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"I’ve seen nose jobs ruin confidence—and I’ve seen them completely transform someone’s life."

Dr. Susan Chobanian

Oct 16, 2025

EFR 902: The Biggest Myth About Rhinoplasty, 5-Minute Nose Job and Age vs Ethics in Plastic Surgery

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Beyond the Nose: How Rhinoplasty Impacts Confidence, Identity, and Mental Health

What if changing your nose could change your life?

In one of our most eye-opening and heartfelt conversations to date, I sat down with Dr. Susan Chobanian, a board-certified plastic surgeon known as the Queen of Rhinoplasty, to explore the truth behind nose jobs—from teenagers seeking confidence to adults correcting botched rhinoplasty surgeries. As one of Los Angeles’ most trusted surgeons, Dr. Chobanian brings decades of experience in both cosmetic and functional rhinoplasty, and she doesn’t hold back.

Follow Dr. Chobanian @drchobanian

Follow Chase @chase_chewning

🎙 The Nose Knows: More Than Just Aesthetic

As Dr. Chobanian explains, the nose is the most defining characteristic of the face—not just physically, but psychologically and socially. It can shape how we see ourselves and how the world sees us. For many of her patients, getting a rhinoplasty isn’t about vanity—it’s about self-worth, professional presence, and finally liking what they see in the mirror.

“The nose is the center of the face—it defines identity, ethnicity, and confidence.” — Dr. Susan Chobanian

🔍 From Teen Rhinoplasty to Botched Revisions

We dive into topics that are often overlooked in plastic surgery discussions:

  • The ethics of operating on patients as young as 14 or 15 years old

  • Mental health screenings and the role of psychologists in referrals

  • How to handle patients whose first surgery went wrong—and how Dr. Chobanian often fixes them using the closed rhinoplasty technique, a now-rare skill in the industry

“I’ve revised nose jobs done in Armenia, Mexico, New York—even ones that Botched turned down.” — Dr. Chobanian

💉 Liquid Nose Jobs: Trend or Trap?

We also cover the rise of the "5-minute nose job" using injectable fillers. While a non-surgical rhinoplasty may offer a short-term fix, Dr. Chobanian notes that most of these patients eventually opt for surgery.

“Liquid rhinoplasty can camouflage imperfections—but it won’t make the nose smaller or thinner. Eventually, patients want a permanent solution.”

🧠 The Link Between Plastic Surgery and Mental Health

What surprised me most was how deeply personal and emotionally transformative this work is. Dr. Chobanian sees how a nose job can restore someone’s confidence or, if done poorly, devastate their self-image. She’s passionate about ensuring that patients—not parents, not pop culture—are the ones making the decision.

“I’ve seen nose jobs ruin confidence—and I’ve seen them completely transform someone’s life.”

⚠️ Before You Go Under the Knife

We wrap the episode with practical advice on what makes someone a good candidate for rhinoplasty—both physically and mentally. From smoking and BMI concerns to managing expectations, Dr. Chobanian gives it to us straight.

Her bottom line?

“The best patients are confident, realistic, and healthy. That’s when the magic happens.”

👃 Key Takeaways:

  • A nose job isn’t about vanity—it’s about identity and empowerment.

  • Closed rhinoplasty may offer better healing and fewer scars, especially for younger or ethnic patients.

  • The biggest red flag? Unrealistic expectations or pressure from others.

  • Revision surgery is often about fixing technique—not necessarily malpractice.

  • Lifestyle choices like smoking and poor diet can dramatically affect surgical outcomes.

In this episode we discuss...

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction

02:15 – Why People Seek Nose Jobs

05:30 – Age Considerations: How Young is Too Young?

08:40 – Identity, Ethnicity & The Nose

12:15 – When Rhinoplasty Goes Wrong

16:45 – Open vs. Closed Rhinoplasty

20:50 – Global Trends & Medical Tourism Risks

24:20 – The Rise of Liquid Rhinoplasty

27:10 – Managing Patient Expectations

30:00 – Functional vs. Cosmetic Surgery

32:40 – Surgical Red Flags & Healing Protocols

36:30 – The Role of Mental Health in Plastic Surgery

40:10 – Ever Forward

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Episode resources:

Read More

EFR 902: The Biggest Myth About Rhinoplasty, 5-Minute Nose Job and Age vs Ethics in Plastic Surgery

Beyond the Nose: How Rhinoplasty Impacts Confidence, Identity, and Mental Health

What if changing your nose could change your life?

