Social Media and Plastic Surgery
We think people from all walks of life would agree: social media has its pros and cons. As a busy New York cosmetic surgery practice, we think we know them all!
Seriously, social media offers many benefits to plastic surgeons and consumers, chiefly in the realm of education. At the same time, there are a variety of pitfalls to be aware of, some with potentially serious consequences.
Learning about Cosmetic Surgery and Plastic Surgeons
Having practiced cosmetic surgery in New York for more than 30 years, we remember when the notion of having a website was fairly new. What a pleasure it was to use this new way to educate potential patients. As people grew more accustomed to turning to the Internet for information on products and services, the general public gradually became more knowledgeable about their options and what to expect. This is all to the good!
What’s not as positive is that platforms like Snapchat and Instagram seem to prompt people to compare themselves to others and trigger the desire to copy the appearance of a friend or celebrity. Most reputable, board certified plastic surgeons are dismayed to hear those motivations in the consultation room—these patients often set themselves up to be disappointed with the results of surgery. In our case, if we can’t come to a common understanding with patients like this, we tend to turn them away.
What’s worse is that some doctors who are not specifically trained in plastic surgery leap at the opportunity social media presents to lure patients to their office. Some people don’t realize that you simply need to be an M.D. to hang out a sign and start performing cosmetic surgery, there’s no requirement beyond that. Of course, patients are much better off choosing a plastic surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS)—it’s the only way to be sure that the doctor has spent years of residency actually performing cosmetic procedures under proper supervision and has been evaluated by his or her peers. Read more about certification here.
The Wall Street Journal published an article on this problem recently, highlighting the fact that doctors with various specialties—from emergency medicine to gynecology—appear to publish a great many of the posts on popular photo sharing platforms. Some take no more than a weekend course in a particular procedure before seeking patients to boost their income.
Choosing a Cosmetic Surgeon
When researching cosmetic surgeons, an option popular with patients today is reading online reviews. This opportunity can also be a mixed blessing for both parties.
Most of us have researched a restaurant, hairdresser or hotel and been skeptical about some of the reviews. Whether they are too glowing to ring true or the reverse, online reviews can be confusing and should be read with a critical eye.
A great many plastic surgeons have been the target of a disgruntled patient. In fact, it seems to happen to every plastic surgeon at least once, for one or more of these reasons: the healing process may have gone awry, the patient may not have followed instructions, it could be a case of body dysmorphic disorder, and sometimes, yes, even a great doctor can make a mistake.
Most professionals will go to great lengths to ensure each patient is satisfied, but occasionally there’s just no pleasing someone. The rest is easy to guess—a person like this will often post vivid, extremely negative reviews everywhere possible. (If a particular plastic surgery review is of concern, further investigation may be revealing. On Yelp, for instance, clicking on a person’s name may show that it’s their habit to post negative reviews on many things.)
How Should Patients Make Decisions?
We always encourage prospective patients to use the widest range of information sources possible when considering a procedure and evaluating plastic surgeons. It’s a great idea to choose two or three doctors for consultations by:
• Learning about the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons. They only accept doctors certified by the ABPS as members, and both websites offer a great deal of information on surgeons and procedures;
• Reviewing prospective plastic surgeon’s websites;
• Visiting comprehensive websites such as RealSelf that feature reviews and more; and
• Talking with friends and considering input from social media.
An educated patient who has done plenty of research will be ready to walk into a consultation room and make the most of the time. Savvy patients can:
• Probe anything interesting or confusing they may have discovered on line;
• Ask questions that go beyond basic information-gathering;
• Feel confident and self assured about interacting with medical staff; and
• Be ready to feel that “click” when they’ve met the right plastic surgeon.
If you’d like to have a consultation about cosmetic surgery with us in New York, we’re ready! Just call 212-570-6080 to get started.
