3 minute read
In Better Health
with Dr. Claire Melancon of Audubon Facial Plastic Surgery
RACHEL SMART’S JOURNEY to improved health and confidence began at age 10 when a volleyball left her with a deviated septum and a noticeable bump on her nose. The ball’s impact resulted in a nose injury that worsened over time. In the years following, Rachel became self-conscious about her appearance, and her allergies worsened. Despite these issues, Rachel hesitated to pursue surgery.
At 23, she finally became open to the idea of surgery and began to look for the right surgeon. Her mother discovered Dr. Melancon and was impressed by her work, prompting Rachel to schedule an appointment with Audubon Facial Plastic Surgery in October 2023.
When Rachel entered the office, she knew she was in the right place. Dr. Melancon listened carefully to Rachel’s concerns, explained the options available, and provided photo-morphing to help Rachel envision what her nose could look like post-op. “Dr. Melancon pays such close attention to detail and has given me a new sense of confidence. She listened to my concerns and fears, created the best surgical approach for my nose, and reassured me that I was in good hands,” Rachel recalls.
Rachel’s case required Dr. Melancon to address the deviated septum while addressing her aesthetic concerns. She underwent rhinoplasty, septoplasty, and turbinate reduction, essential to restoring her breathing while simultaneously meeting her cosmetic goals. With all of Rachel’s goals for a natural, balanced, more feminine nose in mind, Dr. Melacon delivered a result tailored uniquely to Rachel, significantly improving her quality of life.
Pleased with the outcome, Rachel shares, “I am almost one-year post-op from my surgery, and I can truly say it was the best decision of my life. I finally can breathe better, but most importantly, I feel more confident about myself. Dr. Melancon and her staff are the nicest people and truly feel like family to us.” Rachel credits Dr. Melancon’s “brilliance and confidence in herself and her work, which ultimately led me to the best decision ever. She truly has a gift!”
Audubon Facial Plastic Surgery is located at 6001 Magazine St., Ste. D. 504-264-7833. audubonfacialplastics.com @drclairemelancon
ABOUT DR. MELANCON
C. Claire Melancon, M.D., is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon who owns Audubon Facial Plastic Surgery, which focuses only on the face and neck. She received her B.S. in biology from LSU, an M.S. in advanced biology from Tulane, and her M.D. from LSU in New Orleans. She then went on to complete residency in North Carolina at Wake Forest and a fellowship in Houston, TX. Specifically, she is an expert in challenging rhinoplasty, revision cases, and all aesthetic treatments of the face and neck.
