A Life-Changing Transformation: How One Man Found Hope and Confidence After a Rare Condition
Conrado Ramos Estrada had been wearing face masks long before they became a common sight in everyday life. For the 57-year-old painter and construction worker, covering his face wasn’t about health precautions—it was about concealing an enlarged nose that made daily life difficult.
His condition, which caused his nose to swell to an unusual size, made it hard to eat, breathe, and even go unnoticed in public. “People would stare at me,” Estrada recalled. “Children would ask their mothers what happened to me—so I started wearing a face mask all the time to avoid the attention.”
But Estrada’s issue wasn’t just about appearance; it affected his breathing, caused snoring, and interfered with routine tasks. “My nose had grown to the point where it touched my lips, and whenever I ate, it would touch the spoon,” he explained.
Thankfully, a chance encounter with Dr. Thomas Romo, the director of facial plastic reconstructive surgery at Lenox Hill Hospital, changed everything for Estrada.
Dr. Romo met Estrada when he was part of a paint crew working at Romo’s Bronxville home. Seeing the severity of Estrada’s condition, Romo knew he had to help. “I’m not shy about offering my help,” Romo said, describing Estrada’s situation as “severe.”
Estrada had been struggling with his disfigured nose for years, a result of a rare condition called rhinophyma. This skin disorder, a subtype of rosacea, causes the nose to thicken, become bumpy, and appear enlarged due to overgrown oil glands. Despite seeking help from doctors and specialists, Estrada had found no relief. For cases like his, surgery is the only effective solution.
Rhinophyma is uncommon and mainly affects men in mid-life, progressively worsening without surgical intervention. Dr. Romo, who had not encountered a case in 20 years, recognized how the condition was impacting Estrada’s self-esteem, relationships, and ability to work.
Determined to help, Dr. Romo offered to perform the surgery pro bono through his Little Baby Face Foundation, a charity that provides care to children with facial deformities. “Not many people know how to treat this condition,” Romo noted, mentioning that it’s often not covered by health insurance.
“When Dr. Romo saw me, he gave me a hug and said, ‘I’m going to help you,’” Estrada shared. Just days later, after completing the necessary paperwork, Estrada was in the operating room. Four weeks post-surgery, he’s back to work and feeling like a new man.
Dr. Romo was delighted to see the change in Estrada’s demeanor. “You’d think he won an Olympic gold medal,” Romo said, describing Estrada’s post-surgery photos. “He’s standing tall, smiling, and full of confidence.”
For Dr. Romo, helping people like Estrada is about more than just physical transformation. “Confidence makes a better and more productive person in society,” Romo believes. “I’m committed to supporting my community and helping it thrive.”
Estrada is deeply grateful for the help he received. “I believe God sent an angel to take care of me—and that’s how I see Dr. Romo,” he said, expressing his joy at finally being able to enjoy life without the burden of his condition.