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Dr. Amit Kochhar, MD

Dr. Amit Kochhar, MD

Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery*

Dr. Amit Kochhar, MD is an otolaryngology-head and neck surgery specialist in Santa Monica, CA. He is affiliated with Providence Saint John's Health Center. He is accepting new patients and telehealth appointments.

4.8 Star Rating
Based on 50 reviews 4.8 Star Rating (50 reviews)

Pacific Neuroscience Institute

2125 Arizona Ave Santa Monica, CA 90404
Telehealth available

Compare with other Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Specialists

Compare Dr. Kochhar with our nearby Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Specialists at Los Robles Regional Medical Center.

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Make an appointment at Los Robles Regional Medical Center today at
(805) 724-0488.

Dr. Kochhar is a Healthgrades Choice provider in Ear, Nose, and Throat

The Healthgrades Choice designation helps you understand the most important factors to consider when choosing a healthcare professional. This designation is earned based on four set standards.
Read our methodology

  • Above average experience
  • Good hospital quality
  • Good patient ratings
  • No healthcare sanctions

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Dr. Kochhar's Reviews

Likelihood to recommend Dr. Kochhar

4.8
50 ratings, 47 with a written review
5 star
92%
92%
4 star
0%
0%
3 star
4%
4%
2 star
0%
0%
1 star
4%
4%

Your trust is our top concern.

