Dr. Smythe Rich, MD

I am proud to be a native South Carolinian, and my family and I enjoy all that the Palmetto State has to offer. As I look back on practicing facial plastic and reconstructive surgery over the years, my greatest joy has been seeing the satisfaction and sometimes happy tears of handing a patient the mirror after surgery. Those special moments make years of training, careful patient consultations, preparing, and executing a procedure all more than worth it. Many of the procedures we performed back in the '90s are still essential because they do exactly what the patient wants: reduce a large nose, slim or tighten a neckline or face, or address tired, baggy eyes. Our field is progressing steadily to provide more comfortable and natural enhancement to one's appearance; lasers and minimally invasive procedures are now well known. As an early injector, it was a real privilege to teach advanced techniques across the US at the most prestigious offices and Universities. Our most significant improvement in 20 years has been adding volume to restore or create a higher cheekbone or defined jawline. This more sophisticated use of filler to frame the outside of the face allows less filler to be needed centrally. Overcorrection here often giving stiff, unnatural smiles and bloated faces. Today many providers have these skills. But still, a few people's overcorrections produce fear giving pause to someone looking to simply fill in lip lines. When someone can point out aesthetic work, I think of that as "expensive ugly." You lose a little dignity and privacy when features are distorted. The most attractive trait in one's appearance is confidence. Our staff strives to achieve a natural look that may be difficult to ascertain by your friends. I feel looking "overdone" is something far worse than looking a little tired. When someone has a positive cosmetic experience, you realize that "good work" walks right by you every day, unnoticed. Our goal is to make it look like you have never been here. Consultations in person, or virtual, are a great way to explore options.