Before
& After Photos
OUR APPROACH: WHY NO BEFORE AND AFTER PICTURES ON OUR WEBSITE?
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We have resisted the marketing pressure to feature a
gallery of before and after pictures on our website. We are very
proud of our results, but have had strong ethical reservations featuring
such a gallery. |
The following considerations have influenced our opinions and hence our website:
- Patient Confidentiality: It seems unethical or,
at minimum, insensitive to a female patient to publish her nude
pictures on the internet for the world to see. Most of our patients who
have facial surgery want their surgery to be confidential. (Would you want
your pictures on the internet?)
- Patient Selection: Any savvy consumer must assume that only
the best results are exhibited in a marketing website.
- Picture Selection: Certainly the most favorable views
are the ones exhibited.
- Photos Are Two Dimensional: What looks good may
feel firm and abnormal.
- Each patient is unique: What is shown in before and after
pictures represents the results in that particular patient and has little
bearing on any future patients' results.
Marketing is the primary value of before and after pictures exhibited
on a surgeon's website. While our website has marketing impact, we have
attempted to provide ethical and factual information for potential
cosmetic surgery patients.
OUR APPROACH
- While we have avoided putting pictures our website, In our consultations,
our surgeons (not an assistant) show and discuss before and after pictures
in our patient conferences. While we are happy to show the quality of our
results to prospective patients, the intent of showing photos is to illustrate
specific points related to the procedure.
- We believe that THE DISPLAY AND DISCUSSION OF BEFORE AND AFTER
PHOTOS IN THE CONTEXT OF A PERSONAL CONSULTATION BY THE SURGEON CAN BE
VERY IMPORTANT IN THE PATIENT’S UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROPOSED PROCEDURE.
- We make an effort to show A SPECTRUM OF OUR RESULTS - good, average, and
those that illustrate potential problems or complications.
The real value of photos is to help ensure that our patients have REALISTIC EXPECTATIONS
in regard to surgical results. Showing a surgeon’s best result is of limited
value .
. .
We encourage patients who want TO SEE REAL, generic PHOTOGRAPHS to visit the
links to ASPS
PICUTRE GALLERY » or ASAPS
PICTURES ».
 Before
& After Photos
Cosmetic Surgery: Promises and Pitfalls™
PROMISES
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Publicly
displayed before and after pictures (ads, marketing
seminars or internet) may help you make the decision
to have cosmetic surgery but they may not be the
best way to select a surgeon. |
Actual photo from recent advertisement
for a patented mini lift shows non-comparable pose,
expression, lighting, makeup, hairstyle, but most interesting
is the shading beneath the n This shading
has been added to the photograph!
FAVORABLE, OFTEN DRAMATIC RESULTS shown in print
ads and Internet sites are very enticing to the consumer. The potential patient
is asked to assume that the outstanding results displayed are representations
of the surgeon’s typical result and a guarantee of a similar result for him/herself.
PITFALLS
- Beautiful before and after photographs have
a POWERFUL MARKETING EFFECT. However, are these pictures
really helpful or are they misleading to the potential
patient? Do they represent the BEST result or the typical
result? If a surgeon guarantees results, be sure to get
it in writing! No ethical surgeon can guarantee results.
PICTURES - REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLES?
One can only assume that photos used
in an advertising context are very carefully selected.
How does a consumer know whether the results portrayed
are a true representation of that surgeon’s work
or his/her career best?
PHOTOGRAPHIC TRICKS?
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Glamour
Shot?
This
is from an actual article: Texas Monthly/November
1981 |
You will notice that in advertising by cosmetic
surgeons, (see Promises and
Pitfalls: How to Analyze an Advertisement - Consumer
Beware!) » many physicians will use the same
photo over and over for years. It is only natural that
surgeons present their work in the best possible light,
but this can lead to unintentional (or intentional) misrepresentation.
Photographic techniques such as lighting, poses, hairstyles,
makeup, clothing and jewelry can significantly enhance
one’s appearance.
This is obvious in the before and after
photos shown below in which the photographer, not the
surgeon, improved the subject!
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An interesting example of
this is seen in photos of these two models. No surgery
was performed before the second photo was taken. Pretty
spectacular results! (Photographs used with permission
from Hilton Becker, M.D., Boca Raton, FL.) |
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|
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As another example, even a movie star's appearance
varies with the photographic conditions. (Photos published
in the National Enquirer.) |
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COMPUTER TRICKS
Digital enhancement is prevalent in modern photography,
allowing top quality images, as well as a wide range
of special effects. However, the potential for misuse
of this technology is the problem; it is impossible for
the consumer to be sure of the authenticity of post-operative
photos in cosmetic surgery. (photoshop)
PHOTOS ARE TWO-DIMENSIONAL
In certain procedures, the appearance of a body part reflects
only one aspect of the result. For example, a hand, which
appears normal in a still photo, yet actually has a severe
functional impairment, only seems to represent a good surgical
result.
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Though the
breasts appear very normal, the right breast is very
hard. |
Similarly, a breast, which appears attractive, but is
very hard, is not what it seems! Thus even comparable before
and after pictures tell only part of the story!
A savvy consumer must look beyond the before and after pictures — credentials,
reputation, accreditation of facilities, etc.
Our
Procedures Page »
Promises
and Pitfalls Information »
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