Navid Pourtaheri, MD, PhD
Plastic Surgeon
490 Post St Suite 1701 San Francisco CA, 94102About
Skilled in the field of plastic surgery, Dr. Navid Pourtaheri is the Founder and Lead Surgeon of Bay Area Esthetics, with offices in San Francisco and Petaluma, California. Bay Area Esthetics is a plastic surgery clinic that provides patient-centered, state-of-the-art, world-class care. They pride themselves in listening to their patients and providing truly unique solutions based on their circumstances and preferences. As a plastic surgeon, Dr. Pourtaheri specializes in breast augmentation, comprehensive rhinoplasty (both functional and esthetic), eyelid surgery, orthognathic (jaw) surgery, facelift, body contouring, and craniofacial surgery.
Navid Pourtaheri, MD, PhD's Videos
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Duke University Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy 0
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Navid Pourtaheri, MD, PhD's Expert Contributions
Under eye bags?
Hi! Fat transfer to the lower eyelids is a good option if volume loss is the issue. For loose skin or wrinkles sometimes a laser treatment or peel can help. A lower blepharoplasty can address both of these issues. Filler injection is an option that can last up to 12-18 months and an option for some patients and cost less than surgery. My office would be happy to arrange a consultation for you to see me to discuss further if you wish. Either way, I hope this helps answer your questions. READ MORE
When can I stop wearing a surgical bra after breast augmentation?
Hi! Every surgeon has different protocols. It is important to discuss this question with the surgeon who performed your procedure. I typically ask patients to wear a supportive bra for 6 weeks after breast augmentation. This does not have to be the surgical bra provided on the day of surgery - it can be a sports bra or other supporting bra you pick ourselves. Depending on the position of the incision, you may want to avoid a bra with an under-wire. You do not want anything to dig into your incisions while they are healing. The support of a bra helps keep the implant in place while the pocket is healing, which roughly takes 6 weeks. The day after surgery, you can take breaks from wearing your bra to shower and dry yourself. I hope this helps! READ MORE
How long does pain last after breast augmentation?
The vast majority of my breast augmentation patients do not experience pain or bruising after surgery. Many returns to work the day following surgery and are able to avoid narcotic pain medications. I use long-acting numbing medications and am careful to not dissect into the pectoralis muscles. This helps reduce the incidence of postoperative pain and bruising in my patients. I most often place breast implants under the muscle and use careful dissection to lift the muscle without injuring it. I usually make the incision under the breast and not in the armpit or around the nipple which allows me to fully see and protect the muscle during surgery. If you are experiencing pain after a breast augmentation, the intensity and quality of that pain are important to point out to your doctor. If a nerve was accidentally incorporated into a suture, or the muscle itself was injured then you may need alternative medications like gabapentin or Flexeril to help with your discomfort. Please discuss this problem with your surgeon. READ MORE
Why does my nose still look bigger after rhinoplasty?
It is common to have swelling 4 weeks after a rhinoplasty. If the goal of surgery was to make your nose smaller, then it should get smaller once the swelling comes down, That can take roughly 3 months to appreciate. READ MORE
Can you sleep on your side after rhinoplasty?
Yes. You should be able to sleep on your side after rhinoplasty. For the first 48 to 72 hours it is best to sleep with your head elevated on a few pillows to help with the egress of swelling. But of course, everyone needs sleep, so if you cannot sleep with your head elevated it is important to discuss this with your doctor. READ MORE
When can I get my nose wet after rhinoplasty?
I let my patients get their noses wet after rhinoplasty when the splints are removed. If you had a minor rhinoplasty procedure and no splints were required, I allow my patients to get their noses wet the day following surgery. Swimming is a different story and should probably be avoided - for at least 2 weeks. READ MORE
Can old scars be removed?
Yes. We can remove the old scars by excising them and reclosing the area. Sometimes patients only need laser treatments to improve. It is a good question to ask during your consultation. READ MORE
How long does it take for nose to look normal after rhinoplasty?
Congratulations. 3 weeks after rhinoplasty you can expect o have a significant amount of swelling and some minor discomfort. If you underwent an open rhinoplasty having a numb nose at this time is also very common. Depending on the type of techniques used, your swelling can last anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months and in some cases up to a year. It is important to ask your doctor about the technique they plan to use, and what to expect in terms of recovery after rhinoplasty. If you are a patient seeking a second opinion on rhinoplasty, feel free to reach out to our office to schedule a visit. READ MORE
Can stretch marks be removed permanently?
Hi there. Stretch marks can be annoying in their appearance or the way they feel. They are quite common after pregnancy, weight gain, or growth spurts. It is good to know how much they bother a patient when pursuing options. there are certain creams that can improve the appearance of stretch marks. There are also treatment options like microneedling that can more dramatically improve the texture of stretch marks after a few rounds. Surgically excising the stretched skin during a tummy tuck is also a common option. All of these would make permanent changes to the stretch marks. Cutting them out with a tummy tuck can be the most direct route. If you would like to know if you are a candidate for certain procedures or options to treat stretch marks, please feel free to reach out to our office to schedule a consultation with me. READ MORE
Can a rhinoplasty hurt years later?
