Man unable to kiss wife after 'one of the worst cases' of nose swelling

A man from Renfrewshire was left unable to kiss his wife due to an extreme case of nose swelling.

Gerard McAliece said people would stare and turn away from him while suffering with “one of the worst cases” of rhinophyma, which caused his nose to enlarge and become red, bumpy and bulbous.

The tissue on the 68-year-old’s nose had expanded to such an extent over his mouth and face that he began to feel self-conscious at his grandchildren’s birthday parties.

“It just kept growing and growing and, as much as possible, I tried to ignore it,” he said.

“Yes, people began to stare, and some would turn away, but my view was: this is me. Take me as I am.”

Before: Gerard said he tried to ignore the condition. Ever Clinic via Supplied

“In retrospect, the younger kids were the worst. I mean no harm to them, but they have no guile at that age, and no filters.

“I used to really worry at my grandchildren’s birthday parties – what do their wee pals think? Are they saying: Is that your granda?”

“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. I didn’t push it. I am not a pushy person and I don’t expect things to be done for me. There are more important things going on.”

After discovering the Ever Clinic in Glasgow, Gerard’s wife, Carol, decided to take action as he said he hadn’t “been able to kiss her for years”.

One four-hour operation – described as the “biggest job the clinic has tackled” – later, and Gerard, from Kilmacolm, said his “whole life had been turned around”.

“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 – although the operation lasted more than four hours,” he said.

“I had no idea of time during the surgery and, towards the end, the local anaesthetic was starting to wear off. They gave me a little more and said: almost there – hold on, And then it was done.

“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: Gerard said his life has been 'totally turned around'. — After: Gerard said his life has been ‘totally turned around’. Ever Clinic via Supplied

Greenock-born Gerard decided to keep the surgery a secret between him and Carol, and said his family was “totally taken aback” when he surprised them with the results.

“When they saw me again for the first time, the surprise was complete. They were totally taken aback”.

“Kilmacolm is a fairly insular sort of place, and I don’t golf, or play bowls or fish, but I am really enjoying settling down with a book, or my crosswords, or getting jobs done in the garden.

“If there is anyone out there in the position I was in, my advice to them would be – don’t wait. Just do it.”

Jonathan Toye, managing director at Ever Clinic, called it the most advanced case of rhinophyma his team had seen.

“Unfortunately, he struggled to find the help he needed through the NHS, and we see this far too often”, he added.

“We’ve reached out several times to explore how we might support in managing these cases, but so far there’s been little progress.

“Dr Cormac really outdid himself with this case, and the result is outstanding. We’re so proud of the whole team, and hearing Gerard talk about how it’s changed his life has been a proud moment for all of us.”