When considering aesthetics in plastic surgery, there are many guidelines that can be used to test for goal. For some procedures, there are charts and tables of what measurements are considered “ideal.” But over the years I have found that almost all results are subjective to the patient themself; and a truly successful outcome depends on relative rules more than discreet numbers.
Rule One: The Golden Ratio
This principle of proportions goes back to ancient Greek Mathematics. Based on geometry, the most balanced forms are ones that respect a (roughly) two-thirds, one-third structure. If you look at your favorite professional photograph, you will probably see that the composition is built in that way, and the image fills the frame to about a third or two thirds. The human body and face also hold to that balance, with the lower body being about two thirds the length of the total, and so on. While there are no absolutes in anything, starting with this measure is a good first step to building a beautiful design.
Rule Two: Symmetry
Symmetry is the basis of harmony when it comes to aesthetics. As an expert in breast surgery, I spend a lot of time focusing on making them “even.” While no two natural elements are exactly the same, the closer you can get, the better they will look. It is even sometimes true that having two things match well is more important than having them individually perfect.
Rule Three: Act Natural
For me, the most important element of a successful surgery is that the result looks completely possible. Even if something looks nice, and the shape is pleasing, if it looks like this could never have happened in nature, then it just looks odd. I prefer to avoid this situation, and so do most of my patients. For one, anything that looks strange is likely to be distracting, even if it is pretty. For two, it is the ultimate “tell” that the patient had something done; and most of my patients prefer to go incognito. The built-in irony of all of this is that, as I improve on my craft and my results become more and more stealth, the less likely anyone call tell I was there. What a challenge that can be from a marketing standpoint!
It is always challenging to toe the line between fitting in and standing out. Things that look off or odd usually do not look great. Things that look too normal and mundane also lack luster. But there is a range of shapes that represent high points of normal, and that fit historical aesthetic principles. The only other thing to consider is that beauty is highly subjective, ever-changing, culturally dependent, and often vulnerable to fashion and fad. If all of this seems exhausting and impossible to keep up with, never fear. That’s what your plastic surgeon is for.