Great question. It depends on the source of your pain. The nasal bones roughly take 6 weeks to heal and they can be painful if they have not completely healed yet. As far as the internal structures of the nose, they can produce discomfort if you are breathing in dry air or and they become irritated. Sinus infections can cause referred nasal pain. Lastly, an infection of the nose itself can cause pain. This would manifest itself typically with some redness in addition to the pain. If any of these are happening you can reach out to your rhinoplasty surgeon for a visit to have an examination. Usually rhinoplasty patients feel numb over there nose for a while after rhinoplasty. Having pain of the nose two years after surgery is unusual and you should probably be seen by a doctor. I hope this helps. READ MORE
Does nose job last forever?
Excellent question! A nose job, or rhinoplasty, should last for the rest of your life if done well. The overlying skin can change with the rest of your face skin, but overall the nose should maintain roughly the same shape and position. The nose can shift after rhinoplasty surgery if there is inadequate support left behind. One of the most common reasons is from leaving behind inadequate tip support, or over-resecting the septum. This can lead to a tip drooping, the nose becoming deviated (crooked), or in some cases the nose can collapse. It is important to ask your surgeon about the technique they plan to use. Open rhinoplasty procedures allows some surgeons to reliably make more powerful changes to the nose. However, open rhinoplasty may also disrupt the structure of the nose more than closed rhinoplasty techniques if appropriate sutures and grafts are not placed. Using a columella strut, tip grafts, or spreader grafts can help keep portions of your nose straight and supported after open rhinoplasty. If you are a patient seeking a second opinion on rhinoplasty or need a revision, please feel free to reach out to our office to schedule a consultation with me. We are happy to make travel arrangements if you are coming from out of state. Navid Pourtaheri, MD, PhD Bay Area Esthetics Plastic Surgery San Francisco and Sonoma County www.baeplasticsurgery.com Instagram: baeplasticsurgery (415)-523-5235 READ MORE
Is it normal to have uneven breasts after augmentation?
Hi,If breasts are asymmetric before augmentation then it is not uncommon for slight asymmetry to exist after augmentation. Certain forms of asymmetry are correctable at the time of augmentation, for example, if one breast is larger than the other, different sized implants can be placed to help make them more similar. Or if the nipples are not at the same level one can be raised slightly at the time of augmentation. Other types of asymmetry can happen after augmentation such as the implant moving from its intended position or capsular contracture which is uncommon but can happen later. If you have asymmetry and are concerned and would like to know your options, we would be happy to provide you with a complimentary examination/consultation. READ MORE
Areas of expertise and specialization
Fellowships
- Yale University School of Medicine Craniofacial Surgery 2020
Fellowships
- Yale University School of Medicine - 2020Craniofacial Surgery
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Get to know Plastic Surgeon Dr. Navid Pourtaheri, who serves patients throughout the state of Northern California.
An established plastic surgeon, Dr. Pourtaheri is the lead surgeon at Bay Area Esthetics. Their primary offices are in San Francisco and Petaluma, California. Dr. Pourtaheri’s expertise is in facelift, comprehensive rhinoplasty (both functional and esthetic), orthognathic (jaw) surgery, eyelid surgery, craniofacial surgery, breast augmentation, and body contouring.
His passion for plastic surgery stems from the artistry, creativity, and compassion involved in the work he performs, and the relationships he builds with his patients. His unique problem-solving approach and genuine desire to understand his patient’s needs makes the solutions he provides truly unique and patient-centered. He approaches every procedure as an opportunity to provide his patients with the best outcome possible.
Growing up in New Orleans, Louisiana, Dr. Pourtaheri attended Tulane University on a full scholarship and received two Bachelor of Science degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering, graduating with Departmental Honors. He then attended Duke University on a full scholarship where he obtained his Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees in Biomedical Engineering as well as his Medical Degree (MD).
As a medical student at Duke, he was elected student-body president and inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society as a top-8 student in his class. He has been the recipient of numerous awards and honors for scholastic performance, humanism, and scientific achievement.
Subsequently, Dr. Pourtaheri completed his residency in plastic surgery at Case Western Reserve University with Dr. Bahman Guyuron, a world-renowned expert in plastic surgery of the face and nose. He then went on to complete his fellowship in craniofacial surgery at Yale University where he was also a Clinical Instructor and worked alongside world experts in jaw surgery, rhinoplasty, and craniofacial surgery.
Upon the completion of his clinical training, he was recruited to Indiana University where he served as an Assistant Professor of Surgery and the Director of Cleft and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery. He then moved to Northern California to be near family and started Bay Area Esthetics.
Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty involving the restoration, reconstruction, or alteration of the human body. It can be divided into two main categories – cosmetic and reconstructive surgery. A plastic surgeon’s primary responsibility is performing surgical and non-surgical procedures to help patients achieve their goals. Dr. Pourtaheri enjoys performing cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery because he feels by doing both, he is able to maintain his proficiency operating on any part of the face and body. As a surgeon, he enjoys staying on the cutting edge. He has contributed much to the field of plastic surgery through textbooks, journals, presentations, and invited lectures across the globe.
Outside of work, Dr. Pourtaheri enjoys cooking for his family, swimming, hiking, and traveling.
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