Travis T. Tollefson, MD, MPH

If I could give 100 gold stars, I would. In 2019, my lips were bit off by a dog. I thought my face and smile were forever changed. Dr. Tollefson and his team came to the rescue with nothing but skill, knowledge, professionalism, kindness, and patience. Not to mention, he was able to answer all of my questions and when I brought humor to the experience, he was able to reciprocate which is exactly what I needed. I've had two surgeries and two years later (2021), after allowing time to completely heal, you can't even tell anything happened pre- and post- injury. Dr. Tollefson did such an amazing job and I have my smile back!!! Best Dr./team experience I've ever had in a time of crisis.

I've always had trouble breathing through my nose, it's crocked, I've got small bumps on the bridge of my nasal bones and the tip is large. I finally decided it was time for me to get a septorhinoplasty. Its something I've been wanting since I was 12 years old. So I finally did it. I'm currently post op day 2 and feeling pretty miserable. The swelling just really became bad yesterday evening.

Updated on 14 Aug 2014:
Swollen and puffy. I feel like a crusty stay puff marshmallow man with greasy hair. My skin looks like [RS bleep] too, which only adds to my loveliness. My poor husband... So I've been getting more sleep each and every night. My dry mouth is getting better, but it's still annoying. Pain is better and controlled with norcos, Motrin and ice. My nose and upper lip are still kinda numb, and I can kind of smile now - it's not pretty - but I can do it. My sutures itch a little so I almost prefer having the gauze under my nose even though I don't need it. Monday can't come fast enough to get these tubes out of my nose and this cast off. I know I'm clearly swollen and I need to be patient but my only concern is how high my tip is right now. But it's just not realistic at this point for me to be worried about it - because I'm in the healing process. This is a tough surgery/recovery and I really empathize with people who've had this procedure.

Updated on 17 Aug 2014:
I'm so ready for the cast to come off tomorrow and I'm even more ready for these nasal splints inside to be removed. One of the splints feels like it's actually cutting into the inside of my nose. I'm ready to give "nasal birth" to these little fuckers. So other then that, the pain is better. I still take Norcos 1-2xs per day and alternate with Motrin for the "pressure" headache pain I feel. The swelling and bruising has gotten better but it's still there. I'm looking forward to washing my hair tonight in my attempt to look "as good as I can" for my appointment tomorrow... Why? Because I've never felt so freakin crusty in all my life. I want to wear makeup, curl my hair, and get my fake tan one! Seriously I just want to feel more normal again and go outside. I'm getting a little stir crazy in my house and I'm over my mouth breathing and nasaly voice. Ok I think I'm done bitching now. Tomorrow I get the first glimpse of my nose and I'm super nervous. Bllllllleh!

Updated on 18 Aug 2014:
Finally cast is off and those splints are out. I can breath!!!! Super excited and happy with my results so far!

I had a deviated septum from multiple breaks that healed wrong. I couldn't even breathe out of one side. Dr. T did a 4.5 hour sept/rhino. I have to admit the healing process was not fun. Packing, splints, swelling etc. Wearing a cast for two weeks. Be prepared for revision surgery later on, healing doesn't always go as planned. I have had two revisions since but insurance covered it all. He's such a great doctor and takes so much pride in his work.

The first day you have so much packing you can't breathe out of your nose. You go in the next day to get that removed which is a little sore because you just had your nose rebroken.

A week later you get the splints taken out, which you can't even see or feel so I didn't know i had them the whole time. But they're HUGE and not fun to take out either because you're still a little sore. Once they're out breathing is magical.

I got my cast off a week after and the swelling almost completely went away after 3 weeks although most of it was down by the first week.

Overall, wish I knew how awful it was to have a septoplasty voluntarily. But in hindsight, best decision of my life.

My upper lid was actually starting to obstruct my vision and I looked "tired" in photographs but I was concerned that I might end up looking startled or scared as can sometimes happen. Dr. T's results were amazing but unnoticed but all but the few I told.

After losing a large part of my nose to a basal cell cancer removal, I faced the daunting prospect of having a scarred and deformed nose or finding an extraordinary reconstructive surgeon. I interviewed 2 other surgeons. Before I chose Dr. T., another surgeon told me that after the surgery, "I wouldn't scare myself when I looked in the mirror." Dr. T. was far more optimistic and presented a plan and an outcome that gave me great confidence. He did not let me down.

I had 2 complicated surgeries  with no pain and no problems what so ever. Today, no one (even other doctors) can tell my what my nose went through.

Excellent Level of Care - Sacramento, CA