A cosmetic surgeons before and after album

-Richard, graphic artist, CaliforniaThe image on the left is the unchanged "before." The right hand image becomes the "after," as the doctor or assistant changes the shape of the nose or removes eyelid bags through the use of a computer "pen." Comparing the predicted "after" to the "before", allows you to see what cosmetic surgery can or cannot do for you. You deserve to utilize the latest technology allowing you to visualize the surgeon's proposal. Computer imaging is a fantastic communication tool that affords a "meeting of the minds." A consultation without it has limited value.

Reviewing the "Before" and "After" Album A Procedural Guide

Secret: A surgeon's "before" and "after" album is filled with clues. You should see lots of photos and they must be photographically "honest."

The purpose of the consultation with the cosmetic surgeon is to learn more. One of the most valuable components of that visit is the chance to view a large number of typical "before and after" examples. A primary reason for post surgical remorse is failure to study the doctor's work. You need to get a sense of his art form, his style, and his results. These photographs offer an impression of that particular surgeon's idea of reasonable improvement. They also help give you, the patient, a grasp of the realistic results of cosmetic surgery.

I'm often amazed when I learn of people who have been disappointed with their cosmetic surgery and when asked: "Did you see the doctor's work before?" they state, "No. I asked to see before and after pictures at the consultation but the doctor didn't have any." What nonsense!

If you see consistent evidence of substantial, yet natural change in appearance, you will probably be comfortable in that surgeon's hands. If the results look artificial, unnatural, overdone or in any way displeasing, your taste may be better served by another doctor. Remember you are seeking natural not "plastic" surgery. And, you want to look better not different.

An Important Commentary Regarding Medical Photography

Here are important comments on medical photography by David J. Terris, MD, Associate Professor, Head and Neck Surgery, Stanford University, as stated in the October, 2001, issue of Cosmetic Surgery Times, a news journal for cosmetic surgeons. Dr. Terris' remarks are directed to cosmetic surgeons' presentations to their colleagues at medical meetings, seminars, and in medical papers.

Choose your surgeon carefully; check him out before you check out, and then look at before and after pictures of his patients. The after pictures should look better.

-Joan Rivers

"It's usually not a situation where an investigator is deliberately trying to alter results or mislead the audience. But through inadvertently changing the techniques that they use preoperatively to postoperatively, they can make it difficult to compare appearances before and after procedures."

"Such researchers mislead not only their audiences, but also themselves when it comes to evaluating their own results."

Your eyes should be going back and forth as if watching a tennis match. Be slow and deliberate. Look to see if you detect any incisions. Finally, ask yourself if you would be happy with the same degree of improvement evidenced by the people in the photos.

Doctor Shows Patients Before And After Photos. You Assume They are His, But Are They?

Several months ago, a trade organization that promotes the economic interests of its members devised a program to facilitate promtional lectures/seminars by it members to the general public.

This "canned" slide presentation demonstrating facial and body cosmetic surgery is sold for $450. Accompanied by a smoothly-worded script, the 111 slides include many before and after shots of common cosmetic surgeries of the face and neck and the body. The purpose of this read-to-go program is to provide the buyer with an instant public lecture/seminar that will attract patients to that doctor's practice.

A full-page ad, promoting this package in a leading medical journal proclaims: "Each presentation is customized with your portrait photo and practice information." The ad then recommends,: "Use in your office as a continual loop in your waiting room or as a Power Point presentation for your next patient seminar!"

Can you imagine a would-be cosmetic surgeon selling his services to prospective patients, but showing another doctor's work? Is this proper? Certainly, the audience assumes it will be viewing the speaker's work, not that of another surgeon. Does the speaker disclose to the audience, up front: "These are not my cases. I bought these slides?"

Why does the speaker not have his own work to display? He should. If he does not have a portfolio of credible results, is he qualified to present himself in a public lecture as a capable cosmetic surgeon?

At a Liz Claiborne runway show, are the models dressed in Armani?

When a doctor who purports to be an accomplished cosmetic surgeon addresses the public and is directly soliciting business, the audience expects to see what he can accomplish. Examples of the art form should belong to the speaker not to anonymous cosmetic surgeons who sell their wares through stock catalogs to doctors who do not have their own samples to present.