Plastic surgery for many is still a destination and not a convenience. The many cosmetic procedures are very specialized and expertise in one specific area may not be available locally. Like everything else in the world, the internet has made it possible for people to research and seek out the voluminous amount of material that can be accessed on cosmetic procedures. With patients able to do a lot of reading, the problem for them becomes how to interpret what they have read and how does it apply to themselves and their individual needs.

Nothing can supplant an actual visit to a plastic surgeon and a face-face consultation But this is not always possible and often inconvenient. To answer this need, plastic surgeons across the country are offering at-home live video consultations. Through the internet service, Skype, such webcam-based video interactions are not only easy to do but free. Having done a fair number of these Skype video sessions, I have learned that there are several things a patient should do to get the most out of that interaction.

First, get yourself an account on Skype through their website under your name. This process is free and takes just a few minutes to do. Once registered, make sure you then add the plastic surgeon you wish to consult with to your contact list. This requires knowing how their name is registered and that should be given to you by them. If not, you can look up their name under search and find them based on name and geographic location. In my case, I am registered under dr.barry.eppley. The plastic surgeon will then add you to their contact list and you will receive confirmation back. You can then send a text and work out a specific time for your session.

Second, make sure your audio and video is working properly prior to the scheduled time. About half the time, I have found that either the audio or video on the patient’s end is not working properly. That is usually because one has not done a ‘dry run’ first. Either one doesn’t have the connections right or has inadequate or faulty equipment. Unless you are on a relatively new computer, it pays to check your video source and microphone. Contact a friend first and do a test video session. It can save embarrassment and may avoid having to set up a second video session.

Third, it is helpful if the plastic surgeon has been provided some preparatory information. I like to have my Skype consults fill out the same paperwork that my in-office patients do in regards to medical history information. This is e-mailed to patients beforehand. Also, any photos that can help illustrate your concerns or problems are also helpful to send in advance. This is particularly important for facial plastic surgery procedures.

Lastly, write down any questions you have to ask the plastic surgeon in advance. You can use this as a reference through the session. Patients frequently fail to remember important questions and concerns in the heat of the moment. Focused questions can limit the session to a maximum of 15 to 20 minutes in most cases.

It is also important to understand the objectives of a video interaction. This is an informational conversation that provides both general and detailed information about your procedures of interest You can usually find out more in less than 15 minutes talking to an expert than they can gather from reading hours of online material.

Dr. Barry Eppley

Indianapolis, Indiana

The thirst for information about any topic continues to accelerate, primarily because of the internet. Unlike my childhood days when I thumbed through the encyclopedia, a near infinite amount of information is now available at the click of a mouse. Such ease of access has now made it possible for anyone with a computer or smart phone to do their own research.

Plastic and cosmetic surgery, like all popular topics, has jumped into this internet concept full force. Plastic surgeons, device and drug manufacturers, and patients themselves are flooding the internet with large volumes of both promotional and educational material on what is possible (and sometimes impossible) to enhance one’s appearance.

This deluge of information has served as an indirect method of promotion as more people are both aware and having cosmetic procedures than ever before. While the current recession has seen a mild drop in the number of invasive cosmetic surgeries, non-surgical enhancement procedures continue to increase.

Amidst this high public interest, the voluminous amount of internet material on cosmetic procedures has also created a new demand. A new type of information quest is wanted by many prospective patients…help with deciphering what all they read means and how does it apply to themselves and their individual needs. While an actual visit to a plastic surgeon and a face-face consultation would answer those questions, an easier, less costly, and more time-efficient method is wanted by many.

To answer this need, numerous plastic surgeons across the country are offering at-home live video consultations. Through the internet service, Skype, such webcam video interactions are not only easy to do but free. For the first time in medical history, it is now possible to have an online video discussion with a plastic surgeon from anywhere in the world…provided you have a webcam on your computer or laptop. (and some can even do it from their iphone) While this video conversation method is not a replacement for having an actual consultation in the doctor’s office, it provides a unique opportunity to ask questions directly to a plastic surgeon without leaving the comnfort of your own house!

