Dr. shared no pictures of his work at consult. Is this a red flag?

Question

I am interested in breast explant, lift, and tummy tuck. I really liked the doctor I consulted with. He was very confident, evaluated me and told me I’d be a great candidate, patiently answered all questions and explained everything completely. I got a great vibe from him. When I asked to see some photos of his work, he seemed surprised and said he could “dig some up for me If I really wanted to see some”. Isn’t it normal to have pics ready to show potential patients? Is this a red flag?

Daniel Barrett, MD · Answer

Dear smilemaker,
finding the right Dr. is extremely challenging especially with the number of online platforms and resources available. There a lot of great Dr's available. Make sure he/she is a board-certified plastic surgeon. Definitely check to make sure your choice specializes in the procedure you want and spend the time to read through patient testimonials. There is a number of different sites where you can check for reviews (Realself, yelp, google, etc.).You can always pick up the phone and call around also, find an office you feel comfortable with and set up a few consultations. 
Daniel Barrett, MDCertified, American Board of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Plastic SurgeryMember, American Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery

Karan Mehta, MD · Answer

As long as your surgeon sends you before and after pictures and you are happy with the results then it shouldn't be an issue.

Bram Kaufman, MD · Answer

Your concern is understandable, but no pictures are not a deal breaker. 
If you researched the doctor's credentials, reviews, employment history and have no concerns from those then it is probably OK. I certainly would ask the doctor to provide some referrals from previous patients that you can talk to directly.

Although not at all common, some practices are not really set up for photographic documentation. This might be due to the practice situation. For instance, some hospital based and academic practices and the HIPAA requirements can be challenging. Many practices are a blend of reconstructive and cosmetic and do not have the resources nor are they geared toward patient flow that is conducive to photography.

Finally, a quick word about pre/post photos in general. They may not tell the whole story Almost all surgeons who post photos of their work are going to use their best results. It is just human nature. Also pay attention to the technique of the photographs. As an avid photography enthusiast, I can tell you that you can hide a lot or enhance certain aspects of a result by manipulating the patient's stance, the lighting, use of makeup etc. Pay close attention to the nuances of the photos.

I hope this helps.

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question regarding your consulted doctor having no before and after pictures on hand. Patients ask my social media team daily for before and after photos and we have hundreds on the website. It is a bit odd when someone doesn't have their before and after pictures handy and accessible to patients. Please make sure that you seek a board-certified plastic surgeon who has years of experience and before and after photos to show for it.

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, and International College of Surgery, and member of the American Society of Plastic Surgery, American Academy of Cosmetic Surgery and RealSelf Hall of Fame.)

Alan Gonzalez, MD, FACS · Answer

Hello @smilemaker, thank you for your question. It's difficult to say for certain whether the fact that a doctor did not share pictures of their work during a consultation is a red flag. However, you should feel comfortable asking questions and voicing any concerns that you may have, as well as asking for more photos about the procedure you are planning on having. You can view testimonials where patients upload their results. To achieve good results, experience, surgical technique, and technology are the most important factors. Best wishes. Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. Best wishes! Alan Gonzalez MD, FACS. American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), International Federation for Adipose Therapeutics and Science” Member (IFATS), American Society of Plastic Surgery Member (ASPS), Colombian Society of Plastic Surgery member (SCCP)

Ryan Rebowe, MD · Answer

Patient photos are a tricky thing in plastic surgery. Many patients are not comfortable sharing their before and after photos from their cosmetic surgeries, therefore the number of patients who volunteer their photos is likely lower than most people think. Because of this, many surgeons either shy away from asking patients for photos or do not commit significant time to collecting and organizing them. In general, this would only be an issue if the surgeon is trying to hide something like inexperience, non-board certification, or other issues. Most experienced board-certified plastic surgeons should be able to provide at least a few examples of their work for you to evaluate.

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

If he is a young surgeon, he may not yet have a nice photo collection to show. It is possible that his staff has not put together a nice photo collection to present. If you are concerned, keep pushing to see photos, or see another surgeon.

Ahmad H. Ahmadi, MD · Answer

Nowadays, most surgeons post their work on the web.  It's not usual to show photos of one's work to potential patients unless they ask.  Ensure your doctor is a board-certified plastic surgeon with good reviews and is experienced in your procedure of interest.

Scott C. Lindsay, DO · Answer

Hello and thank you for your question.
Perhaps your surgeon is on social media and you could look at pictures of his work. If not, call the office and ask to look at before and after photos of his patients. Most surgeons will have photos of their work. Best wishes!

Camille Cash, MD · Answer

It is a bit unusual especially in this age of social media to not offer before/after photos but I wouldn't say it's a deal breaker.  It seems you were impressed with this surgeon in all other ways.  See if he has a chance to "dig some up" and see what you think from there.

Dr. shared no pictures of his work at consult. Is this a red flag?

Answers (15)

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