Digital Image Simulation of Your Considered Aesthetic Surgery

It isn’t about technology … it isn't about hardware and software … and it isn't about a making a perfect picture of your face. It is a proven, essential, and effective way for you to communicate "a desired facial image you have in mind" to your surgeon and to obtain your surgeon’s opinion concerning realistic results for the changes you desire in your facial appearance. Together, you and your surgeon may effortlessly explore your options and gain mutual understanding by creating a shared visual prediction of your image after surgery.

The Process As an important feature of your initial consultation with Dr. Donat, we digitally photograph your image and present your image on a flat screen, so that we may review your many positive aesthetic features before considering any changes. Using the technology available, we then modify your image to demonstrate one or even several possible surgical outcomes for your consideration.

The procedures best demonstrated by computer imaging are those involving surgery of the nose, face, forehead and eyelids. It goes without saying that the process of changing an image on a computer screen is quite different from the surgical process, as unique considerations for your individual anatomy, surgical planning, surgical completion and your healing process remain. Additionally, the two-dimensional nature of the technology somewhat affects what can be imaged. In the hands of an experienced surgeon, such as Dr. Donat, digital imaging is used to present a natural image, not an idealized image, of what is possible for your aesthetic surgery. "In the hands of experience" is no small part of the previous statement. Creating a realistic postoperative image requires expert knowledge of facial anatomy to present the benefits and limitations of any surgery. Dr. Donat has been utilizing imaging software for the last ten years and he has found imaging to be an artistically elegant and powerful tool for preoperative education and communication.

Refining Your Goals and Expectations

Digital image simulation allows us to present both “side-by-side” and “in-motion” before-and-after image comparisons. Using these images, you help us to accurately learn about what you are trying to achieve. As we listen to your concerns and learn about your expectations, we can use digital imaging to help you understand and dramatically visualize your options, for everyone’s benefit. For example, we may discuss imaging of your nose showing just a refinement of the bridge area of the nose. Subsequently, we may further discuss imaging that portrays both a nasal bridge refinement and your additional desire to refine the tip of your nose. Frequently, we find that the subtle changes (or refinements), desired in one’s appearance are often the sweetest. These subtle changes are often very difficult for you or even your surgeon to describe, yet they are easily understood and shared using our digital demonstration.

Our Discussion

Once the images of your potential results are presented, we encourage you to take your time in considering them and be sure to ask questions which they may provoke. As we review your images together, we use this time to answer your questions and discuss your options. For example, some patients have done extensive research, have put a great deal to time and thought into their decision, have realistic expectations and are ready to proceed with surgery. Others may like what they see but are not ready for surgery. Completing a consultation and digital imaging does not mean you are ready to sign up for surgery, but you will find that digital image simulation enhances your learning about the goals and limitations of various aesthetic surgery procedures and allows you to foresee and “try on” your intended facial image.

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