One of the challenges faced by plastic surgeons is to communicate complex information in language that is easy for the patient to understand. And in this communication, the stakes are high for both the surgeon and the patient. That's why Dr. Marc Salzman is so enthusiastic about his VECTRA 3D system. "It takes away the medical vernacular so that we can both speak the same language" he explains. "With VECTRA I can simulate realistic outcome objectives and get to where they say, 'Yes, that's what I like'. That's when I know we have a common understanding."

The result for Dr. Salzman is a long list of satisfied patients. "I show them only what I know I can safely do, and because of this my outcomes are always very close to the simulations. In all the time I've been using VECTRA 3D, I've never had a patient come back and complain that their results were not what they expected." With VECTRA's extensive simulation capabilities, he is also able to help his patients actually exceed their expectations. "I can show them how laser resurfacing helps improve the overall result of a facelift. It makes the skin look better in addition to being moved to a position that looks more youthful. Almost every facelift now includes laser resurfacing, because all I have to do is show them."

From a practice marketing point of view, this has given Dr. Salzman a tremendous competitive advantage. "This is the next level in aesthetic consultation. Patients understand that and they are looking for it," he explains. "And before they leave my office, I hand them a printed picture that has my name and address and my recommendations. That's the proof, the whole consultation in a nutshell. It says 'here's what I can look like' to the husband, to the friend or to the parent. It's another way of substantiating that this operation would be in the patient's best interest."