Home
   Product Center
   Complimentary
      Consultation
   Meet The Staff
   Location
   Procedures
   Information
   E-mail Us

Click here to sign up for our monthly newsletter.

We will not re-sell or give out your email address!
(Click here
to unsubscribe
at any time)

DONALD J. CAPUANO, M.D.
Plastic Surgeon

Board Certified in Plastic Surgery _

---

Facial Imaging   Computer imaging is the capturing of an image on the computer screen by an input device such as a video camera or a digital camera. The image is then changed by a software program. The individual imaged, can then see the before, and forms of the proposed results. Dr. Capuano introduced computers for imaging of the face in the Rochester area during 1987. and for many years he was the only surgeon to do so. While he realized that there were advantages to facial imaging by showing current and proposed results, there were also significant downsides and he came to realize, over time, that imaging has a greater potential for harm than for good. After hundreds and hundreds of cases where imaging was done, Dr. Capuano decided not to image individuals seeking cosmetic surgery. It seems that individuals, having once seen an image, have an image fixed in their minds. If the surgeon should deviate from this image, be it an actual image they saw or an image that their brains think they saw, ( and this is not an uncommon happening), there may be physician patient problems. In spite of the fact that disclaimers of 'no guarantee' are put on the screen, in spite of repeatedly saying that this is only for demonstration purposes only, patients post operatively seemed to forget that. Even though the differences may be minor, the meticulous individual's reaction may be significant. In testimony before a court of law in a nose malpractice allegation, a well known nose surgeon from Pennsylvania who appeared on national TV and who calls himself "Dr. Nose", insisted that the imaged patient must be given a hard copy of the final agreed upon image. This doctor does not image. Such an opinion from such a self proclaimed expert is quite a serious challenge to the surgeon who images. When Dr. Capuano saw the videotape of this doctor testifying before a jury and proclaiming that the patient should be given a hard copy of the image, Dr. Capuano ceased to image patients. Dr. Capuano still has the hardware and even better software to image patients. He no longer images individuals for the sake of demonstration. He may use imaging to plan his operative approach. Not imaging someone by computer does not mean that they can not yet an idea of what they might look like. The use of fingers can help describe what a facelift might be like. The use of a finger or by merely drawing a line can help an individual see a new image of their nose. Imaging for body contour has never been popular. This is an area in which imaging could never predict a final results. You might also realize that imaging is a very static display. A human rarely is still while another stares. So your image is truly constantly changing especially with animation of laughing, frowning, etc. One of the most frequent reasons an individual asks for imaging is that they saw themselves in a photo and hated the view. Bring that photo in with you and we can discuss it. I am sure you know that when models model for covers or do a 'shoot ' for magazines, etc, it is not uncommon to shoot take hundreds of photos to get a few good 'shots'!! And these are 'beautiful' women !!! Some doctors use imaging to point out other 'problems' when the patient is seen in consultation. Invariably one can find something 'wrong' not only with a nose but also with the neck, the chin, eyelids, etc. If you went in for a 'nose job' you might be thinking nose chin face neck. I personally do not point out problems unless the patient asks about a problem(s) or I think it fairly significant . Then I feel justified to discuss such things. If you have an opinion or comment about this page we certainly would like to hear from you. Thank you Dr C.

©2001 to Present CapuanoUSA | Email questions to info@DoctorCapuano.com