Dr. 90210 - Lauren

Episode 7
Premiered: August 29, 2004

The Surgeon: Dr. Raj Kanodia

On this episode of Dr. 90210, Dr. Kanodia helps a teen struggling with her self-image, but is the surgery worth the risk?

Dr. Kanodia:

During this episode, we are fully introduced to Dr. Kanodia. He goes to the gym and works out with his private pilates instructor. He also lifts weights and been doing it for 30 years, it’s a release for him.

Dr. Kanodia has a home in Bel Air, which he purchased in 1994. He had the place remolded, which was almost like plastic surgery. He talks about how his father was a strong influence on him. At his home, Dr. Kanodia holds a get together with 40 to 60 guests comprising of patients, friends and acquaintances. This is a monthly event for him.

At the beginning of the episode, we see Dr. Kanodia performing minimally-invasive procedures on his patient Lori to help her get ready for a hot date on Friday. She wants to look fresher, so Dr. Kanodia administers Botox injections and also injects Vitamin C and other nutrients into her face. Now we are introduced to our main patient for this episode.

Patient: Lauren

Lauren is 16 years old, from Reseda, CA, and wants to undergo rhinoplasty so that she can be more comfortable with herself.

At 13, Lauren started hating her nose. People started calling her names like Pinocchio. The doctors on the show say that consistent ridicule can leave psychological scars. Lauren has been playing golf since she was 7, and needs to be confident with herself to help her go pro. Having self-confidence, self-assurance and being happy with who she is, that is what Lauren wants.

Lauren meets with Dr. Kanodia at his office for a consultation. The doctor shows Lauren a photo of herself and what she could look like after surgery, which is a more refined image. Dr. Kanodia tells her that he will refine the bump by making it straight and even, narrow the bone structure because the base is to wide, then the bulbous part of the nose will also be refined.

The night before surgery, Lauren is very anxious. Her friends, and even some of her relatives have told her that she does not need a nose job. Lauren is in tears and nervous. She is thinking what if she won’t like it or that the operation will not meet her expectations, or some complications might happen.

The day of surgery arrives. Lauren first has her vital signs taken, and then undergoes anesthesia. During the surgery, Dr. Kanodia has the lights turned off. This helps him to be more focused on the nose. He surgical corrects a deviated septum that will help Lauren breathe easier for the rest of her life. The doctor then trims an extra piece of cartilage and narrows the bone. All the projection of Lauren’s nose is gone. The nose comes out just the way Dr. Kanodia envisioned it. A few changes to the nose, even millimeters, can make a huge difference.

While the surgery is taking place, Lauren’s family is wondering why it is taking so long. The surgery is complete, however Lauren is not waking up from the anesthesia. Her family is in the waiting room, worrying about what’s going on. However Lauren finally wakes up, a little longer than expected. Her family goes in to see her and Lauren’s mother notices the change in her daughter’s nose.

One week later, Lauren is back at Dr. Kanodia’s office and ready to have the splint removed from her nose. Her new nose is unveiled and the first thing Lauren noticed was that there were no more bumps and that her nose looks natural.

Four weeks later, Lauren is playing golf for the first time since undergoing surgery. She was not allowed to put her face down after surgery or else bleeding and other complications might have occurred. Since the surgery, she is more comfortable going out with people and she is more confident with herself. That small change made a huge difference.

To learn more about the each of the procedures featured on this week’s show, please follow the links below:

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