In one of our most eye-opening and heartfelt conversations to date, I sat down with Dr. Susan Chobanian, a board-certified plastic surgeon known as the Queen of Rhinoplasty, to explore the truth behind nose jobs—from teenagers seeking confidence to adults correcting botched rhinoplasty surgeries. As one of Los Angeles’ most trusted surgeons, Dr. Chobanian brings decades of experience in both cosmetic and functional rhinoplasty, and she doesn’t hold back.

Follow Dr. Chobanian @drchobanian

Follow Chase @chase_chewning

🎙 The Nose Knows: More Than Just Aesthetic

As Dr. Chobanian explains, the nose is the most defining characteristic of the face—not just physically, but psychologically and socially. It can shape how we see ourselves and how the world sees us. For many of her patients, getting a rhinoplasty isn’t about vanity—it’s about self-worth, professional presence, and finally liking what they see in the mirror.

“The nose is the center of the face—it defines identity, ethnicity, and confidence.” — Dr. Susan Chobanian

🔍 From Teen Rhinoplasty to Botched Revisions

We dive into topics that are often overlooked in plastic surgery discussions:

  • The ethics of operating on patients as young as 14 or 15 years old

  • Mental health screenings and the role of psychologists in referrals

  • How to handle patients whose first surgery went wrong—and how Dr. Chobanian often fixes them using the closed rhinoplasty technique, a now-rare skill in the industry

“I’ve revised nose jobs done in Armenia, Mexico, New York—even ones that Botched turned down.” — Dr. Chobanian

💉 Liquid Nose Jobs: Trend or Trap?

We also cover the rise of the "5-minute nose job" using injectable fillers. While a non-surgical rhinoplasty may offer a short-term fix, Dr. Chobanian notes that most of these patients eventually opt for surgery.

“Liquid rhinoplasty can camouflage imperfections—but it won’t make the nose smaller or thinner. Eventually, patients want a permanent solution.”

🧠 The Link Between Plastic Surgery and Mental Health

What surprised me most was how deeply personal and emotionally transformative this work is. Dr. Chobanian sees how a nose job can restore someone’s confidence or, if done poorly, devastate their self-image. She’s passionate about ensuring that patients—not parents, not pop culture—are the ones making the decision.

“I’ve seen nose jobs ruin confidence—and I’ve seen them completely transform someone’s life.”

⚠️ Before You Go Under the Knife

We wrap the episode with practical advice on what makes someone a good candidate for rhinoplasty—both physically and mentally. From smoking and BMI concerns to managing expectations, Dr. Chobanian gives it to us straight.

Her bottom line?

“The best patients are confident, realistic, and healthy. That’s when the magic happens.”

👃 Key Takeaways:

  • A nose job isn’t about vanity—it’s about identity and empowerment.

  • Closed rhinoplasty may offer better healing and fewer scars, especially for younger or ethnic patients.

  • The biggest red flag? Unrealistic expectations or pressure from others.

  • Revision surgery is often about fixing technique—not necessarily malpractice.

  • Lifestyle choices like smoking and poor diet can dramatically affect surgical outcomes.

In this episode we discuss...

00:00 – Welcome & Introduction

02:15 – Why People Seek Nose Jobs

05:30 – Age Considerations: How Young is Too Young?

08:40 – Identity, Ethnicity & The Nose

12:15 – When Rhinoplasty Goes Wrong

16:45 – Open vs. Closed Rhinoplasty

20:50 – Global Trends & Medical Tourism Risks

24:20 – The Rise of Liquid Rhinoplasty

27:10 – Managing Patient Expectations

30:00 – Functional vs. Cosmetic Surgery

32:40 – Surgical Red Flags & Healing Protocols

36:30 – The Role of Mental Health in Plastic Surgery

40:10 – Ever Forward

-----

Episode resources: