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Dr. David W. Kim, MD - Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon in San Francisco, California

Dr. David W. Kim, MD

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

San Francisco, California
NPI: 1922066075· License: A65349 (CA) verify
Industry payments (2024): $342 across 9 payments (what this means)
4.68(80 ratings)

In Dr. David W. Kim's own words

How Dr. David W. Kim describes their own approach, from their Instagram posts. Each statement links to the original.

Approach

  • It took me a long time to realize that the process is as important, if not more important than the results, to focus on what you can control and not what you can't
  • From the moment you walk through our doors, our goal is simple: to make you feel comfortable, cared for, and completely at ease
  • That experience shaped the way I see every face—not just as features to treat, but as complex anatomy that deserves respect
  • Dr. David W. Kim aims to translate his conception of what is possible, normal, and attractive, along with his interpretation of patient goals, onto the screen during consultations.

Technique

  • Dr. David W. Kim creates side-by-side renderings during consultations to help patients visualize a normal shape.

Technology

  • We use mirror software where Dr. Kim will be able to use your different photo angles and do some photo rendering to give you a better idea of what you're going to look like post-procedure

Training & credentials

  • Dr. David W. Kim, MD has been well trained.
  • Dr. Kim, as you may know, is double board certified as an ear, nose, and throat doctor, as well as a facial plastic surgeon

Consultation

  • Whenever our discussions got into advanced anatomy, he made a point to break down the terms and meanings so everything was completely clear
  • Dr. Kim conducts honest and grounded conversations with patients.
  • Dr. Kim takes extensive patient questions seriously.
  • Dr. Kim prioritizes patient-surgeon alignment on goals well ahead of surgery.

Statements are quoted or closely paraphrased from Dr. David W. Kim's own public posts and are their claims, not NavMDs' medical advice. Doctors can correct or remove any item via their claimed profile or support [at] navmds.com.

About

Dr. David W. Kim, MD is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon practicing in San Francisco, California. He specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, head, and neck, offering procedures such as rhinoplasty, revision rhinoplasty, Juvederm, lip filler, Botox, laser treatments, and medical-grade skincare. His approach prioritizes natural, thoughtful results by balancing both function and beauty, with safety as his foremost priority, a philosophy shaped by his 10 years as a Surgical Nurse Practitioner at UCSF. Dr. Kim views every face as complex anatomy deserving respect. For male rhinoplasty, he focuses on preserving a strong masculine shape. In lip filler, he uses strategic placement with the Restylane collection, a technique learned directly from @beautie.bae, to enhance existing anatomy. He considers Botox reliable for consistent results and medical-grade skincare essential for maintaining overall aesthetic outcomes. A successful outcome begins during the initial consultation, where he uses 3D imaging and digital morphing software like Mirror to align expectations with anatomical possibilities. He demystifies procedures by explaining structural anatomy, engaging patients in honest, grounded conversations, and collaborating on goals to ensure full preparation. He is receptive to detailed requests, takes extensive questions seriously, and conducts multiple consultations, even discussing choices that may need to be made during surgery.

Connect with Dr. David W. Kim on Social Media

Specialties

  • Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon

Procedures & Services

Select a service to schedule an appointment · each is approximately 60 minutes

Questions, Answers, and Information Directly from Dr. David W. Kim

Sourced directly from Dr. David W. Kim's social posts and replies.

