Plastic surgeons often advise potential patients to view before-and-after photos online before they meet with surgeons. It helps patients get an idea of what results are possible for them and what a particular doctor can do. Evaluating these photos can be especially important in delicate surgeries where natural-looking results are crucial, such as with facelift surgery.
My Chicago patients often seem more at ease when they have viewed before-and-after photos of my facelift work before a consultation with me. In this blog post, I’ll offer some tips for evaluating photos of facelift results. (And don’t forget to check out my related blog post to learn some of the questions you should ask for facelift surgeon at your consultation.)
If you’re considering having a facelift, keep these tips in mind when reviewing before-and-after photos:
- Results should look natural. In the photo taken after surgery, the patient’s face should not look like a different person. He or she should merely look like a younger, more refreshed version of the person in the first photo. It should never be obvious that the patient has had surgery, so drastic changes or a “pulled” look are red flags. Dr. Mustoe explains more about this desired result in the video below:
- Pictures in each set should be similar. The patient should be posed the same way in each photo, and the lighting should be the same. Extending or tucking a chin, flexing facial muscles, or smiling can make a world of difference between photos, and so can better lighting. Makeup can also greatly change someone’s appearance, so be sure it is similar in each photo, as well. Good surgical practices direct their patients during photo shoots to make sure these factors don’t significantly affect the outcome.
- The more examples, the better. Good surgeons also provide a lot of examples of their work. This way, prospective patients are more likely to find photos that exhibit some of their own concerns. Surgeons should also be able to provide more photos during a consultation than what they have on their websites. Many patients who are uncomfortable having their pictures on a website will give permission to show their photos in a more private office setting.
Often, a patient will have other procedures performed along with their facelift. A good photo gallery will include these additional details, so you know what surgeries are responsible for the results you see. Some of the procedures most commonly paired with facelift surgery include neck lifts, eyelid surgery (blepharoplasty), and brow lifts.
It’s also important to note the different results achieved with different facelift techniques. You can read more about this in Verywell Health’s Facelift Before and After photos article.
Before-and-after photos can be a very valuable tool for patients if they know how to use them. That’s why I keep my own facelift photo gallery up to date. Feel free to browse through my patients’ before-and-after photos to get a sense of the results men and women enjoy at my practice.
If you’re ready to discuss the facial rejuvenation options that are best for you with an experienced facelift surgeon in Chicago, schedule a consultation at my practice. You can request a consultation using our online contact form or by calling our office at (312) 788-2560.
Leave a Reply