Social Media and Plastic Surgery

Never before have prospective plastic surgery patients had such a wide variety of information about all forms of plastic surgery available to them. With the ever-increasing popularity of social media, these patients have the opportunity to learn about plastic surgery procedures, post-surgical recovery, and long-term results through social media sites such as RealSelf, Facebook, and Instagram. Through these avenues, patients may communicate with others who may be exploring options or who may have already had surgery by learning about specific surgeons, what types of results to expect, what the typical recovery process is like, and what other patients’ overall experiences were like after having had surgery. On some of these social media sites, the use of selfies has allowed patients to share their photos with others, allowing them to have a better understanding about typical surgical outcomes and the recovery process. Many plastic surgery practice websites also have very useful and thorough information about their surgeons and staff, details about the procedures that are offered, as well as before and after photos.

With all of these excellent resources right at your fingertips, it is also very important to have a thorough discussion with one or more board certified plastic surgeons. By doing this, your specific goals can be outlined, and a safe and personalized plan can be made in order to allow you to achieve them. Social media and the internet should not be your only resource, but when used responsibly, they are an incredibly valuable addition to a thorough discussion with your surgeon.

Please check out the video below to view a recent news segment featuring Dr. Martin, about the effects of selfies and social media on plastic surgery.