Overview
Choosing a rhinoplasty surgeon in San Francisco involves more than comparing before-and-after photos. This guide examines seven Bay Area rhinoplasty practices based on publicly available information about their credentials, rhinoplasty techniques, areas of focus, consultation and planning tools, recovery guidance, and pricing transparency. It covers cosmetic, functional, primary, revision, teen, Asian, and male rhinoplasty, along with options such as 3-D imaging and computer simulation. The guide is intended to help patients prepare for consultations, understand their options, and identify questions to discuss with a qualified surgeon rather than serve as a definitive ranking of surgical expertise or outcomes.
Best Rhinoplasty Surgeon in San Francisco
Most nose-surgery consumers are more than familiar with before & after pictures. They're a common starting place, but you should be aware that a gallery represents the cases a practice selected to show.
The distinction between one surgeon and another is often the minutiae: the different options they may provide you, how they collaborate with you to conceptualize your results, and what you can expect in terms of recovery. In this primer, we explore seven Bay Area practices based solely on what each practitioner reveals about himself or herself.
What Rhinoplasty Can and Can't Fix
A rhinoplasty alters the size or shape of the nose and/or the proportions of your nose to other facial features. Rhinoplasty can also refine the function of the nose. A clinical review of rhinoplasty discusses cosmetic rhinoplasty, repairing the nose after injury, and correcting a deviated septum.
A client typically comes in requesting to remove a bump from the bridge, sharpen a wide tip, lift a droopy tip, narrow a wide nostril, or straighten a crooked nose. What a facelift or rhinoplasty cannot do is turn out to be someone else's nose. The best outcome should look as if it has always been yours.
Open rhinoplasty involves a tiny cut between the nostrils, which gives the surgeon a direct view of the framework. Closed rhinoplasty makes all the cuts entirely within the nostrils and tends to be better for less extensive adjustments.
How We Chose These Surgeons
All practices here are doing rhinoplasty in San Francisco or the greater Bay Area. We took the time to go through every surgeon's website individually and compare them on these same points, rather than trusting third-party rankings.
Those were stated advantages, techniques they use, planning methods, post-treatment advice, and their transparency regarding charges. Our aim was not to assess surgical expertise or the success of outcomes – there's simply no way to do that responsibly from one website. Think of it as a springboard for deeper investigation, not a final decision.
Location of surgeon Enter credentials Rhinoplasty focus Planning tool
Surgeon | Location | Stated credentials | Rhinoplasty focus | Planning tool |
| Tanya Judge, MD | San Francisco and Walnut Creek | Double board-certified (plastic surgery, general surgery), rhinoplasty specialist | Open and closed, cosmetic and functional | 3-D imaging |
| David W. Kim, MD | San Francisco | Double board-certified facial plastic surgeon | Primary, revision, hybrid, Asian and male rhinoplasty | Virtual consultation |
| Evan Ransom, MD | San Francisco and Mill Valley | Double board-certified (otolaryngology, facial plastic surgery) | Open and closed, cosmetic and functional | Tailored treatment plan |
| Albert Chow, MD | San Francisco | Triple board-certified (plastic, facial plastic, otolaryngology) | Mostly open, plus septoplasty and turbinate reduction | Not specified |
| Raj Dedhia, MD | San Francisco | Double board-certified facial plastic surgeon | Primary, revision and teen rhinoplasty | Photography and morphing |
| Joseph A. Mele, MD | Walnut Creek | Board-certified plastic surgeon, FACS | Open and closed | Computer simulation |
| Kenneth Bermudez, MD | San Francisco | Board-certified plastic surgeon | Cosmetic and functional, sometimes combined with other facial procedures | Virtual consultation |
The Best Rhinoplasty Surgeons in San Francisco
1. Tanya Judge, MD
Open or closed rhinoplasty is performed by Dr. Tanya Judge of Judge M.D., in San Francisco and Walnut Creek. During an in-person consultation, she will choose the best approach to use. 3-D technology allows you to see what your nose and face might look like following rhinoplasty.
The procedure takes around 2-3 hours and is performed as an outpatient procedure under general anaesthesia. Most patients are able to return to work after 7 working days and avoid any heavy exertion for 4 weeks.