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Amazing!
Very friendly staff and Dr Kochar took his time with me to make me feel comfortable. He explained everything in detail and did amazing work. He’s a specialist and it shows. My recovery was seamless and I can breath better than I have my entire life. I would definitely recommend him to a family member or friend.
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Mar 06, 2025
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I highly recommend Dr. Kochhar. I was never able to breathe properly through my nose but after he performed a functional rhinoplasty I can now breathe. He is effective, efficient, and compassionate.
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
Helpful
Paul – Jan 29, 2025
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A new lease on life
Dramatic review title. But I had a hole in my nasal septum that was vastly impacting my quality of life. Without surgery, it would have only gotten worse. 3 months ago Dr. Kochaar performed surgery to repair the perforation and I couldn't be happier with the results. I wanted to look exactly the same, just wanted to be able to breathe with ease and to not suffer from daily nose bleeds. Mission accomplished. He was very compassionate and explained in detail what I would be going through. He answered every question I had. In addition, his surgical staff and post op nurses have all been incredibly kind.
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
  • Long wait times
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
Nat_LA – Aug 22, 2024
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Very rude
I went to see Amit Kocchar for my enlarged turbinates and deviated septum. He recommended going under and doing everything at once including rhino, which I was not prepared for. I told him I would need to think about it, then he started telling me how awful my nose looked inside and out. He's right, my nose is crooked a little on outside as well, but it's my choice whether to fix it or live with it. It's unnecessary to insult someone just to justify your opinion. He never smiled even once, never introduced himself at the beginning. Overall, a very rude doctor.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • I didn't feel respected
  • Didn't listen or answer questions
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Appointment was rushed
  • Didn't trust the provider's decisions
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
FK – Feb 29, 2024
Thank you for your feedback. We sincerely... Read More
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5 Star Service and Quality
Dr. Kochar could not have done a better job with my septoplasty. He was professional, responsive and a pleasure to work with. Highly recommended.
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
4 others found this helpful
Helpful
Jan 18, 2024
Thank you for sharing your positive experience.... Read More
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Great doctor
I went to Dr Kochhar for a septoplasty. I had a pretty twisted septum and required a complicated surgery to fix it. I also had a sinus infection which required him to perform the surgery alongside a sinus specialist. Overall, I am very happy with the results. My breathing feels like a wind tunnel now! Dr Kochhar thoroughly briefed me on the procedure so that I felt comfortable going into the surgery. He has a great bedside manner and made me feel at ease throughout the entire process. He is always happy to answer any questions and the staff is great. My multiple follow ups have been smooth and quick. Highly recommend.
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
5 others found this helpful
Helpful
May 27, 2023
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Excellent Doctor
Doctor Kochhar is an excellent doctor and has a great quality of care. He listens and addresses. All concerns. I would highly recommend him.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
6 others found this helpful
Helpful
Apr 20, 2023
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Life Changing
I was so worried about facial surgery but it couldn’t have been easier and being able to breathe is incredible
What went well
  • I felt respected
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
9 others found this helpful
Helpful
Apr 12, 2023
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Incredible
Dr. Kochhar has truly done so much for me to help me feel like myself again
What went well
No results
What could be improved
No results
9 others found this helpful
Helpful
GV – Apr 10, 2023
Our clinic aims to deliver the highest quality... Read More
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Expert doctor
Dr Kochar is an amazing Dr with incredible knowledge and great expertise if you have a medical issue in his field of expertise he’s simply the best Dr you can find anywhere!
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
6 others found this helpful
Helpful
Scott Freedman – Feb 10, 2023
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The Best of the best!
Dr. Kochhar has been such a god send to me. I had such difficulty with my breathing and found out I had a deviated septum along with other issues. Not only did he fix me, but I was able to breathe through my nose the moment I woke up from surgery. It was truly life changing. He is very professional, kind, and took the time to answer all of my questions and concerns. I’m forever grateful for Dr. Kochhar for giving me my life back. I recommend him highly!
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
Elizabeth M. – Dec 17, 2022
We are so glad to hear that we exceeded your... Read More
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Amazing Dr.
Had difficulties breathing due to an accident when I was small. Had a deviated septum and my nostrils completely uneven. Was planning surgery for many years but something always came up. But then god lead me to Dr. Kochhar I couldn’t have been any happier. Results were amazing recovery was really good. I have been getting so many compliments he actually brought my confidence back. If you need a professional experience Dr. he’s the one! Thank you Dr. Kochhar ??
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
Jessica Martinez – Dec 17, 2022
Our clinic aims to deliver the highest quality... Read More
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Great Doctor, severe time-management issues
I had my nose fixed by Dr. Kochhar and I am able to breathe so much better which I'm very grateful for. The recovery went according to plan. Medically I can only give Dr. Kochhar 5 stars. The post-op visit process, however, has been quite disappointing from my perspective, between cancelling appointments the day of and wait times between 1 and 2.5 hours. I have not been able to be seen for my 2nd post-op for these reasons and am not sure if I'm still on the post-op radar unless I make the effort and go through the whole tedious scheduling process once again only to be seen for a couple minutes.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Office environment
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
  • Staff wasn't friendly
  • Long wait times
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
Matej Purg – Apr 20, 2022
We value your feedback and would love the... Read More
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Top notch
Professional, talented and extremely responsive doctor.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
  • Difficult to schedule appointment
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
Emeli Emanuelson – Mar 14, 2022
Our clinic aims to deliver the highest quality... Read More
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Well received. Informed decisions Options reviewed and future treatments and expectations explained
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
5 others found this helpful
Helpful
William Trobaugh – Sep 28, 2021
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Dr. Kochhar is the absolute best! After a previous botched rhinoplasty in my late teens, and a pointless septoplasmy 5 years ago, I had given up hope that my nose could ever look even slightly normal or that I would ever be able to breathe through it again. Then I found Dr. Kochhar! From our first consultation he was so professional and so warm and friendly. He explained what he needed to do, and patiently listened to my concerns due to my previous surgeries. As Dr. Kochhar had to use my rib for the cartilage, I decided to do a breast augmentation/lift while I was under the same day. Dr. Kochhar did my nose, and Dr. Zampel did my boobs (they work together quite often). The results are already AMAZING - and I am only 7 days post op. Like Dr. Kochhar, Dr. Zampel is wonderful - they are the dream team for boobs and nose! I am so grateful to both of these incredible surgeons for not only doing a phenomenal job with the surgery, but for also taking such good care of me post and pre-op.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
3 others found this helpful
Helpful
Mary Mullane – Aug 06, 2021
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Had surgery with Dr Amit Kochhar for a collapsed nasal valve on one side and deviated septum. The surgery for deviated septum went very well without complications. I recovered rapidly. After packing was removed I was able to breath better. No bruising. The nose looked aesterically great, and there was no substantial difference with the 'before' looks. The swelling takes a number of weeks to completely disappear. Dr Amit and his staff are very competent and patient friendly. Athony who coordianted the paperwork and eeverything else for me was superb. I would definitely recommend Dr Kochhar tto my friends and relatives.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
No results
5 others found this helpful
Helpful
Marie Jose Deutsch – Aug 05, 2021
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I suffered from difficulty breathing through my nose due to nasal valve collapse. The problem resulted from a failed septoplasty and turbinate reduction operation that took place in 2016. After my 2016 operation, I underwent two additional corrective operations that were a failure. My breathing worsened and my nose problem became a nightmare. Unfortunately I developed Nasal Valve Collapse and too much Cartilage had been removed from my Nose. (Proceed with Caution if you decide on any Nose procedure). In 2019, I was fortunate to meet Dr. Kochhar, his ability to let me explain what my symptoms were, and his bedside manners made a big difference. He quickly identified my health issue and provided me with information that made me comfortable that his proposed solution would work, and it did. I am very grateful to Dr. Kochhar. I highly recommend him. He is not only an excellent doctor but a wonderful human being. Thank you.
What went well
  • Office environment
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
  • Wait times
What could be improved
No results
5 others found this helpful
Helpful
Jul 24, 2021
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This review is a critique of Dr. Kochhar's staff and not the doctor himself. I waited 2 weeks for my appointment, and was asked to leaved because I supposedly had COVID symptoms. What were my symptoms? A very occasional sore throat, which has continued for 4 weeks. This is not COVID, especially with a normal temperature. And if the office wants to consider it COVID they knew my symptoms in advance and could have told me not to come or to get a COVID test first. They didn't do that and I wasted a couple of hours today that I could have used more productively.
What went well
No results
What could be improved
  • Long wait times
2 others found this helpful
Helpful
Art – Jul 20, 2021
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My teenager had some keloids, and Dr. Kochar did an incredible job of removing them surgically and rebuilding the area. Dr. Kochar was calm, professional, knowledgeable and empathic. Dr. Kochar suggested pairing the surgery with a bit of radiation, a newer technique that has had a lot of success with keeping keloids from growing back. He connected us with a great team at Children’s Hospital that was supportive and very helpful. I highly recommend Dr. Kochar.
What went well
  • Appointment scheduling
  • Listened & answered questions
  • Explained conditions well
  • Staff friendliness
  • Appointment wasn't rushed
  • Trusted the provider's decisions
What could be improved
  • Long wait times
4 others found this helpful
Helpful
May 25, 2021
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About Me

