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
Indianapolis, Indiana