subject: Programs Used By Plastic Surgeons Are Not Always Realistic [print this page] If you want to find out what you will look like after getting cosmetic surgery, you might use one of the many computer programs used by plastic surgeons. In fact, there are some websites and phone applications that do the same thing, which is to allow you to upload a photo of yourself and manipulate it until you get a result you like. If you want a new nose or chin, or fewer wrinkles, this type of program can seem helpful, but there are a few reasons you should avoid expecting the exact result you see on the computer screen.
You should first keep in mind that these programs cannot display all the nuances of the human face. Some of the results that show up on these tools used by plastic surgeons are just not realistic because they do not take into account the bone structure and skin type of every patient. Of course, you can get a good idea of how you might look, but many of the minor details could differ from your final result.
You should also know that relying on computer programs to get an idea of possible results could lead you to want additional surgery. This is because for many people, playing around with the possibilities can get somewhat addictive. Instead of just changing how your nose might look after rhinoplasty, you might also check out how your face would look after Botox, a lift, or blepharoplasty. While doing so could be interesting and might help you decide on future cosmetic surgery options, it can be dangerous if you have an addictive personality.
For these reasons, you might find that using your plastic surgeon's collection of before and after photos can provide a more realistic look at what you might get after surgery. Just try to find someone with a facial structure similar to yours. You can ask your doctor for help with this so you can get an idea of the possible results. There should be plenty of photos to look through, either on the website or in the office. This option may be better than a computer program for many patients, so look into it before you schedule an appointment for surgery.
You can always try out both options, since many plastic surgeons offer more than one way to give you an idea of how you might look after an operation. Just ask your doctor which tools he or she has. Then you can make a decision on which kind of procedure you need.