Where is Dr. Kim's practice located?
Dr. Kim's practice is located at 55 Francisco St Suite 705, San Francisco, CA.
What anatomical issues can hybrid rhinoplasty address?
Hybrid rhinoplasty can address issues such as crooked and obstructed noses, lowering the bridge, and lifting the tip.
When is lip filler suitable?
Lip filler is suitable at any time.
What is the expected healing process after lip filler?
Bruising, swelling, and mild discomfort are expected as part of the healing process. Patients should allow themselves time to heal.
What is the difference between a droopy tip and a hanging columella in rhinoplasty, and how are they corrected?
The distinction between a droopy tip and a hanging columella is nuanced yet very important. The columella refers to the bridge of skin between the nostrils. On a profile view, 'columellar show' is the amount of flesh visible below the nostrils, with 2-4 millimeters generally viewed as normal by rhinoplasty experts. If the columella appears too low or thick, it creates a heavy appearance from the front and droopiness from the side. Although a droopy tip can co-exist, it's important to differentiate these issues. To correct a hanging columella, structural grafts can be utilized to lift the medial crura into a higher position, thus correcting the hanging columella and potentially lifting the tip of the nose.
What can I expect from the office environment and patient experience?
The practice's office features a welcoming reception area, private consultation rooms, and treatment suites, all thoughtfully designed to create a calm, relaxing experience. The goal is to make patients feel comfortable, cared for, and completely at ease, ensuring a seamless experience whether visiting for a consultation, surgery, or follow-up.
How can I minimize bruising after Botox or filler appointments?
While bruising can happen to anyone, even with experienced injectors, some preparation can help. Avoid blood-thinning medications and supplements (like Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Fish oil/Omega-3s, Vitamin E, Ginkgo biloba, Garlic supplements, Ginseng, Turmeric) for about 5-7 days before your appointment, *only if your prescribing provider says it’s safe*. Skip alcohol for 24-48 hours before treatment as it can increase your likelihood of bruising. Eat a healthy meal and stay hydrated before your appointment to feel your best. If you’re prone to bruising, let your injector know; the practice can advise on timing your treatment to allow adequate healing days prior to an event. Consider taking Arnica or Bromelain a couple of days before and after your treatment if they’re appropriate for you, as these may help reduce bruising for some people. Even when you do everything 'right,' bruising can still happen as it’s a normal possibility with any injectable treatment, usually resolving within several days to two weeks.

From Dr. David W. Kim's Instagram

@davidwkimmd →

Recent photos posted by @davidwkimmd, Dr. David W. Kim's own Instagram account. Each image opens the original post on Instagram.

Images © Dr. David W. Kim / @davidwkimmd, shown here with a link to the original post. Procedure labels are inferred from the post's caption and hashtags. If you are the account owner and want an image removed, contact support [at] navmds.com.

Technologies & brands Dr. David W. Kim mentions

Devices, implants, injectables and products named in Dr. David W. Kim's own posts and videos. A mention is not an endorsement; ask the office what they currently offer.

Patient Experience

Dr. David W. Kim Review Summary

4.76
Dr. Kim has excellent ratings across multiple platforms. He boasts a near-perfect 4.9 rating from 70 reviews, a 4.7 on Yelp, a perfect 5 on Facebook, and a solid 4.5 on Google. Patients consistently praise his skills and results.

Ratings from Other Platforms

yelp.com

4.7 out of 5

Based on 205 reviews

View on yelp.com

facebook.com

5 out of 5

Based on 3 reviews

View on facebook.com

Google Reviews

4.5 out of 5

Based on 31 reviews

View on Google Reviews
Dr. David W. Kim, MD - Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon in San Francisco, California

Dr. Kim Facial Plastic Surgery

55 Francisco St Suite 705, San Francisco, California

(415) 773-0800

Book a Service Consultation

Each service is approximately 60 minutes.

Industry Payments

Federal law (the Physician Payments Sunshine Act) requires drug and medical-device companies to report anything of value they give to a physician — consulting and speaking fees, research funding, travel, royalties, and even meals. Medicare publishes all of it in a public database called Open Payments. We show it here so you don't have to go looking for it.

Total received (2024)

$342

Payments

9

Compared to peers

Small

Dr. David W. Kim received $342 across 9 payments in 2024. That is in the lower half for physicians here — totals this size are typically meals at sponsored talks. Most of it was categorised as food and beverage, and the largest single payer was REVANCE THERAPEUTICS, INC..

