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West Michigan Girl Undergoes Third Surgery to Reconstruct Nose

A Beaumont surgical team, led by Kongkrit Chaiyasate, reconstructs the nose of a Charlotte Ponce, who was severely disfigured as an infant in a raccoon attack.

Charlotte Ponce, 10, of Spring Lake, underwent her third surgery on Friday, Nov. 2 to reconstruct her nose and upper lip. Surgeons from Beaumont's Ian Jackson Craniofacial and Cleft Palate Clinic were pleased with her progress. She is expected to go home tomorrow.

A raccoon attack, when she was an infant, left the West Michigan girl severely disfigured.

During the third procedure, the medical team thinned her nose, enhancing its shape and they began reconstructing her upper lip. Skin from her lower lip was grafted to create an upper lip.

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Because of the surgery to her lips, Charlotte will be unable to eat solid foods or open her mouth for a few weeks.

“It’ll be rough for a couple weeks, but this will all be worth it, you know, in the end,” explained Charlotte's adoptive mother Sharon Ponce to WXYZ's Alicia Smith.

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Charlotte is expected to return to Beaumont Children's Hospital on Nov. 16 for her fourth round of surgery.

Over the next two years, the surgical team, led by Kongkrit Chaiyasate, M.D., director, Reconstructive Microsurgery at Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, will reconstruct her nose, upper lip and ear.

RELATED:

  • Girl Attacked By Raccoon a Decade Ago Ready to Undergo Facial Reconstruction at Beaumont
  • VIDEO: It's Round Two of Nose Reconstruction Surgery for Charlotte Ponce
  • Sweetest Face: Charlotte Ponce's Surgery a Success
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