It would be an understatement to say that viewing before and after photos is a crucial part of the breast augmentation process. Just as important as viewing the results of actual patients, however, is doing so with the right techniques in mind; there’s more to it than simply clicking through photos.
To make the most of your time spent online, and as result, in your consultation, steer clear of the following “do’s and don’ts” when scrolling through real patient photo galleries:
Don’t skip this step. Really.
Again, we cannot stress the importance of this process enough. Think of it as your time to really begin imagining the possible results of your breast augmentation (or any procedure, for that matter). Plus, it provides valuable insight into the quality and style of the surgeon’s work. Just do it. (You can learn more about other research you should do before your breast augmentation in our related blog post.)
Don’t ignore the photo gallery quality.
If the before and after photos you’re viewing are poorly organized, you might want to think twice about that specific plastic surgeon. That’s not to say a photo gallery is the only factor you should consider, but it is undoubtedly a big one. If a plastic surgeon doesn’t take pride in showcasing past results, it’s a huge red flag. Watch out for these, too:
- Photos that are not clear or consistently sized can skew the appearance of results.
- Photos with no descriptions can be misleading, especially if the surgery was combined with a breast lift or other procedures.
- Lack of photos: If a plastic surgeon claims to be a breast augmentation specialist but only has two patient photos, for example, there is a definite disconnect.
Do look for patients who are built like you.
You’ll want to find patients who have physical proportions similar to your own. This will help set realistic expectations for your own procedure and avoid an awkward conversation later to keep things in perspective. Because no two patients’ bodies are the same, no two patients will have the same results.
Do assess whether the results look natural.
Few patients want to look like they’ve had “work done.” Even people who want significantly larger breasts usually want their breasts to look natural. As you browse through before and after photos, look for how the breasts transition to the rest of the body. Are the edges of the implants visible? Does the breast look like it’s a natural part of the patient’s body? You can see some of my patients’ results in the photos below. (Simply click on each individual photo to go to a full description of the patient’s procedure details.)
Don’t forget to save your favorite photos.
Once you’ve viewed a few real patient photos, you might start to forget specifics. So, be sure to write your likes and dislikes down! It may be helpful to compile notes, print out photos, and magazine clippings into a binder. We definitely encourage this. Some patients find creating a private Pinterest board helpful to organize their favorites. Do whatever works best for you!
If you take these tips to heart, you’ll be able to look at any breast augmentation photo gallery with a keen eye. Your plastic surgeon will allocate time to answer specific questions and to look at even more before and after photos when you come in for your initial consultation.
Ready to test out what you’ve learned? Take a peek at more of my patients’ breast augmentation before and after photos. And when you’re ready to take the next step, request a consultation or call my office at (518) 328-3330. I’ll be happy to talk with you about the type of results you can achieve.
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