Can you bring wish pictures on the day of surgery or the surgeon already has a plan?

Question

I never showed my surgeon wish pictures on the preop day - I want to give her a visual of my goals..

Michele A. Shermak, MD · Answer

Hello!
I would not wait for day of surgery to present your surgeon with your goals. It is possible that the goals might not be within expected outcomes. I would recommend you communicate through email, zoom or in person to do this - as far ahead of surgery as you can. Surgeons should not be coming into surgery with her/his plan for you without accounting for your actual desired outcome.
Best of luck to you!

Semih Yildiz, MD, FEPOBRAS · Answer

Yes, it is reasonable to bring a few wish pictures on the day of surgery, as long as you understand they are a communication tool rather than a promise of a specific result. They can help your surgeon understand the shape, contour, scar placement preferences, and overall look you have in mind. For a tummy tuck, it is especially useful to discuss what you like about the photos: a flatter lower abdomen, waist definition, belly button style, incision height, or skin tightness.

Your surgeon should already have a surgical plan based on your exam, anatomy, skin quality, muscle separation, and safety factors, so the photos may refine the conversation rather than completely change the plan. Bring only a small number of realistic examples, ideally from patients with a similar body type, and ask whether your goals match what is possible for you. If there is any major difference between your expectations and the plan, it is better to clarify it before anesthesia rather than afterward.

Albert Ko, MD · Answer

Absolutely! The more photos the better, it helps us gain a better idea of what you are hoping for and I can set realistic expectations with patients.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question regarding whether you can bring your wish pictures on the day of surgery. Of course, you can bring your wish pictures to your surgeon on the day of surgery, with pictures helping the surgeon establish what you are looking for in their mind. Please remember again these are wish pictures. Not everything can be created. However, your surgeon can see what your ideal or goal is. They, as plastic surgeons, can work to create that. Thank you for your question regarding whether you can bring wish list pictures on the day of surgery. 
If you have any more questions regarding the tummy tuck or abdominoplasty, please contact my office.  Since an abdominoplasty can be a difficult procedure, please seek an experienced, board certified plastic surgeon with significant experience performing tummy tucks.   Do your research.  Make sure your chosen plastic surgeon has performed at least 100 abdominoplasties.  Make sure they have the before and after pictures to prove it.  Carefully examine their before and after pictures and check their reviews on RealSelf.  Good luck! Sincerely, Dr. Katzen. (“Verified” Plastic Surgeon, President of the American Society of Bariatric Plastic Surgeons, Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery, Fellow of the International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery, American College of Surgery, International College of Surgery, and American Board of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery,  and ​member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Benjamin Liliav, MD · Answer

Yes, you can always show pictures the day of the surgery, your visuals goals can be different as the surgeon references, and also is a good way to get real expectations

George Bitar, MD · Answer

You definitely should show your surgeon photographs of your desired outcome.  It would help with their operative planning and whether they can achieve your goals.  I would recommend scheduling another visit and having your surgeon review the photographs well before the day of surgery.

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear pardeepxkaur,
every plastic surgeon has his own preoperative protocol which he recommends to his patients. I would suggest you to discuss this with your plastic surgeon.
Daniel Barrett, MD
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Plastic Surgery
Member, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

J. Jason Wendel, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for you question regarding showing your surgeon pictures of what you want to achieve and congrats on your upcoming surgery!

As a surgeon, I would always love to see examples of what patients would like to achieve.

Best of luck!

Ram Kalus, MD, FACS · Answer

Thank you for your question. It is best directed toward your plastic surgeon. In my practice they are a critical part of the preoperative planning. Best of luck to you.

Moises Salama, MD · Answer

Thanks for your question. At my practice, I welcome pictures to have a better idea of what the patient's goals are and from there we discuss what can be achieved based on the patient's anatomy. Hope this helps. Always consult with a board certified plastic surgeon. Take care, Moises Salama MD, Board Certified Plastic

Can you bring wish pictures on the day of surgery or the surgeon already has a plan?

Answers (17)

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