Documenting Plastic Surgery on Social Media: A New Trend for Doctors?

by Wendy Travis

Social media is used in a wide variety of ways today, from connecting with old friends and long lost family members to promoting your business. Now, cosmetic doctors are beginning to dabble with the use of social media in their own practices, as patients begin turning to these channels for information and recommendation in the plastic surgery sector. In fact, one plastic surgeon in Texas has taken the use of social media to the next level by documenting one patient’s procedures on her social media pages. Will this be a new trend in the world of cosmetic surgery?

Broadcasting Live

A local Texas news station recently reported on efforts by Dr. Jennifer Walden to bring cosmetic surgery into the homes of all her current and prospect patients through the use of social media. Dr. Walden documented a smorgasbord of procedures she performed during a single session live on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Vine. The documentation was approved by the patient prior to the procedure.

In addition, Dr. Walden allowed the local news team to witness some of the procedures in the operating room. The session included blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), neck liposuction, fat injections and a facelift. News staff was on hand to see the fat grafting used to plump out fine lines around the mouth and eyes for a smoother outward appearance.

Educating the Masses

Dr. Walden provided the online documentation in hopes of educating more Texas residents about the realities of cosmetic procedures. She told the local news station, “I think it’s pretty important that we as a specialty embrace social media and use some of these avenues to reach patients and provide quality education about the procedures, about the anesthesia, about the safety of the facilities.”

Dr. Walden admits that much of the information patients get through the Internet is inaccurate. She hopes to change that by bringing the “real thing” to the table, allowing interested individuals to view what actually occurs during a cosmetic procedure. With a variety of treatments included, prospective patients receive information across a broad spectrum, no matter what type of procedure they might be interested in.

How Social Media Influences Cosmetic Surgery Although Dr. Walden’s documentation might be the first of its kind on social media networks, the influence of websites like Facebook on the cosmetic surgery industry is not new. Check out the many ways these networks have played a role in how, what, and why patients may seek out plastic surgery procedures:

Increase in Procedures – According to a recent poll conducted by the American Academy of Facial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, social media could be driving up the number of cosmetic procedures performed. The fact that individuals see more images of themselves on social networks like Facebook could be prompting them to seek out treatments to enhance their appearance and reverse the aging process. During 2012 alone, plastic surgeons saw a 31 percent increase in the number of procedures performed.
Improved Self-Esteem – As patients are seeing more images of themselves on social media, they see how others are viewing their image as well. Plastic surgeons are now encountering patients who want to improve their online appearance, to impress prospective employers, long-distance family members, and even ex-boyfriends and girlfriends that might be looking them up. The self-confidence boost many patients receive from cosmetic procedures has now expanded beyond special events like reunions and anniversaries to the ongoing need to look good on social networks.
More Information – Prospective cosmetic surgery patients may also be turning to social media sites to collect information about procedures they might be interested in. The American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery reported last year that 42 percent of patients obtained their information about cosmetic procedures from social media in 2011. That number marks a 13-percent increase from 2010.

Facebook appears to be permeating all aspects of daily life today, including the image many users have of themselves. Fortunately, there are many options in cosmetic procedures to help Facebook users enhance their appearance online and in person. Contact one of our representatives today for more information about plastic surgery options or to find a qualified cosmetic surgeon in your area today.