subject: Computer Imaging See The after Even Before You Begin [print this page] Vacations start with a sort of destination, imagery of far away lands we wish to travel. We review photos and brochures to confirm these locations, precise visual affirmations of our dreams. In the early 21st century, venturing down the road of Plastic Surgery allows us to do just that preview our result, even before we take the first step into the operating room. Its called Digital Computer Imaging. As with any journey, we get to see pictures and photos of the places we will visit. So is true of the cosmetic surgical adventure because technology allows you to see your after photograph prior to submitting to the ways of cold, hard surgical steel. Rarely would you take that trip if you didnt get to see just exactly where you were going. And today, you can see what you will look like long before any scalpel or laser touches your skin.
You may be one of the many with apprehension when considering to better ones self through cosmetic surgery. You want to proceed but the fear of an unpredictable result has stopped you in your tracks. How can you be confident that the way you are going to look when youre through is indeed the way you had intended from the start? Your trepidation in these regards can now be squelched. Your destination is clear.
Heres how it works: You sit before the camera, a few pictures are taken, and then you get to watch as the surgeon molds, carves, and shapes your body or face into your anticipated post operative result. Theres no blood, no suture, just a picture of you as would be seen after your planned improvement. Like any other computer gizmo, unrealistic and abuse potential exists, but the honest surgeon can show you your real likeness that can come out of the operating room. In the old days, doctors would use pencil and paper to draw for you how they envisioned your result. When Polaroid film was developed, overlay material was successful in this endeavor. But now, with the ability and clarity to take high quality, high-resolution photos and integrate them with a computer results are more clearly relayed to the patient.
Shaving off the hump of ones nose is simple and probably doesnt need such technology to get the surgical message across. As to it is true for breast augmentation where two-dimensional images do little to augment the effects seen by stuffing ones bra. But, with laser resurfacing, facelifts, eyelid surgery, liposuction and tummy tucks, this tool can so well mimic the surgical results that it becomes almost a necessary tool for those of us who use it. If you want your face to look younger, well then, snapsnap click, click and with a stroke of an electronic pen you actually get to see what you can look like when youre through. Oh, thats what you mean! exclaims the patient who understands the computer image far better than any words can ever describe. Technical jargon and doctor mumbo-jumbo is replaced by a picture, a photograph, a wonderful way to convey to the patient exactly what can and cannot be done through cosmetic surgery.
Seeing is believing, a pictures worth a thousand words this technology cuts through all the dialog of the past and discretely shows to you in just minutes what used to take an hour or more in consultation. Do you like it? Great now let us move on. Or, Oh, you dont like it. Well, thats what Im talking about, so maybe you should move on. This tool is extremely powerful in patient-doctor communication.
To be imaged is so non-threatening and so easy that everyone thinking about cosmetic surgery should have it done. Some offices use non-doctor personnel to work the cameras and computers. And, so long as your surgeon approves the finalized computer image, there should be no qualms about that. Overuse or over zealous use (abuse) has the potential to try and sell you on a certain procedure or technique, and this can be difficult to sniff out. But, if honest and realistic images are presented, then you, the patient, have that much more information with which to make your decision. Begin your plastic surgery adventure with accurate computer imaging, and you will see for yourself how you can look after surgery even before you have it. Say cheese!
For additional information on computer imaging in cosmetic and plastic surgery, contact The Cosmetic Surgery Information Center at 800-535-0380 or through its website at www.cosmeticsurgerypak.com
