Gag orders from surgeons

[AubreyMcClendon]

Do all surgeons prevent patients from posting pictures of transplant results? There's plenty of users on this forum with strong feelings for their result (some good some bad) but very few ever actually post pictures which makes it impossible to validate claims. Any thoughts?

[Wake]

Certainly needs to be looked at, people have a right. It's their head after-all.

[Sean]

Some surgeons have them, some do not. Definitely should ask a docs if they ever had to issue one and what it usually entails. However, there are many issues with them if you are not fully informed of issues that are not disclosed as a result of work performed. Also, if a doc violates HIPPA then it can also nullify them. Many things to consider.

[mattj]

In my experience, surgeons encourage patients to post their photos. Most patients don't really want to 'go public' and even patients who were active posters on forums before their procedure tend to lose interest in this scene after their surgery.

So you'll find that HT docs have a massive archive of patient photos that they are not able to share with the public. Patients have contact with the clinic after their procedure and some efforts might be made to see if the patient is willing to share their result, but, understandably, those efforts are usually not successful.

[AubreyMcClendon]

Thanks Matt - that's encouraging.

PS - After a bit of e-mail dialogue and a phone consult, I'm scheduled for an in-person consult with Dr. Rahal in the near future; I'm looking forward to it.

[mattj]

That's great. Will be interested to hear how it goes.

Reading back over this thread I realised I emphasized that doctors are encouraging of patient's posting their results online, but I didn't properly answer the question. Doctors have no way of stopping you from posting your photos. I can't remember ever hearing of a doctor making any attempt to do so and any attempt would be futile. They don't own the rights to you or any photos you might take of yourself.