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Are Before and After Pictures Good Representations?

asked 2 years ago by shasbot in dc
Latest answer by Michael Law, MD
Question viewed 623 times
Tags: photos, results

I'm considering Breast implants but I'm really put off by all the before and after pictures I see online. Are these typically the final result? They all look so plastic and distorted to me. I'm terrified of ending up worse off than I am now. Are the pictures a good representation of what these women end up looking like?

15 answers to Are Before and After Pictures Good Representations?

Before and after breast augmentation photos

There is no denying the fact that 'before and after' images are the most powerful and effective means for a surgeon to communicate their aesthetic sensibility. They give the prospective patient an immediate sense of what that surgeon envisions as a favorable postoperative result, and thus allow an individual to make a relatively quick decision as to whether or not that surgical practice is one that they should investigate further. When evaluating photographs, also keep in mind... more

Michael Law, MD
Raleigh-Durham Plastic Surgeon

michaellawmd.com

Before and after photographs

The best thing for you to do is to have a consultation and talk with a surgeon about your goals and he can reviw with you the possibilities and realistic expectations.

Steven Wallach, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Before and after photos.

The best thing to do is ask your surgeon to show you before photos that are most similar to your own. Please keep in mind that everyone's body is different and some of the photos you are looking at are not the results you will achieve. see video

Otto Joseph Placik, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Yes, presuming they are honest

I think galleries are great. The best ones will have a certain number of consecutive cases (eliminates cherry picking) although this is almost impossible to do at a website where patient permission for display is required. It is difficult to get permission from most people for this sort of thing. I like to show problem cases when patients visit the office. Fortunately, good plastic surgeons seldom have catastrophic outcomes, but we all have results that we wish were better. Finally, some... more

Vincent N. Zubowicz, MD
Atlanta Plastic Surgeon

Before and after breast pictures

It is very difficult to get accurate and completely even before-and-after pictures but they are essential for the patient to evaluate the results of a procedure on others and results of the surgeon they are considering. With few exceptions, I don't find computer generated before-and-after pictures helpful and I particularly avoid looking at pictures from magazines or elsewhere. Before-and-after pictures should be taken in standard views and standard lighting with the exact same amount of... more

Scott L. Replogle, MD
Denver Plastic Surgeon

Before and After Pictures for Breast Augmentation

Before and after pictures are necessary in our business. Potential patients see these and decide, base on them, if they what to have a consultation with us. The problem is that the pictures are taken in a non-realistic fashion. They are all from shoulder to waist with arms to the side against a blue back round. What would be better is to see patients in clothing before and after to get a better idea. But alas this may not happen. In addition most post op pics are taken around 6... more

Christopher L. Hess, MD
Fairfax Plastic Surgeon

Breast augmentation photos.

Hi! There are some really natural looking results out there following breast augmentation. Look at our web site. But you are quite right. You have to be very careful who does the surgery

George J. Beraka, MD
Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Actually, I'd say the pictures always look worse than the patient

Depending on what you're starting with and depending on the size of implant you choose, the results of breast implants are usually very good. And Ithink that my patients look bettter in person than they do in the pictures. Go ahead and do it. I think you will be happy. Just don't go for anything too large.

G. Gregory Gallico III, MD
Boston Plastic Surgeon

Surgeon is only as good as their pictures

Before and After pictures are a good representation of a physicians work. You must realize that most doctors only put their best results on their website. We try to place as many body types and results, good or fair, on our site to give a patient a realistic idea of what they can achieve. If the photos on the site are bad, don't go to that doctor. Realize that everyone is different and your results will never be exactly the same as any other patient. Good Luck!

David A. Dreyfuss, MD
Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Before and after photos

Great question. I thought about this when I was putting my photo album together so I included best and not so best results. Don't worry, there's no deception to this. It's like everything else, we're just showing our best work. What you need to keep in mind is that is is helpful because you can see what your plastic surgeon has done before and see his comments about the photos. He may say, "look how beautiful this result is" and you think it looks like terrible. That's an... more

Ricardo A. Meade, MD
Dallas Plastic Surgeon

Look for Patients Who Look Like You

I agree with Dr Katz, we do tend to show our best results, although I also strive for variety. I think seeing results in patients who resemble your appearance preop. is one way to get an idea of your results...ask for these at your consult and see if your doc can deliver ! I think this can really help you get a realistic idea of what your results will be.

John LoMonaco, MD
Houston Plastic Surgeon

www.DrLoMonaco.com

Photos not always helpful

You have to know what and why you are looking at photos. Although against conventional wisdom and advice, I do not think photos are very helpful to an individual patient. For each individual before and after photos, you do not know if the results are due to a surgeon's recommendation, the patient's desires, or a combination of both. You would have to speak to both patient and surgeon. You cannot accurate equate your anatomy to those of individual patients based on photos. What is done or... more

Robin T.W. Yuan, MD
Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

Before and after pictures

Before and after pictures are helpful but not the only tool that a patient should use to evaluate a plastic surgeon. In general we all put our best stuff out there. I personally try to show patients realistic expectations and show them photos that are limited in their results due to patient anatomy, weight, age, and general limitation of an operation. I occasionally show patients complications that are possible in a particular procedure. So if you are terrified by the best photo that a... more

Sepehr Egrari, MD
Seattle Plastic Surgeon

www.egrari.com

Are before and after pictures accurate?

Before and after photos of other patients are just that, photos of other patients. Your anatomy, the implants you choose and your surgeon are all going to be different. You cannot predict from photos of other patients what your results will look like but the photos are a good way to discuss your goals with your surgeon and get feedback from your surgeon. The best advice I can give you is to print out some photos of results that you like and some that you don't like. Take them with you to... more