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Plastic surgery before and after photos allow patients to determine what results are feasible. These photos can help prospective patients appreciate what they will look like after their desired procedure. When a surgeon provides ample number of before and after results, it can make it possible for a patient to find someone that looks like themselves. Most importantly, it is a critical factor to making an informed decision when trying to choose the most qualified surgeon.
An experienced plastic surgeon will present numerous before and after photos to demonstrate that they are an expert by the sheer number or volume of cases performed. Furthermore, they will present their patient outcomes using multiple views. By observing multiple angles or 360-degree view of the outcomes, prospective patients will better appreciate how meticulous a surgeon is. For example, merely improving the appearance of the abdomen following a tummy tuck without regard of the flanks is no longer acceptable. Today body contouring requires improving the torso circumferentially, termed 360. As a result the term, lipo 360, has become popularized over the last few years. The addition of HD, HD lipo 360, has provided even more expectations in outcomes as it denotes high definition which requires results to be exceptional and “jaw dropping”.
A Critical Eye

You must pay close attention to the actual details in the before and after photos. The terminology that we teach our patients is to “Judge photos with a Critical Eye.” Patients will quickly realize that it’s not enough for the post-procedure picture to be presented smaller than the pre-procedure picture. For example in before and after photos, the sizing of plastic surgery can be manipulated such that it isnot indicative of improvements following a body contouring procedure. For example following liposuction body contouring, the outcomes can be manipulated so that the after photo is smaller than the pre photo. This does not mean that successful liposuction was performed to make the patient look smaller and rather that the post photo has been taken from farther away to make the patient look smaller.

Furthermore, patients should look for improvement in contour lines and aesthetic curves created by the surgeon. Even changes in lighting must be constant so that differences in lighting don’t create the illusion of improvements. For example – a more exposed or brighter lighting photograph can hide wrinkles, making a patient’s facelift result or cellulite look better than it really is.