Buyer-Beware

Another blog message from Fort Myers Cosmetic Surgeon, Dr. Robert J. Brueck MD

BEFORE/AFTER PHOTOS – BUYER BEWARE

The highly competitive market place for cosmetic surgery procedures creates somewhat questionable practices. No other area is as susceptible as so-called "before and after" photos.

With all the newest technologies – new vendors – new software programs such as Photoshop by Adobe systems - "after" photos can be altered to give that “WOW!” effect. These altered "before and after" photo’s can be changed to the point where a prospective patient says, “Wow, I want that."

A case in point of deception is found in a widely-aired television commercial for a trademarked surgical procedure.

The "after" photo’s reveal a result that would be impossible to obtain with this one procedure.

At the bottom of the post-op photo is a disclaimer wherein the producers of the commercial state that other procedures also were done. How many people will see let alone read the disclaimer?

Legal? – yes. Deceptive? – for sure.

I have always told my new patients – "when you become my patient, you get total honesty and I treat you like a member of my family."