Can I Get 3D Imaging of Face Surgery Results On Me?

Q: Dr. Eppley,I would like a virtual consultations with 3d imaging of what will be medically possible to make me look prettier. Im looking to do rhinoplasty as well . Im not sure if you do that as well but can you show me a picture of what outcome I can get if I were to have an implant or some type of work done to make my face more balanced.

A:Thank you for your inquiry. You have a common misconception about what imaging is designed to achieve. Photo imaging and manipulations thereof is not done to show patients what their surgical outcome will be… no one can predict or guarantee that with absolute accuracy.  Rather it is done to determine what the patient’s objectives are by trying to seeing what changes they see as aesthetically beneficial. Then that imaging serves as the target for which surgical procedures are designed to try and achieve or come reasonably close to it within the restrcctions of what tissue healing and their anatomy will allow. In other words 3D picture imaging is about goal setting not about outcomes.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Plastic Surgeon