Ideal for: Those who are curious about a 3-D simulation and step-by-step aftercare instructions before scheduling.
2. David W. Kim, MD
Dr. David W. Kim is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, with a focus on advanced rhinoplasty in his San Francisco area practice. Visit his website for information on cosmetic, revision, hybrid, Asian, and male rhinoplasty.
He's frequently sought out for revision surgery per the practice and is great to keep in mind if an older procedure didn't meet your expectations. There are virtual consults, and Dr. Kim has been named a 2026 Castle Connolly Top Doctors honoree.
Best for: Revision cases and patients seeking a facial plastic surgeon dedicated to rhinoplasty.
3. Evan Ransom, MD
Evan Ransom, MD, is board-certified in otolaryngology head and neck surgery and in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. He also has specialty training in facial plastic, reconstructive, and laser surgery.
He employs both open and closed procedures on a case-by-case basis. His rhinoplasty work addresses both the aesthetic and functional issues, and you can see him in San Francisco or at his Mill Valley office.
Who it's for: Cosmetically and functionally driven patients who want a head and neck expert.
4. Albert Chow, MD
Dr. Albert Chow has full board certification in plastic surgery, facial plastic surgery, and otolaryngology. According to his practice, that makes him one of the few Bay Area surgeons with certifications in all three areas. He does both cosmetic and functional procedures such as septoplasty and turbinate reduction.
Most of his patients undergo open rhinoplasty with general anesthesia, and the operation can take anywhere from four to six hours. The practice does not participate with insurance.
Best for: Complex functional or reconstructive cases.
5. Raj Dedhia, MD
About the Doctor: Dr. Raj Dedhia, Double Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon Over 10 Years of Surgical Experience Practice on Hyde Street in San Francisco. Practice Includes Primary, Revision and Teenage Rhinoplasty.
Revisions: Those consultations will use the same photography and morphing of the nose that is used in initial consultations to demonstrate expected results. Cost The doctor publishes a cost range of teenage rhinoplasty of $12,000 and $25,000, including anesthesia and operating room facility costs.
Best for: Teen and revision cases.
6. Joseph A. Mele, MD, FACS
Dr. Joseph Mele is a board-certified plastic surgeon who practices in Walnut Creek, serving the San Francisco Bay Area. One of the most requested procedures at his practice is rhinoplasty.
In consultation, computer simulation allows him to get expectations closer to reality. His site describes open and closed procedures that range from dorsal humps to improved ease of breathing.
Who it's for: East Bay patients interested in simulation as part of a consultation.
7. Kenneth Bermudez, MD
Rhinoplasty: If you're wondering about the types of nose jobs available, Dr. Bermudez offers rhinoplasty or nose reshaping surgery that can be used to alter the nose in virtually any way you desire. Smaller or larger, narrower or wider, shorter or longer; whatever you want, he can give it to you.
He recommends combining rhinoplasty with eyelid procedures, a brow lift, or ear procedures in order to create more symmetry to the face. In his practice, 16 years is the minimum age.
Best for: Patients considering multiple facial treatments together.
Questions to Ask at Your Consultation
You should leave a good consultation with less of the mystery you arrived with. Then ask which method the doctor recommends for your nose, why they would do it, and how often they do it.
Conclusion
It all comes down to what your nose requires from the rhinoplasty surgeon. A revision, breathing, and a slight tip correction all steer the choice to one of several qualities.
Choose two or three surgeons and make appointments. See how each one describes your options, how each approaches planning your result, and how frank each one is about recovery and costs.
FAQ
What is the cost of rhinoplasty in San Francisco?
Prices vary by case, and most offices won't quote until after an exam, so ask for one number that includes surgeon, anesthesia and facility charges.
How long is recovery after rhinoplasty?
Swelling and bruising normally reduce within the first week to two, but it can take a full year for the results to fully settle.
Is open or closed rhinoplasty better?
There is no general best because each offers advantages suited to differing extent of changes.
Can rhinoplasty fix breathing problems?
Yes, rhinoplasty can even address functional problems such as a deviated septum, with some patients having cosmetic and functional correction done at the same time.
What credentials should a rhinoplasty surgeon have?
Seek out board certification in plastic surgery or facial plastic surgery, and a collection of rhinoplasty cases like yours.
