Should a person consider getting cosmetic surgery from a doctor who presents pictures that show imperfect results?

Thank you for your question regarding whether to trust a surgeon who presents pictures of imperfect results. It’s a thoughtful question, and there are a few important factors to consider when evaluating a surgeon’s portfolio.

First, it’s important to recognize that not every patient will achieve perfect results, no matter how skilled the surgeon. Scarring, keloiding, and uneven skin texture can be influenced by individual factors like a patient’s skin type, genetics, and healing ability. A surgeon who is transparent about a range of outcomes, including imperfections, is showing an honest representation of their work. This can be a sign of integrity and professionalism, as they’re not cherry-picking only the best cases.

That said, it’s also essential to understand that your own results are likely to be similar to what is shown in the photos. If a surgeon consistently shows certain types of scars or healing patterns, you should expect that your results may follow a similar path, based on your individual healing process. If most of the results appear acceptable to you, that can be reassuring, but if the outcomes seem concerning, it’s worth considering how you’d feel if your own results were similar.

Ultimately, look at the overall pattern of the surgeon’s results. If the majority of cases show excellent outcomes and only a few show minor imperfections, it’s more likely these are individual healing variations rather than surgical issues. However, you should feel confident not only in the surgeon’s skill but also in your expectations being aligned with the results you see.

I recommend having an open discussion with the surgeon during your consultation to address your concerns and better understand their approach to managing scarring and other potential outcomes.

Sincerely,
Dr. Katzen

Thank you for your question.
Selecting a plastic surgeon is all up to personal preference. At the minimum, you should look for a surgeon who is board certified and working at an accredited facility. All surgeons are likely to have results that are not ideal which can be due to a number of factors; however, it is based on how comfortable you are. If you are on the fence between surgeons, I recommend having multiple consultations to find which is right for you.

Great question.
Every experienced surgeon has complications and scars that aren't as nice as we'd like. The outcome of scars also depends on the patient's skin, however, if all of the photos show bad scarring that may be of concern.
It would be reasonable to ask the surgeon if he thinks these scars are good or not good and if he expects your scars to be the same or better.