Meet Dr. Navid Pourtaheri
Dr. Pourtaheri is our lead surgeon at Bay Area Esthetics Plastic Surgery. He grew up in New Orleans, LA where he attended Tulane University on a full scholarship. He received two Bachelor’s degrees in Electrical and Computer Engineering and graduated with Departmental Honors. He then attended Duke University on a full scholarship where he obtained his Masters and PhD degrees in Biomedical Engineering as well as his Medical Doctorate (MD).
As a medical student, 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. Dr. Pourtaheri completed Plastic Surgery residency training at Case Western Reserve University with Dr. Bahman Guyuron, a world-renowned expert in plastic surgery of the face and nose. He then completed fellowship training 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. He was subsequently recruited to Indiana University as Assistant Professor of Surgery and the Director of Cleft and Craniomaxillofacial Surgery. Dr. Pourtaheri moved to Northern California to be near family, where he started Bay Area Esthetics.
Dr. Pourtaheri’s 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. His expertise is in cosmetic surgery of the face, orthognathic (jaw) surgery, comprehensive rhinoplasty (both functional and esthetic), breast augmentation, body contouring, and reconstructive surgery.
Outside of work, Dr. Pourtaheri enjoys cooking for his family, swimming, hiking, and traveling. See Dr. Pourtaheri’s Physician Profile.
Meet Dr. Melissa Mueller
Dr. Mueller is a board-certified, fellowship-trained plastic surgeon. She is delighted to have returned to her home state of California and to be able to provide personalized care to residents of the Bay Area. Dr. Mueller obtained her bachelor’s degree in biochemistry from Harvard University, where she played Division-I water polo. After college, she completed a research internship at the UCSF Breast Care Center where she was inspired by the transformative power of plastic surgery.
Dr. Mueller completed medical school at Vanderbilt University and then completed a highly competitive integrated Plastic Surgery Residency at the University of California, Irvine, where she learned from experts and innovators in both cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. She then completed fellowship training in Microsurgery at the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Center, one of the best cancer reconstruction programs in the world. She practiced plastic surgery at Indiana University as an Assistant Professor of Surgery before coming back to California to work at B.A.E..
Dr. Mueller is recognized for her thorough and attentive care. Her philosophy on patient care is to treat each patient like they are a family member. She enjoys getting to know her patients and their goals in order to provide comprehensive counseling and tailor an individualized treatment plan for each patient. Her female patients appreciate having a woman’s perspective when it comes to plastic surgery. Dr. Mueller uses technical skills acquired from her unique training to maximize outcomes for her patients. Her expertise is in esthetic surgery of the breast and body. She also performs breast reconstruction, microvascular surgery (DIEP flaps), and body contouring after weight loss.
Outside of the office, Dr. Mueller enjoys swimming, spending time with her husband and son, and exploring the Bay Area.
Meet Kelsey Thayer, PA-C
Kelsey Thayer is a physician assistant here at BAE. Kelsey is excited to be helping our patients in Northern California, where she grew up. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in Neurosciences and Psychology as a double major at the University of Southern California. After college, she gained clinical experience as a medical assistant in Dermatology for five years. She then obtained her Physician’s Assistant Degree from the University of the Pacific. As a PA student, Kelsey elected to pursue a clinical rotation with Dr. Pourtaheri in order to learn how to suture. Upon graduating, we were exited to hire her as a physician assistant for the practice!
Kelsey enjoys being a part of the diversity of patients that we treat and the depth of care that we provide. She is recognized for her compassionate and diligent care. She is a wonderful communicator and prides herself on providing education for our patients. She also assists in surgeries making procedures faster and safer for our patients. Kelsey truly enjoys getting to know our patients and helping them achieve their goals.
Outside of the office, Kelsey enjoys vegetarian food, running, spending time with her friends, and watching Jean Claude Van Damme films.