Is it normal for a doctor not to show before/after pictures?

When planning surgery it is very important that you feel comfortable and confident in your surgeon and surgical plan. This is the person you will need to discuss your surgical goals with, as well as any concerns you may have after surgery. In my practice we share before/after photos of past patients with their consent. This helps potential patients during the implant selection process as well as allows them to feel confident in what they can expect.

This is a reasonable concern. You should feel comfortable with the surgeon you decide to have surgery with. This starts from the moment you walk into their office and meet with your doctor and staff. Surgery is a big decision, and your surgeon should discuss any questions and concerns you may have beyond the ones you have prepared beforehand. Sometimes, surgeons do not have consent from other patients to show photos, or cannot share photos for other reasons. It is important for surgeons to manage expectations, and it is often hard to make 100% promises or guarantees. Bottom line is that you should be feeling good and confident in your surgeon (not drained). Hope this helps!

Hello,

And thank you for the question.

It is definitely normal to ask the Plastic Surgeon for their before and after photos.
It may be also helpful to speak to some of his patients who underwent similar procedure if photos are not available.

I hope this helps.
Good luck!

Dr. Irena Karanetz
Breast Fellowship-Trained
Board Certified Plastic Surgeon