subject: The Purpose Of Before And After Pictures [print this page] Many doctors keep several before and after photos in their offices. Some are kept in albums, some are posted on the office walls, and still others are posted online. These photos tend to benefit everyone involved in the process of surgery. The current patient is able to see the results of the work. Potential patients can see examples of the results they can expect. Even doctors can look over their work and see what they were able to accomplish.
The Patient
When a patient comes in for any type of treatment or procedure that will create a noticeable change in appearance, the doctor will probably ask him or her to participate in before and after pictures. The first photos show what a person looked like at one of the first appointment. It may be taken from the front, from the back, or even in profile, depending on the type of procedure. Once the work is complete and the patient has had time to heal, other photos will be taken.
It can be encouraging for a patient to see the results of the procedure and his or her hard work. Recovery is not always easy patients may need to miss out on time at work, skip over some of their normal activities and interrupt their overall routine. The photos serve to show just how much their appearance has changed and point out the benefits of proceeding with the treatment.
Potential Patients
So many people think that they want a certain surgery or procedure performed but they have a hard time being able to imagine what they will look like once it is complete. The before and after pictures give them examples of how other patients' bodies have changed. They can find someone with a similar body style or condition and then look to see how things turned out. It can even help potential patients decide which type of procedure they are interested in and how drastic they want the changes to be. The before and after pictures are used as a resource.
The Doctor
Once the doctor's work is complete and the patient has healed, it is time to complete the set of before and after pictures. A practitioner wants to see how much of a change he or she has been able to create. Sometimes the difference in subtle and that is okay with both the patient and doctor. Other times, the changes are dramatic and everyone is thrilled with the results. Either way, the physician can use these photos much like a portfolio, showing the work that he or she is capable of. They can be used in a variety of different ways to bring in more businesses or to reassure patients that are on the fence about a specific procedure. They show off a doctor's work.
