Abstract
Importance Preoperative imaging provides an advantageous balance by helping patients to effectively communicate their aesthetic desires while allowing surgeons to establish realistic expectations of surgical outcomes. Objective To determine the role of preoperative imaging and the importance of online-based photo galleries in influencing a patient's decision to pursue cosmetic facial plastic surgery. Design, Setting, and Participants A retrospective study was conducted on 100 patients who underwent preoperative imaging prior to undergoing aesthetic facial plastic surgery from July 2019 to May 2020. An in-office physician-led clinical consultation followed by a preoperative imaging session was performed on each patient prior to surgical intervention. A 6-question survey was provided once to all patients between their 3- and 12-month postoperative time periods. Main Outcomes and Measures The importance of preoperative imaging and the influence of physician website and social media photo galleries regarding surgical decision-making was evaluated. Results A total of 100 participants (female [90; 90%]) and mean age 52.6 (range, 18–77) years were included. Nearly 60% of patients underwent facial rejuvenation procedures. All reported that preoperative in-office physician consultation in combination with the use of preoperative imaging were helpful in facilitating a commitment to surgical intervention. Sixty-nine (69%) patients endorsed the use of both the frontal and lateral imaging views, while 30 (30%) deemed a single angle to be superior. Seventy (70%) participants utilized online-based “before & after” photo galleries in the form of physician websites and/or social media platforms to assist in their decision to undergo surgical intervention. Conclusions and Relevance The combination of in-office physician consultation, preoperative imaging, and availability of website and/or social media photo galleries plays a key role in a patient's decision to pursue cosmetic surgery. Thus, implementation of all facets should become an integral part of any facial plastic surgeon's aesthetic practice.
Highlights
Regarding the aesthetic focus of facial plastic surgery patients, appearance is of top priority
The mere perception in degree of change to one’s facial appearance along with the realization that too far a swing of the metaphorical pendulum in one direction brings out an uncanny uncertainty in patients, which can translate into deferment of surgical intervention, even after consultation with the most articulate and seasoned surgeon
Of the 100 surveyed (58% facial rejuvenation, 40% rhinoplasty Æ chin augmentation, 2% chin augmentation without rhinoplasty), all participants agreed that implementation of preoperative
Summary
Regarding the aesthetic focus of facial plastic surgery patients, appearance is of top priority. The mere perception in degree of change to one’s facial appearance along with the realization that too far a swing of the metaphorical pendulum in one direction brings out an uncanny uncertainty in patients, which can translate into deferment of surgical intervention, even after consultation with the most articulate and seasoned surgeon. This is where preoperative imaging both defines and solidifies its hold firmly in the facial plastic surgeon’s armamentarium. Preoperative imaging has the ability to visually demonstrate outcomes of potential procedures in patients who are either not sure which procedures (s) they want to commit to or when deciphering if the benefits of one procedure outweighs those of another.[1,2,3,4,5] In essence, preoperative imaging provides patients with realistic possibilities, all the while building trust in the physician-patient relationship, so that a commitment to pursue surgical intervention can be made confidently.[1,2,3,4,5]
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