To take advantage of this option, first find a plastic surgeon who offers the Skype consultation service and performs the type of cosmetic procedures which are of interest to you. Then go to the Skype website, download the application and register under your name. This process is free and takes less than five minutes to do. You will need to add the plastic surgeon to your contact list. That requires knowing how their name is registered and that should be available on their website. In my case, it is dr.barry.eppley. Add the name to your contact list and then send a message requesting a video conversation.Tell briefly in the message what your subject area or  concerns are. A response will then be forthcoming about arranging a convenient time for both parties.

It is important to understand the dynamics of such a video interaction. I have carefully avoided using the term consultation for this type of video interaction. A medical consultation is, and implies, that a history, description of the problem, and an actual physical examination takes place. That is what goes on in a live consultation and from that a medical treatment plan or recommendations are provided. That is not what goes on in this type of internet interaction. Obviously a physical examination can not take place nor is it appropriate to try and perform one across a computer screen. This is an informational conversation that provides some general information about the procedures of interest…much like having a conversation at a dinner party. It can help the individual dissect past the hype and volume of sometimes discrepant information to separate the realities vs. myths of many cosmetic procedures. Once can find out more in five or ten minutes talking to an expert than they can glean from reading hours of online material.

The proliferation of the internet has spurned the need for people to reach out and talk to an expert to decipher this online informational maze. And people understandably desire it at the push of a finger. Plastic surgeons are beginning to fill this need…most commonly use the free Skype internet service to do so. I have no doubt this practice will become more commonplace and will eventually find a new point of access in the ambulatory computer…the smartphone.

Dr. Barry Eppley

http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

http://www.ologyspa.com

Clarian North Medical Center, Carmel, Indiana

Clarian West Medical Center, Avon, Indiana

Indianapolis

In order to better educate and serve many patients in the United States as well as outside of the country, Dr. Barry Eppley and Eppley Plastic Surgery has instituted the use of Skype to do phone and webcam consultations. While e-mail can be an effective source for answering some basic questions, an actual verbal and visual consultation is much more personal and informative.

Skype is a free online webcam phone service. Whether you are in the USA, Europe, Asia or anywhere in the world, you can use it to schedule a virtual, web cam consultation. If you are not familiar with Skype, it is software that enables conversations to be had around the world using a computer or iPhone. Millions of individuals and businesses use Skype to make free video and voice calls, send instant messages and share files with other Skype users. Besides how easy it is to use, it is also free if you are talking to another Skype user. Talk as long as you want for free!

Dr. Eppley is available to do free phone consultations when it can be arranged between your and his schedule. If you would like a free phone consultation, please e-mail info@eppleyplasticsurgery.com with the date and time that you desire. We will reply with a confirmation e-mail within 24 hours which will include an attached personal and medical history form for you to fill out and e-mail back. Remember that we are on Eastern Standard time in the United States and you must be a Skype member. Signing up for Skype is free and easy. Just go to www.skype.com to sign up. Dr. Eppley’s Skype contact name is dr.barry.eppley.

This online webcam consultation is a service provided by Dr. Barry Eppley, a plastic surgeon in Indianapolis Indiana USA.. The participants in an online consultation should understand that the information provided by Dr. Eppley is general information only and is not a substitute for an actual “in-person” consultation which is absolutely necessary prior to any surgery. Participants in this consultation agree not to hold any parties liable for the opinions provided. The consultation is not recorded or stored and is not therefore available for future reference.

Barry L. Eppley, M.D., D.M.D.

http://www.eppleyplasticsurgery.com

http://www.ologyspa.com

Clarian North Medical Center, Carmel, Indiana

Clarian West Medical Center, Avon, Indiana

Indianapolis