Reconsidering surgeon due to suspected retouched photos?

I finally found a plastic surgeon who I liked. However, I recently noticed some pixelation along the contours of the "before and after" pictures on his website that would suggest digital retouching. Should I still have my surgery done with this doctor?

He is a double board-certified facial plastic surgeon, previously ENT, and he does both Chin implant and Rhinoplasty (I need both). I am worried that the patients actually look much worse after their surgeries than what the pictures show.

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11 answers to “Reconsidering surgeon due to...”

A: Move on to another surgeon

By William Portuese, MD - Seattle Facial Plastic Surgeon

If you suspect that the photos are retouched, then it is probably important to move on to another surgeon that you can completely trust. Ask to talk to a patient or two from the practice about their anticipated result.

A: Go elsewhere.

By George J. Beraka, MD - Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Hi! If the photographs are altered, you cannot trust this surgeon. Integrity is something you absolutely need in a cosmetic surgeon. How else can you be sure that your surgeon will do the very best he can for your face. Go elsewhere.

A: Reconsider the surgeon

By Behrooz Torkian, MD - Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Hi, As a surgeon who has designed, made, and maintains his own website, I have seen many other plastic surgery websites and have scrutinized countless photos on the web. I have seen few doctors with "altered" photos on their websites. There are likely to be several that I have missed,... more

A: See another surgeon

By John Diaz, MD - Beverly Hills Plastic Surgeon

If you have any doubts about a surgeon, follow your instincts and find someone else. The vast majority of surgeons are very ethical and honest doctors. I would like to believe that the surgeon you speak of did not do this. However, if you are suspicious, then it is probably for good reason.

A: Potentially phony photos

By David C. Pearson, MD - Jacksonville Facial Plastic Surgeon

You bring up an interesting point. I used to wonder whether some unscrupulous surgeons "doctor" their photos more than their patients. I now know of at least two surgeons who have used morphed photos as before and after photos, which is completely fraudulent, of course. Amazingly, in both instances... more

A: Check multiple photos of this patient.

By Eric M. Joseph, MD - West Orange Facial Plastic Surgeon

I share your concern, and I would feel concerned if I thought my surgeon were altering photos. I'm assuming you're dealing with a board-certified, experienced rhinoplasty surgeon with many favorable photos. And you said you liked him. My hunch is that the photos are legitimate, since if he's... more

A: Retouched photos with out proper notation are unethical

By Marcus L. Peterson, MD - St. George Plastic Surgeon

You need to have confidence in your surgeon that he or she is honest. If photos are retouched to make them look better without making a clear note of this, it would be an ethical violation. I do not have any way of telling you how to make this determination because digital photos can have a... more

A: Ask to see real patients.

By Toby G. Mayer, MD - Beverly Hills Facial Plastic Surgeon

Experienced rhinoplasty surgeons have rhinoplasty patients coming and going all the time. These patients usually don't mind meeting with other patients in the office to show the real result!

A: Ask to meet with real patients

By Francisco Canales, MD - Sonoma Valley Plastic Surgeon

One option is to have our surgeon give you the names of a few actual patients. You can meet with them in person and view the actual finished result. If the surgeon is experienced enough, they should be able to to find a few of their patients who are willing to meet with you. Patients usually have... more

A: Standardized Clinical Photography

By Barry E. DiBernardo, MD - Montclair Plastic Surgeon

I have been a photgrapher for over 35 years and have worked in the developement of most of the plastic surgical digital imaging software and hardware. Pixelation is a function of the resolution of the imaging equipment sensors and how high there resolution is. It is possible that certain curved lines, if... more

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Washington DC - Retouched before and after photographs