Before and afters’ are like a makeup artists portfolio to a plastic surgeon. To showcase their work, and help you get a better idea of what results you might be able to expect, most clinics provide examples online. It’s essentially the look-book we shop through before choosing surgeons to have a consultation. However, not all before and after photos are reasonable indications of what you might be able to expect out of your plastic surgery.
Here are some points to look out for when searching through potential surgeons portfolio;
Symmetry
No one is perfectly symmetrical, but plastic surgery should, at the very least, maintain the natural symmetry as well as enhance areas you pointed out as part of your consultation. In many cases, plastic surgery is an option to help improve asymmetry, where breasts are irregular in size, or a nose may be slightly unbalanced.
Scaring
Scarring after procures is inevitable, but a skilled plastic surgeon should place incisions in such a way that they have a minimised appearance after they have healed. If scarring is very noticeable or looks as though it hasn’t healed properly, these can raise a red flag and is something that you should discuss during consultations.
It’s not unusual for scars to look swollen, red or raised post-procedure for the first few weeks or months. If scars in the ‘after’ photos are looking un-healed, reach out to the surgeon and ask what point of the recovery they were taken. It is essential these look as natural as possible, and as mentioned in the positives, as discrete as possible.
Natural Results
For many, the objective is to use cosmetic procedures to enhance yourself, not make dramatic changes. Seeing bodies that are enhanced, yet compliment the ‘before’ is a sign of a thorough consultation to achieve the best look possible.
Although for some natural isn’t the goal, there will be surgeons who are able to achieve a specific look.
Range
Seeing a variety of different body shapes, sizing and skin colours shows the capability to tailor procedures to fit each person’s needs. It is particularly important that the photos you are seeing are close to your body. These will reflect your chosen plastic surgeon’s ability to work with someone of your size, shape and skin tone.
Photos
If all the images displayed on the website feature people of the same build, you may want to reconsider. The cookie-cutter mould doesn’t present a range of skills, with the ability to tailor the procedure to your body-type and goals. Reaching out ask asking to see more before and after photos is also a great way to gauge this.
Editing
Editing or photoshopping before and afters is a big red flag. For obvious reasons, you want to see the natural result, and it’s crucial you don’t go in with unrealistic expectations. Other things to look out for are odd camera angles and strange lighting that may distort the final results.
Quality & Quantity
Usually, it’s quality over quantity; however, in this case, it’s both. Ensuring your surgeon has a well-rounded portfolio is vital. Outdated photos are a red flag, ask to see recent work to ensure the surgeon is still practising at a high level.
Words: Georgia Rose Images: Pinterest