Plastic surgeon does not show work photos - nervous.

Thank you very much for your
question. Part of the consultation process should include looking at a large
variety of a surgeon’s before and after photographs. This not only helps to
give patients a better idea of what to expect as potential results from their
desired procedure, but it also provides an important glimpse into the surgical
style and skill of the surgeon. If a doctor does not have many before and after
pictures to show, chances are they do not have enough experience - or enough
satisfied patients - for a larger portfolio. This is a red flag. Go with your
gut, and if the lack of photographs makes you nervous, then I recommend
scheduling a second consultation appointment with another board certified
surgeon in your area. This is an important procedure, so only choose the best
plastic surgeon available.

You are right to be concerned, it is easy to have patients sign a release that allows their pictures to be shown to prospective patients if they agree. Asking to speak with another patient is also something most surgeons are happy to arrange. Trust your instincts, see more Board Certified Plastic Surgeons until you find one you feel comfortable with! Good luck.

Thank you for your question.  
This would be a source of worry as most surgeons have patient's who would happily share their results either by photos, a written recommendation or to speak with  prospective patients.   The bottom line is you have to have trust in your surgeon.  I suggest you do more research and listen to your intuition.
Best wishes, 
Andrew T. Lyos, MD, FACS 

Thanks for your inquiry.  I have a tough time answering this question because I know every surgeon manages his/her practice differently.  1) Pictures are important to understand scar location, contour, and expectations 2) If a patient asks for a past referral/patient to speak to--in my office we would facilitate that conversation and is not an unreasonable request 3) if you have reservations about proceeding please revisit your concerns with your surgeon and explain this important to you, good luck.

Hi.  I would be very hesitant to proceed if your potential surgeon will not show you photos of his or her work.  It is not unreasonable to want to talk to a previous patient, but that can sometimes be a bit tricky to navigate.  However, online reviews may be helpful.  I would recommend consulting with a board certified plastic surgeon, which means he/she is certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.  Make sure they have good experience in the area of a mommy makeover.  A second or even third opinion may be helpful.  Good luck and take care,Dr. Howell

Most plastic surgeons who perform cosmetic surgery take before and after pictures of their patients. Not all patients allow you to use their photos but most will allow you to show before and after pictures.I would be a little nervous as well and would consider getting a second opinion. It never hurts.

Hello and thank you for your question.  I think before and after pictures are a critical aspect of selecting your surgeon. It is very
important that you thoroughly research your surgeon before committing to
surgery. It is a good idea to research your surgeon's educational background,
online reviews, before & after pictures, and speak with anyone who you may
know who has had surgery with that surgeon. During your consultation, make sure
that you don't feel rushed and make sure that you have adequate time with your
surgeon and not just their patient coordinator or nurses. If the majority of
your consultation is spent with someone other than the surgeon, this is usually
not a good sign. The most important aspect is to find a surgeon you are
comfortable with. I recommend that you seek consultation with a qualified
board-certified expert surgeon who can evaluate you in person.
Best wishes and good luck.
Richard G. Reish, M.D.
Harvard-trained plastic surgeon

Thank you for your question. Finding the proper surgeon is critical to the success of your mommy makeover.  It is a big red flag that your surgeon will not show you any pictures of his previous work!  You need to find a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery who specializes in body contouring procedures. The ASPS website will provide a list of properly trained surgeons in your area. You should go on several consultations to find a surgeon you feel comfortable with. Ask to see a lot of before and after pictures of their work. Hope this helps.

I always recommend patients to review as many before and after photos performed by the Surgeon they are considering as possible as well as reviewing patient testimonials. Also, be sure to check with American Board of Plastic surgery to see if the Surgeon is Board Certified.

Personally, I think seeing photos is really important to our patients.  Studies show that this is a high priority item.  Not having any photos for you to see at all is a bit of a red flag, IMO.I'd recommend shopping around a bit more.We have dozens of photos on our website, for both the BAM and TT.  The idea is to show a variety of body types, so people can get an idea of the quality of the work.