Social media and plastic surgery

As human beings, we are by nature social. Plastic surgeons also apply this ability when they can win the trust of their patients and put them at ease before and after surgical procedures.

If we think back to before Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat were born, it is difficult to remember how the patients managed to obtain the information they needed, how the patients were scheduled, how feedback was requested from the surgeon or how the check posts were managed. -operators.

It certainly took much longer and was certainly more expensive. The evolution of social media in the field of plastic surgery has transformed the way information is provided, communicated and response times change.

In a recent study, the power of the Internet was shown in influencing patients’ choices regarding breast augmentation. The research found that more than half of patients started searching for information about the procedure via web searches: 41% with Google, 18% with a website on the subject in general, and 11% with the website of a plastic surgeon. Only 10% initially consulted a plastic surgeon.

Recognizing the vast power of the Internet, many plastic surgeons have developed websites to offer prospective patients information about their credentials, philosophy, operations performed, and basic questions and answers about procedures. Plastic surgery is increasingly entering this non-traditional marketing space to not only connect with their patients, but also to educate the community, advertise and remain competitive. Social media has been adopted by professional plastic surgery organizations, including the American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgery (ASAPS) and the American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS), which have both incorporated Twitter, Facebook and YouTube into their meetings. national and their websites. This type of interactivity is especially useful for helping patients feel “in touch” with their surgeons or other medical experts.