3D Simulation in Plastic Surgery: preview your final result

3D simulation in plastic surgery: have you ever heard of it? In the initial phase before the procedure, it is a powerful ally, as it helps greatly during the assessment and decision-making process, leaving patients feeling more confident and secure in their decisions.

As much as we want to change the appearance of our body or face through plastic surgery, it's important to be aware and certain of our decisions. This is a transformation, however small.

3D simulation tools, therefore, play a key role in decision-making, as they allow us to simulate the "before" and "after" of the intervention in real-time, showing the results that can be achieved and managing patients' expectations more realistically.

What does 3D simulation consist of?

Anyone who wants to undergo plastic surgery has a preconceived idea of how they would like to look after the operation, but it's not always possible to achieve the desired result with surgery, as each body is different. That's why there's nothing better than previewing the result before surgery.

The arrival of 3D simulation has meant a major evolution in aesthetic and reconstructive surgery. Instead of patients having to imagine what their face or body would look like after the cosmetic surgery they've wanted for so long, 3D simulation has made it possible to preview the result, making it possible to compare the "before and after" of the surgery.

This is a specific simulation for each case, which considers the patient's physical characteristics and their goals with the surgery, giving a more accurate and approximate idea of the result.

It is important, however, to realise that the real result may not correspond exactly to the simulation. This will always depend on various factors, including the patient's genetic characteristics and the way each organism reacts to surgery.

Main Benefits

The benefits of using 3D simulation software in the field of plastic surgery are numerous.

As already mentioned, these devices make it possible to simulate the "before" and "after" of surgery in real-time, allowing patients to get an idea of the results they can achieve, thus managing their expectations more realistically.

They also help as a communication tool between the plastic surgeon and the patient, because by analysing the images the doctor can explain what is possible/indicated and what is not possible or advisable.

Simulating the outcome of surgery can also be a great help for those who want to have plastic surgery but haven't yet decided because they are unsure of what it will look like. This increases the patient's confidence in deciding, as they can be sure that this is what they want to do.

All this leads to a higher satisfaction rate with the results. All the information and images captured by the simulator are protected and confidential.

The VECTRA XT 3D

Since 2014, LMR has had the Vectra XT 3D, one of the most revolutionary and advanced 3D simulators for aesthetic and reconstructive plastic surgery and is one of the only clinics in Europe to use this equipment.

It aims to simulate the patient's body and the outcome of the plastic surgery in three dimensions.

How does it work?

The Vectra XT 3D makes a very precise, objective, and meticulous assessment of the patient's body, capturing images of the area to be operated on using a set of cameras placed at different angles.

The photographs captured are automatically read and processed by software that immediately creates a 3D image of the person's body.

Using another piece of software integrated into the device, it is also possible to simulate the results of various plastic surgeries.

The Vectra XT 3D makes it possible to preview and analyse the result from all angles, showing various perspectives, such as seen from the front, the side or from above, in a bikini or with a T-shirt.

However, the surgeon must make it clear that the simulated images do not represent a promise of results.

3D simulation can be used for:

Breast augmentation;
Breast reduction;
Mastopexy with or without implants;
Liposuction;
Abdominoplasty;
Rhinoplasty;
Facelift;
Gynaecomastia.

3D Simulation in Plastic Surgeries

BREAST AUGMENTATION

In the case of breast augmentation surgery, the simulation of the result is carried out with different sizes and shapes of implants.
For example, the patient's initial photograph can be shown with two simulation images: one with 230 CC implants and the other with 355 CC implants.

Different simulation images with drop implants and round implants can also be shown at the same time.
In this way, patients can see their breasts enlarged and analyse the various possibilities, choosing the one they feel most comfortable with, and which best meets their goals.

In this case, the simulator makes a very detailed analysis of the person's breast, takes all the measurements, and highlights the asymmetries, as well as the position and size of the nipples, showing these aspects in a very realistic way.

MASTOPEXY WITH IMPLANTS

Like the 3D simulation in breast augmentation, in the case of patients with sagging breasts, it is possible to simulate what a breast lift would look like, with or without the use of breast implants, depending on the patient's wishes.

BODY CONTOURING

In the case of body contouring surgeries, it is possible to simulate the result of what the patient's belly or another area of the body would look like after the removal of localised fat or excess skin.

RHINOPLASTY

Rhinoplasty is a procedure that requires enormous precision, as the nose is one of the most complex structures in the human body and its appearance makes all the difference to the face.

Rhinoplasty can aim to reduce or increase the size of the nose, correct deviations of the septum, and improve or refine the tip, among other aesthetic purposes.

Using 3D simulation tools, a virtual model of the patient's nose is created, in which changes in size, shape or position, chosen together with the plastic surgeon, are simulated, making it easier to understand what will be most suitable for each face.
All the changes can be analysed from different angles, namely from the front and profile.

FACE

With 3D simulation, it is possible to create a virtual model of the face and eliminate signs of ageing, such as sagging, wrinkles or blemishes, and preview how the patient would look without them.

If you are still in doubt as to whether you should have plastic surgery and would like to preview the results you could achieve, book your assessment appointment now to have your 3D simulation carried out.

Ask for more information

Important note:

In case this article presents before and after photos please consider them merely demonstrative and may not serve as a reference for your particular case. These images are only to show possible results for one or several surgical procedures. The images we use are of patients who have consented to their use. Any images do not represent a guarantee of results.

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3D Simulation in Plastic Surgery: preview your final result

Sobre a Médica Especialista
Dr. Alice Varanda Pereira / Plastic Surgery

Member of The Portuguese Medical Association, Nr. 47051

Graduated by the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon, she completed her master’s degree in human sexuality and is currently developing her PhD at this same institution.

She joined the University faculty academic staff in 2008 as a lecturer of the Institute of Anatomy. It is in this unit that she produces most of her research projects, mainly in the area of surgical anatomy, whilst also supervising master’s thesis for undergraduate students.