What this means for your care

  • A disclosed payment is a business relationship, not evidence of wrongdoing, and it says nothing on its own about the quality of your care.
  • Most payments are small. Across the physicians listed on NavMDs, the single most common category is food and beverage at industry-sponsored talks.
  • Larger consulting, speaking or royalty payments mean an ongoing financial relationship with a company whose products your doctor may use or recommend. That is worth knowing about, and it is reasonable to ask about.
  • A fair question to ask: “Do you have a financial relationship with the maker of the implant, filler or device you're recommending — and what alternatives did you consider?”

Source: CMS Open Payments, the federal database created by the Sunshine Act. View the full record on CMS Open Payments ↗

Insurance Information

Please contact Dr. David W. Kim's office directly for information about accepted insurance plans.

Phone: (415) 773-0800

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Location & Contact Information

Dr. Kim Facial Plastic Surgery

55 Francisco St Suite 705

San Francisco, California 94133

Office Information

Phone: (415) 773-0800

Where does Dr. David W. Kim practice?

Doctor's Office

Dr. Kim Facial Plastic Surgery (Primary)

55 Francisco St Suite 705, San Francisco, California 94133

(70 reviews)

Hospital Affiliations

Hospital affiliations unknown

Do you know which hospitals Dr. David W. Kim is affiliated with? This information helps patients understand where they might receive care.

Education & Experience

Certifications & Licenses

Board Certified Facial Plastic Surgeon
Double Board Certified

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make an appointment with Dr. David W. Kim online?
The provided information doesn't specify whether online appointment booking is available. Contacting the office directly at (415) 773-0800 is recommended for scheduling.
Does Dr. David W. Kim offer telehealth?
The provided information does not indicate whether Dr. Kim offers telehealth services.
What do patients have to say about Dr. David W. Kim?
Patients rave about Dr. Kim's work, particularly his rhinoplasty and revision rhinoplasty skills. Reviews highlight natural-looking results, increased confidence, and life-changing experiences. Patients also appreciate his expertise with fillers, noting the subtle yet effective enhancements. Overall, patients express immense satisfaction with Dr. Kim's surgical abilities and the positive impact he has on their lives. Patients consistently highlight Dr. Kim's receptiveness to detailed requests and his serious approach to extensive patient questions. He conducts multiple consultations leading up to surgery, never shying away from technical details and always breaking down advanced anatomy terms for clarity. Patients appreciate that he is not a 'yes man' and does not sell unrealistic expectations, genuinely caring about the surgical outcome. He prioritizes patient-surgeon alignment on goals well ahead of surgery, conducting honest and grounded conversations. Dr. Kim discusses weighing priorities for surgical outcomes (e.g., nose width vs. strict symmetry) and even asks patients which outcome they prefer he pursue more aggressively if conflicting priorities arise during surgery, demonstrating a willingness to collaborate extensively and be honest about intraoperative choices. The practice also aims to make patients feel comfortable, cared for, and completely at ease, ensuring a seamless experience from start to finish.
What areas of care does Dr. David W. Kim cater to?
Dr. Kim specializes in cosmetic and reconstructive surgery of the face, head, and neck. This includes rhinoplasty (both primary and revisions), injectables like Juvederm, laser treatments, and general skincare. He focuses on achieving natural and refined results for his patients. For male rhinoplasty patients, Dr. Kim's approach includes preserving a strong masculine shape. In lip filler treatments, the practice uses strategic placement, a technique learned directly from @beautie.bae, utilizing the Restylane collection to enhance the patient's existing anatomy. Dr. Kim views Botox as reliable and consistently delivering results, and medical-grade skincare as essential for maintaining overall aesthetic outcomes. A successful outcome in facial plastic surgery begins during the initial consultation, where 3D imaging and digital morphing software (like Mirror) are used to bridge the gap between expectations and anatomical possibilities. Dr. Kim emphasizes demystifying procedures by explaining underlying structural anatomy and involving patients in the process to foster trust, set realistic expectations, and ensure full preparation for their surgical journey.