Chapter 2: My Journey as a Rhinoplasty Surgeon
From art and science to surgical mastery - how a life in faces took shape.
From a young age, I was captivated by the interplay between form and function, art and science. Born into a family of artists, my perception of beauty was shaped not just by anatomical precision but by an intuitive sense of harmony, proportion, and movement. My mother, an accomplished painter, could capture the essence of a subject with a few confident strokes, while my father, a literary man and poet, wove stories that evoked deep emotion. Growing up in this environment, I developed an appreciation for the nuances that make something truly beautiful. But beauty, I quickly learned, was not just about aesthetics - it was about purpose, balance, and the invisible forces that give life its unique expressions.
This artistic foundation, coupled with a fascination for the human form, ultimately led me to a career in medicine. As I navigated the rigorous academic path of becoming a surgeon, I found myself drawn to the face - not just as a structure of soft tissue and bone but as a canvas of human emotion and identity. I realized that rhinoplasty, more than any other surgical discipline, required an extraordinary fusion of technical expertise, artistic vision, and an uncompromising commitment to excellence. It was not simply about altering anatomy; it was about sculpting a nose that seamlessly enhances the patient’s features while maintaining structural integrity and function.
My journey in medicine was anything but linear. I was born in Tehran, Iran, and moved to the United States as a teenager. As an immigrant, I carried with me the dual perspective of my heritage and my adopted home - a perspective that would later shape my approach to understanding facial aesthetics across different ethnicities. I pursued a Bachelor of Science in Neuroscience at the University of Texas at Dallas, driven by an insatiable curiosity for cognition, behavior, and the complexities of the human brain. My studies took me to Université de Paris, where I immersed myself in the humanities, backpacked across Europe, and even played flamenco guitar as a street musician. Though far removed from surgery, these experiences refined my artistic eye and deepened my understanding of the human experience - elements that now inform my approach to every rhinoplasty I perform.
Medical school at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio was where my path solidified. A pivotal moment came when I met a young man born with a cleft lip, his condition untreated due to limited access to care. His story of social isolation and struggle resonated deeply with me, reinforcing my belief that the face is central to self-identity and confidence. This encounter led my wife and me to establish Chance to Smile, a nonprofit dedicated to providing surgical care to individuals with facial anomalies in underprivileged communities. It was here that I first experienced the transformative power of facial surgery - not just in terms of physical change but in restoring confidence and dignity.
My post-graduate training took me to some of the most prestigious institutions in the world. I completed my residency in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery at the New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mount Sinai, one of the most competitive programs in the country. I was privileged to train under pioneers in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery, expanding my knowledge in both aesthetic and reconstructive techniques. But my thirst for mastery pushed me further. I sought out the best surgeons globally, traveling to France, Turkey, Spain, and South America to learn from the masters of rhinoplasty. I spent invaluable time under Dr. Yves Saban and Dr. Teoman Dogan, whose techniques and philosophies profoundly influenced my surgical approach. I also trained in preservation rhinoplasty, ultrasonic techniques, and scarless rhinoplasty, becoming one of the few surgeons in the United States formally trained in these highly advanced methods.
Before dedicating myself entirely to facial aesthetics, I spent years as the Medical Director of Head and Neck Oncologic and Reconstructive Surgery in Dallas, leading one of the region’s largest centers for complex head and neck cancer reconstruction. This period was transformative - I learned how to rebuild faces from nothing, restoring not only form but also function. My years in cancer and reconstructive surgery gave me an armamentarium of surgical skills and out-of-the-box thinking that I would not have had if I had been trained only in aesthetic surgery. Working with cancer patients instilled in me a deep sense of purpose and an unwavering commitment to precision. These experiences in complex reconstructive surgery set the foundation for my rhinoplasty practice, giving me an unparalleled understanding of nasal structure, function, and how to achieve natural, enduring results.
Surgical Teaching and Mentorship
Beyond my own surgical practice, I am deeply committed to teaching and mentorship. Surgeons from all over the world travel to New York to observe and learn from my techniques. Although on paper I am the instructor, I often find that I learn just as much from these surgeons as they do from me. Every perspective, every question, and every discussion broadens my own understanding and keeps me striving for continuous improvement.
My research and contributions to the field have been widely recognized. I have authored numerous peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and presented at international conferences, furthering the knowledge and advancement of facial plastic surgery. However, my philosophy remains rooted in humility - there is always something to learn, always a way to refine and perfect my craft. My commitment to excellence is not about accolades or recognition, but about the relentless pursuit of better outcomes for my patients.
The Aesthetic Lens
Beyond the technical expertise, what truly defines my approach is an obsession with achieving exceptional aesthetic outcomes. I do not believe in just good enough - I believe in creating something remarkable, something that enhances a person’s natural beauty without ever looking surgical or artificial. My artistic background has trained me to see nuances others might miss: the subtle shadows, the interplay of light, the way a nose harmonizes with the contours of a face. A well-done rhinoplasty should never scream surgery - it should look as though the patient was simply born with a beautiful, well-proportioned nose.
This relentless pursuit of perfection is what drives me every day. My patients entrust me with their faces, their identities, and their confidence. I take that responsibility seriously, knowing that every millimeter matters, that every decision in surgery has long-term consequences. To me, rhinoplasty is not just a procedure - it is an art form, a discipline that requires a lifetime of dedication and refinement.
As I reflect on my journey, I realize that every experience - from my childhood immersed in art to my years of reconstructive surgery, from my global training to my daily practice - has led me to this point. Rhinoplasty is not just what I do; it is an extension of who I am. The fusion of art and science, the balance of intuition and precision, the pursuit of beauty and function - this is what makes my work not just a profession, but a lifelong passion.
