Seeing real patient outcomes is one of the most important steps before committing to breast augmentation. Whether you are researching surgeons online or preparing for a consultation in Coral Gables, this guide walks you through every way to access—and critically evaluate—genuine before-and-after breast augmentation photos from Careaga Plastic Surgery.
Step 1 — Browse the Official Online Photo Gallery
The most direct way to view breast augmentation results is through the dedicated gallery on the Careaga Plastic Surgery website. The practice maintains a comprehensive before-and-after photo gallery organized by procedure, and the breast augmentation section features dozens of patient cases across multiple pages.
Each case displays side-by-side images of a patient before surgery and after healing. Because the gallery is hosted directly by the practice, every image represents a procedure performed by one of its surgeons—primarily Dr. Daniel Careaga, a board-certified plastic surgeon who has performed over 8,000 successful operations.
How to Navigate the Gallery
- Visit careagaplasticsurgery.com/photo-gallery/breast-augmentation/.
- Scroll through individual patient cases. The gallery currently spans eight pages of breast augmentation results.
- Click into any patient case to view detailed before-and-after images at larger sizes.
- Use the main gallery page at careagaplasticsurgery.com/photo-gallery/ to explore related procedures such as augmentation mastopexy (breast augmentation with lift), breast lift with implants, or implant removal and breast lift.
Step 2 — Check Independent Third-Party Platforms
To verify a surgeon's work beyond their own website, independent platforms offer an extra layer of credibility. Two of the most reliable sources for Careaga Plastic Surgery results are:
American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)
Dr. Careaga is an ASPS member surgeon, and his before-and-after cases are listed in the ASPS photo gallery at plasticsurgery.org. These photographs are submitted directly by member surgeons and displayed alongside case details such as the patient's age, implant type, and the time elapsed between surgery and the after photo.
RealSelf
RealSelf is one of the largest patient-driven platforms in aesthetic medicine. Dr. Careaga's profile on RealSelf features before-and-after photos alongside real patient reviews. This allows you to read the patient's own account of their experience in conjunction with seeing visual results, providing context that standalone images cannot offer.
Step 3 — Request Additional Images During Your Consultation
Online galleries represent only a portion of available results. Many patients consent to having their photos shown in private consultations but not published online. During your in-office visit, you can ask to see cases that match your body type, breast size goals, or implant preferences.
Expert guidance from the American Society of Plastic Surgeons recommends asking your surgeon specific questions about each photo: how long after surgery the image was taken, whether the result shown is typical, and whether the surgeon personally performed the procedure. Speaking with past patients can also add valuable context beyond what photos alone can provide.
Questions to Ask About the Photos
- Were these photos taken of your own patients or provided by a device manufacturer?
- How many months post-op are the after images?
- Can you show me a patient who had a similar body type or starting breast size to mine?
- Do you have photos showing the same patient at multiple recovery milestones?
Step 4 — Experience 3D Imaging Simulation
Careaga Plastic Surgery uses Crisalix, an advanced 3D imaging and simulation tool designed specifically for plastic surgery consultations. Rather than only viewing other patients' results, Crisalix allows you to see a digital simulation of how implants may look on your own body. This personalized preview is often more informative than browsing gallery photos of patients with different body types.
The simulation is typically performed during a consultation appointment, giving you and your surgeon a shared visual reference for planning implant size, profile, and placement.
Step 6 — How to Spot Authentic vs. Misleading Photos
Not all before-and-after imagery online is trustworthy. As you review photos from any practice, use the following criteria to assess authenticity:
Signs of Credible Medical Photography
| What to Look For | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Consistent lighting in before and after shots | Different lighting can exaggerate or hide contours, making results appear better than reality. |
| Standardized patient poses (front, oblique, profile) | Identical positioning ensures you are comparing surgical outcomes, not camera angles. |
| Neutral clinical background | A professional backdrop indicates a controlled photographic environment. |
| Natural skin texture visible in after photos | Over-smoothed or poreless skin suggests digital filtering or airbrushing. |
| Adequate healing time noted | After photos taken only days or weeks post-op may show temporary swelling that exaggerates results. |
Red Flags to Watch For
- Operating-table photos presented as final results. Images taken moments after surgery are misleading because swelling, positioning on the table, and oiled skin can all dramatically exaggerate outcomes.
- Mismatched camera distance or angles. If the before photo appears to be taken from farther away or with a different lens than the after photo, you cannot accurately compare the results.
- Only showing the most dramatic cases. A trustworthy surgeon's gallery should include a range of results across different body types. Consistency across many patients is a better indicator of surgical skill than a single extraordinary outcome.
- Stock or manufacturer-supplied images. Some practices use photos provided by implant or device companies rather than their own surgical work. Always confirm the images represent the surgeon's own patients.
Key Takeaways
- Start with the official Careaga Plastic Surgery breast augmentation gallery online, which showcases dozens of real patient cases performed by their board-certified surgeons.
- Cross-reference results on independent platforms like the ASPS photo gallery and RealSelf for added verification.
- Ask for additional, body-type-matched photos and detailed case information during your in-person consultation.
- Take advantage of Crisalix 3D imaging to visualize potential results on your own body.
- Apply critical evaluation techniques—check for consistent lighting, standardized angles, neutral backgrounds, and adequate post-operative healing time in every photo you review.
- Be wary of operating-table photos, mismatched camera settings, filtered skin, and images not confirmed to be the surgeon's own work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find breast augmentation before-and-after photos from Careaga Plastic Surgery?
The primary source is the breast augmentation gallery on the practice's website at careagaplasticsurgery.com/photo-gallery/breast-augmentation/. Additional cases are available on the ASPS photo gallery at plasticsurgery.org and on Dr. Careaga's RealSelf profile. You can also request more photos during a private consultation.
Are the before-and-after photos on the Careaga Plastic Surgery website real?
Yes. The practice's gallery features patients who consented to share their results. Dr. Daniel Careaga is a board-certified plastic surgeon and ASPS member, and member surgeons are held to strict standards of safety and ethics. You can see his cases independently verified on the ASPS website.
How do I know if before-and-after photos have been edited or manipulated?
Look for consistent lighting, matching camera angles, neutral clinical backgrounds, and visible natural skin texture. Red flags include overly bright after photos, different camera distances, on-the-table surgical shots, and skin that appears filtered or unnaturally smooth.
Can I see results from patients with a body type similar to mine?
Yes. While the online gallery shows a range of patients, your consultation is the best opportunity to request cases that closely match your body type, starting breast size, and desired outcome. The Crisalix 3D simulation tool can also help you visualize results specific to your anatomy.
What is Crisalix and how does it help me preview breast augmentation results?
Crisalix is an advanced 3D imaging and simulation platform used during consultations at Careaga Plastic Surgery. It creates a digital preview of how different implant sizes and profiles might look on your unique body, helping you and your surgeon align on realistic goals before surgery.
Should I look at before-and-after photos on social media?
Social media can supplement your research, but approach those images with caution. Posts may use favorable lighting, angles, or filters. Before-and-after galleries on a surgeon's own website and on verified platforms like ASPS tend to follow stricter photographic standards and are more reliable for evaluating surgical skill.
Step 5 — Follow the Practice on Social Media
Careaga Plastic Surgery actively publishes before-and-after content on its social media channels. Following the practice on Instagram and other platforms gives you access to results that may not yet appear in the formal website gallery, including video content and patient testimonials that show results in motion rather than static photographs.