Reviews you can trust, from real people like you.      
How it works
  • Our highly-trained Review Moderation team evaluates all reviews before they're published to ensure they're written by people like you and not a member of a doctor's office.
  • This multi-step process takes up to 24 hours from review submission to publication.
  • Doctors can't pay to have reviews removed or hidden.
  • Reviews are only removed at the reviewer's request or if they violate our Terms of Service.

If you have questions or believe we should re-evaluate a published review, let us know.

Sort by:
*Treatment results may vary

Paid Him 25,000 to Ruin my Life

Choosing Dr. Ghavami for my rhinoplasty was the biggest regret of my life. Despite numerous warning signs, I proceeded with the operation to avoid losing my deposit. I write this review in the hope that it may prevent others from making a similar error. It's been nearly a year since surgery, and the journey has been challenging. If you're contemplating selecting him as your surgeon, please consider this review carefully; it could be crucial for you.

The first indication that something was amiss came during the consultation, which lasted no more than three minutes. The consultant outlined his desired changes to my nose and attempted to persuade me to enhance my chin. Right before my surgery we had the final conversation. He came into the room and he did not say much. He started writing notes. While he was writing, I tried to catch a glimpse. Afterall he was making plans for my nose. He looked at me and sarcastly said' " I went to med school for 8 years to understand this terminology trust me you won't understand. That comment did not sit well with me since I should of been included in the surgery plan for my noseHe suggested placing a rib graft on my nasal bridge to make my nose appear thinner and more defined. I conveyed to him that I did not want significant alterations; I actually like my nose and merely desired a smaller version of it. It was crucial for me to still recognize myself. He assured me, looking me in the eyes, that he would not make drastic changes and that it was better to do less initially, as I could always return for more. He also mentioned he would refrain from placing a rib graft between my eyes. A week later his medical assistant took of my cast. And to horror I was completly unrecongnizable. My nose was very long . .However, I was more horrified by what his medical assistant told me. She mentioned that due to his busy schedule, he has another doctor assist him with surgeries. She continued, explaining that when patients are offered an alternative doctor, they often decline, insisting that only Dr. Ghavami perform their surgeries. She revealed that unbeknownst to them, the other doctor conducts the rhinoplasty while they are under anesthesia, and they wake up very pleased with the results. I was shocked and my look of concern did not go unnoticed. She quickly added, "Of course, Dr. Ghavami is always there, overseeing the entire procedure." When I requested my surgery report, the office manager inquired about the reason for my request. I mentioned to her that there was noticeable swelling between my eyes, and I was unsure if it was due to swelling or the rib graft. After several months of persistence, I received the report. My nose has five grafts. The nasal tip, columella, bridge, and radix were all reconstructed with donor rib grafts. Additionally, a septal extension graft was used to elongate my nose. My original nasal bones were filed down, and the cartilage was removed. The nasal bones were aggressively narrowed, and the reconstructed nasal tip points downward. My nasal sills where cut out (look this up) so my nose look operated on. I was not informed nor did I consent to these extensive changes. The result does not align with my ethnic or gender identity, giving me a more masculine appearance. Moreover, the alteration of my nose's starting point above my eyes has significantly changed their appearance. My eyes now seem to protrude and stretch out, giving them an unnatural look. I am dealing with a radix deformity. The changes to my eyes have been more difficult than those to my new nose. I used to have nicely shaped eyes.Looking in the mirror and not recongining my eyes have been the hardest part. I'm aware that I can never fully recover my old nose since it was permanently altered too much. However, I'm hopeful that I can restore my eyes to their previous state. If a doctor can correct my eyes, I will post the pictures of what he did to my eyes. Currently, I wear glasses and a mask when I leave my house, so my coworkers are unaware of my appearance.I've received numerous negative remarks about my new appearance from family and friends, to the point where I prefer to cover my face. It's not that my family opposes surgery; in fact, they loved the rhinoplasty my sister got years ago. I'm simply exhausted from having to explain why my face looks entirely different. I've even been asked if my medical chart was mistakenly swapped with another patient's because I look completely unrecognizable. Please select your surgeon with caution. It's unsettling not to recognize your own eyes in the mirror. Only those who have experienced this can truly understand. If you are reading this and haven't had surgery yet, consider yourself fortunate. You still have time to make a choice. I no longer have that opportunity; my face was drastically changed and botched. I lack the privilege that many possess, which is the ability to recognize oneself. Do not take this for granted.I find myself crying several times a day. I am in therapy and have returned to church. My pastor reassures me that the changes made to my face are not my fault and that I did not ask for them.I am unattractive now, but I'm learning to accept it. Being married with children is a comfort; it would have been more difficult if I were younger and single. Here's some advice I wish I had before getting rhinoplasty:

Seek a doctor who specializes exclusively in facial plastic surgery rather than one who performs various types of surgery. As the adage goes, "A jack of all trades is a master of none."

It is standard practice for doctors to take photographs during consultations to review the nose together and develop a surgical plan. However, no photographs were taken during my consultation; they were only captured immediately before my surgery. Additionally, I was not provided with a surgical plan.

Seek a physician who can provide a digital simulation of your potential post-operative appearance. Although the 3D imagery may not be an exact representation, it will give you a sense of the expected outcome. In my search for revision surgery options, I discovered that many doctors now offer this technology. Having spent $25,000 on a primary rhinoplasty, one would assume Dr. Ghavimi might invest in such a system.

It's crucial to avoid surgeons who apply the same nose shape to every patient. Choose a surgeon who will take into account all your features during surgery. Rhinoplasty is never "one size fits all". The surgeon should take a personalized approach that is unique to each patient. In my case, my unique features were overlooked. I naturally have high cheekbones and a broad face, so a narrow, pointy, droopy nose doesn't complement my aesthetic. After some research, I discovered that the technique used on my nose is typically performed in Asian rhinoplasty, but I am not Asian. My eyes are naturally set close together, and the addition of a rib graft and elevation of my nose made my eyes appear even closer. It became clear to me that he gave me the same nose that he gave to another black patient.

Reviewing patient feedback is crucial. I would recommend avoiding an aggressive surgeon. A commonality among patients with unsatisfactory results is that they had an aggressive surgeon. I would do anything to regain my former appearance. After undergoing surgery to appear more youthful, I now seem at least a decade older. The pinched nasal bridge and sagging nose appear to have prematurely aged my face. Previously, I was often told I looked younger than my age, but recently, someone mistook my son for my grandson.

Provider Review

Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
433 N Camden Dr., Beverly Hills, California
Overall rating