Body Contouring: The Importance of Online Patient Reviews

Plastic surgery centers offering a full body makeover in NYC post before and after images of their patients on their websites so that people can see the transformation that procedures can create. However, these photos reveal nothing about the person’s actual experience with plastic surgery. That’s why most people considering an aesthetic procedure turn to social media and online forums to read real patient stories.

Studies Highlight Significance of Patient Reviews in Plastic Surgery

According to the American Society of Dermatologic Surgery, body contouring procedures are among the top four treatments patients request. Men and women can choose from a variety of minimally-invasive and noninvasive procedures to improve their appearance. Patients rate their cosmetic surgical experiences on platforms such as RealSelf.com, which is one of the most trusted sources for people considering an elective cosmetic treatment.

Facelifts are among the most common facial aesthetic procedures, with patient satisfaction being a key measure of success. However, assessing satisfaction has historically been challenging.

A study published in August 2024 by SpringerLink analyzed 2,153 facelift reviews, categorizing them as positive or negative. Of these, 92.24% (1,986) were positive, with major satisfaction attributed to aesthetic results (79.10%) and bedside manner (74.92%). Conversely, negative reviews were mainly due to dissatisfaction with aesthetic outcomes (82.04%) and poor bedside manner (49.10%). Most procedures were performed by plastic surgeons (83.42%), but oral and maxillofacial surgeons had the highest 5-star ratings (93.55%). Among those giving a “worth it” rating, 91.91% felt their facelift was worth it. Overall, patient sentiment is largely positive, with social media platforms like RealSelf.com providing valuable insights into satisfaction in aesthetic surgery.

An earlier study published in Dermatologic Surgery and reported by ModernMedicine Network highlighted the value of online patient reviews on social media for dermatologists promoting minimally-invasive fat reduction procedures. The authors suggest that aesthetic providers should leverage this feedback to inform their technique selection and pricing.

The study analyzed 11,871 patient reviews on RealSelf from 2017, categorizing satisfaction into “Worth it” (positive), “Not worth it” (negative), and “Not sure” (neutral). To ensure more accurate comparisons, the team classified reviews of 13 unique minimally-invasive procedures into five body contouring modality categories:

• Laser
• Radiofrequency
• Ultrasound
• Cryolipolysis
• Injectables

The reviews of these popular body contouring modalities were also compared to patient responses on traditional liposuction or invasive body contouring. The researchers also assessed and compared patient reviews of tumescent liposuction, a fat reduction technique that can address larger volume patient cases than minimally-invasive options. They reviewed 7,170 patient reviews that included all five minimally-invasive procedure categories.

Key findings include:

• Overall satisfaction for minimally-invasive procedures was 58%.
• Traditional liposuction had a higher satisfaction rating of 66% from 4,645 reviews, while tumescent liposuction received 63%.
• Despite lower ratings than traditional techniques, minimally-invasive procedures had an 81% median satisfaction rating.
• Laser procedures scored 61%, CoolSculpting received 55%, and injectable treatments (including Kybella) had a 49% satisfaction score.
• Ultrasound liposuction achieved a satisfaction rating of 73%, while radio frequency techniques scored 63%.

The authors recommend that aesthetic providers use patient reviews to:

• Inform clinical cost discussions, as these procedures are often out-of-pocket expenses.
• Understand patient perspectives on the pros and cons of procedures to aid decision-making.
• Correct any misinformation patients may encounter online.

They caution that not all online resources accurately reflect patient satisfaction or procedure efficacy. A separate study highlighted misleading YouTube videos on facial plastic surgery, with only a fraction featuring board-certified physicians.

To sum up in the words of the author of the paper published in Dermatologic Surgery, “Aesthetic providers should familiarize themselves with online reviews, such as those on RealSelf.com, so they will be better prepared to help patients make the right decisions that fall best in line with the patient’s medical history. This is because social media is one of the easiest ways for people to get reviews of other people’s experiences and clinicians should want to see what information is out there and what their patients are gleaning from it.”

Patient reviews play a crucial role in helping prospective patients make informed decisions when considering plastic surgery procedures, such as a full body makeover in NYC. Reviews provide valuable insights into the experiences of others, highlighting the quality of care and satisfaction with aesthetic outcomes. While these reviews provide valuable insights, it’s crucial to conduct thorough research on the procedure you’re considering. Be sure to prepare important questions for your consultation with the plastic surgeon to ensure you have all the information you need.