Before / After in Plastic, Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgery

In France, “The publication of photos, even if anonymized, or of ‘before and after’ iconography could lead to confusion between the obligation to provide information and the obligation to deliver results. The National Council also considers that this type of publication could lead to advertising for an uninformed public. Similarly, the presentation of individual situations under the guise of “clinical cases” is strictly prohibited.

Certainly, when practitioners show before-and-after photos, they tend to show their best cases. We can’t rule out the possibility that the photos have been retouched, sometimes in a natural way by playing with the lighting. On the other hand, I can understand the patient’s need to project himself or herself; in any case, the consultation is the ideal place to get honest information about what can be achieved, what won’t, what the after-effects will be and any complications.

Unfortunately, some forums are infiltrated to direct patients to particular surgeons or clinics. You need to be very wary, as this is sometimes done subtly, with deliberate misspellings, approximations, proposals for direct contact and so on. There are several hundred reputable surgeons in France capable of performing all plastic surgery procedures or, failing that, referring you to another surgeon in the event of a rare problem. If the flow of messages directs you to a particular surgeon, this should be a warning to you.

As always, the best way to choose a surgeon is by word-of-mouth from a friend who has undergone surgery, or from the attending physician, who in a way is morally responsible to you.

A doctor’s website aims to present his or her own professional activity. You should ask yourself whether a practitioner’s personal site bears an overly generic name. The name of the site should reflect the doctor’s identity, not just his or her specialty. A personal site called www.esthet.qqchse or www.maxillo.qqchse would only serve to fraudulently direct search engines. You should be aware that a website is not a surgeon.

Finally, article R4127-19-1 of the French Public Health Code stipulates that a doctor’s communication must be fair and honest, and not rely on third-party testimony (Légifrance). In short, a patient can testify on his or her own channels, but a doctor cannot relay letters of satisfaction and testimonials on his or her website and networks.