, where surgeons carefully removed the overgrown tissue and reshaped his nose to restore its natural look.
Gerard said: "They said it was the biggest job that they had ever tackled and that it was going to be a real challenge, but that, hopefully, they would be able to do it in one session, which they did."
The surgery completely changed his life. For the first time in years, he could look in the mirror and feel comfortable again.
The grateful grandfather added: "The result has been fantastic. It has totally turned my life around. Carol says that I am back to being the man that I used to be. I am now talking to people, going for a pint and enjoying meals out in restaurants, which we haven't done for years."
After the life changing operation, Gerard says he finally feels like himself again
Kennedy News and Media/Ever Clinic
Ever Clinic managing director Jonathan Toye said: "Gerard was easily the most advanced case of Rhinophyma we've seen at Ever Clinic. Unfortunately, he struggled to find the help he needed through the NHS, and we see this far too often."
"Dr Cormac really outdid himself with this case, and the result is outstanding."
Gerard now hopes that his story will inspire others who are living with the same condition to get help sooner, especially if they’ve been told by the NHS that nothing can be done.
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"If there is anyone out there in the position I was in, my advice to them would be – don't wait. Just do it."