Watch Dr. Kochhar's Video

care philosophy

His patients appreciate his compassion, expertise and rare combination of aesthetic and reconstructive surgical skills. Dr. Kochhar believes that each patient has unique experiences and perspectives that shape their goals of treatment. Thus, he...read more

biography

Dr. Amit Kochhar, MD, is double board-certified in Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery. He is the director of the Facial Nerve Disorders Program at Pacific Eye, Ear & Skull Base Center, Pacific Neuroscience...read more
  • Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery

  • Ear, Nose, and Throat

  • Cosmetic, Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery

*Healthgrades does not verify qualifications for medical specialties. Please verify your provider's specialty and qualifications directly with your provider and applicable medical board.

  • University Of California, Los Angeles David Geffen School Of Medicine

    Fellowship Hospital
  • University Of Maryland

    Undergraduate School
  • Ucla

    Fellowship Hospital, 2016
  • Johns Hopkins Hospital

    Residency Hospital, 2015
  • Johns Hopkins School Of Medicine

    Residency Hospital, 2014
  • Johns Hopkins School Of Medicine

    Internship Hospital, 2008
  • University Of Maryland, College Park - Biology And Neurophysiology

    Undergraduate School, 2002
American Board of Medical Specialties®
American Board of Otolaryngology
Otolaryngology
American Board of Otolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery®
Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery
American Board of Physician Specialties®
American Board of Physician Specialties
Otorhinolaryngology
American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery®
American Board of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Plastic Surgery & Facial Surgery
Self designated 
For detailed information about any of the below board actions, please search for the provider's records on the linked state licensing board or the Federation of State Medical Boards. To learn more about the difference between these sources, please refer to our FAQs.
Healthgrades has not received any data indicating a board action exists for this provider.

Dr. Kochhar is a Healthgrades Choice provider in Ear, Nose, and Throat

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    Locations

    Pacific Neuroscience Institute

    Center for Healthy Aging2125 Arizona Ave Santa Monica, CA 90404
    1
    • Call
    • Fax
    • Hours
      • Mon: 8:30am - 5:00pm
      • Tue: 8:30am - 5:00pm
      • Wed: 8:30am - 5:00pm
      • Thu: 8:30am - 5:00pm
      • Fri: 8:30am - 5:00pm
      • Sat: closed
      • Sun: closed
    • Directions

    Practice

    Pacific Neuroscience Institute2125 Arizona Ave Santa Monica, CA 90404
    2