
Plastic surgery is increasingly becoming popular in the U.S., with 26.2 million surgical and minimally invasive surgeries in 2022. Non-surgical plastics, such as injectables and other skin procedures, surged by 23% over the last year and constitute more than three-fourths of all cosmetic surgery. This accelerated growth is reshaping the practice requirements and highlighting the necessity for software that can handle high-volume image-intensive operations.
However, generic EMRs do not work well to fulfill the needs of the plastics practices. Standard systems do not have good photo management, consent tracking, and programmable templates such as rhinoplasty or liposuction. Not having appropriate systems may result in inefficiencies and even risks of non-compliance.
EMR software specific to plastic surgery is a solution to these challenges. The integration of imaging tools, procedure-specific documentation, patient engagement capabilities, and billing facilitate practices to provide more efficient and customized care.
Plastic surgery EMR software is a specialized solution designed to meet the clinical, administrative, and financial needs of plastic and reconstructive surgery practices. The platform integrates various features, such as HIPAA-compliant storage, inventory management, marketing and lead engagement tools, customizable templates, and before-and-after photo management into a centralized dashboard.
This specialty-specific software goes beyond basic record-keeping to simplify billing, manage inventory, and enhance patient communications. Plastic surgeons can use it to optimize daily operations, increase revenue opportunities, and deliver a more seamless, patient-focused experience.

Plastic surgery EMR software come with numerous features tailored to the needs of plastic surgery and aesthetic practices. Here are some of the top features clinicians cite as most useful in these systems:
Image Management
This feature allows surgeons to upload, store, and compare before-and-after photos of patients. It helps in documenting patient progress, planning treatments, and providing visual evidence of results. Additionally, the plastic surgery electronic health record (EHR) platform enhances patient consultations by enabling detailed visual discussions about expected outcomes.
Appointment Scheduling
The best EMRs for plastic and reconstructive surgery also simplify the process of booking, rescheduling, and managing patient appointments. These tools minimize scheduling conflicts, reduce no-show rates, and optimize clinic workflow. They also allow patients to book appointments online, improving accessibility and convenience.
Custom Templates
Plastic surgery EHR templates include pre-built forms tailored to common procedures such as rhinoplasty, liposuction, and breast augmentation. These templates standardize clinical documentation, ensuring detailed and consistent record-keeping. They also save surgeons time by providing structured templates that cover essential clinical details, allowing for quick and accurate data entry.
Plastic Surgery CPT And ICD Coding
Accurate coding is essential for billing and insurance purposes. Plastic surgery EMRs include CPT and ICD coding tailored specifically to plastic surgery procedures. This functionality ensures precise documentation and coding of procedures, reducing billing errors and facilitating quicker reimbursements.
Document Management
Plastic surgery practices handle a wide range of sensitive documents. A 2024 report on surgical documentation errors found that failing to document clinical rationale made malpractice claims 3.6 times more likely to close with payment. An EMR with strong document management tools keeps everything organized, secure, and easy to access. This not only reduces compliance risks but also improves efficiency across the practice.
Inventory Management
Plastic surgery software with an integrated inventory management module helps practices track and manage injectables, cosmetics, and supplies like PPE. Clinics can monitor usage, sales, and automatically reorder stock to prevent shortages. Patient-specific inventory logs also enable staff to review past treatments and recommended products during consultations.
EMR | Best For | Key Features | Mobile App |
PatientNow | Practices wanting a unified aesthetic EMR solution | Lab and prescription integration, calendar and scheduling, patient engagement tools | iOS And Android |
Nextech | Plastic surgery practices needing a complete EHR-PM solution | Billing and marketing, photo and quoting tools, patient app and portal | iOS |
ModMed | Plastic surgeons seeking a mobile-based EHR | Billing and marketing, photo and quoting tools, patient app and portal | iOS And Android |
Symplast | Aesthetic practices wanting modern cloud-based solutions with marketing automation | Billing and marketing, photo and quoting tools, patient app and portal | iOS And Android |
CosmetiSuite | Cosmetic, plastic, wellness, dermatology, aesthetic practices seeking a specialty-specific EHR | Billing and marketing, photo and quoting tools, patient app and portal | iOS And Android |
How We Curated Our Pros And Cons List
The following pros and cons were formulated based on a multi-layered review methodology, focused on identifying what is most important to plastic surgery EMR users. Instead of applying a single framework, we utilized a combination of methods to ensure balance and credibility.
- Collecting Feedback: We derived insights from customer reviews on trusted platforms and feedback specific to aesthetics, plastic surgery, and med spa practices to ensure relevance
- Thematic Analysis: We analyzed the feedback thematically to identify recurring strengths and weaknesses (e.g., ease of use, customization, customer service)
- Sentiment Weighting: We weighted each theme by the frequency of user feedback to highlight the most common ones
- Results: Finally, we compiled the results into a clear and digestible list of pros and cons to help providers make a purchase decision
PatientNow – Pros And Cons
Pros:
- Around 48% of users found the software easy to learn, with smooth navigation and intuitive workflows. They stated:
‘Most of the modules are very user friendly and easy to navigate through.’
- ‘It's simple and easy to navigate.’
30% of users stated that customer support was patient, knowledgeable, and quick to assist:
‘Their support group is always helpful and efficient when I have to call them.’
‘The representative I spoke with was not only patient and understanding, but also very knowledgeable.’
Cons:
- Approximately 35% of customers faced technical and billing issues; one mentioned:
‘We cancelled, only to still be charged for months for a product we’d cancelled.’
Nextech – Pros And Cons
Pros:
- 35% of reviewers found the software straightforward for everyday tasks like moving patients or pulling up charts. They said:
“I like how easy it is to move patients around and how, if multiple people are moving the same patient at once, the system doesn’t get confused.’
‘Nextech is easy to navigate and register patients and pull up charts quickly.’
- A quarter of the users praised customization and charting efficiency. Such as:
‘How customizable it is. Our clinic has 2 specialties (derm and plastics) so being able to customize the EHR for each is amazing.’
Cons:
Users reported access or navigation issues, including too many clicks or difficulty retrieving records. They said:
‘Difficult for patients to access their records.’
‘Some things take too many clicks and it's different to find things.’
ModMed – Pros And Cons
Pros:
- About half of the reviewers emphasized that ModMed is easy to navigate and user-friendly. For instance:
‘It is easy to use compared to previous EMR I have used in the past.’
‘Very user friendly with accessible customer support.’
- Around 20-30% noted efficiency improvements (smooth patient charting, fast workflows). Users stated:
‘Easy to navigate through patients chart, like importing from pharmacy for medications.’
Cons:
- One in five users pointed out a few missing features and limited language support. They quote:
‘There are not many downsides to Mod Med. One thing we do wish it had would be Spanish language due to our patient population.’
Symplast – Pros And Cons
Pros:
- About half of the users praise Symplast for its ease of use and modern UI:
“It is very easy to operate and track patient medical history and medications details smoothly.’
- 30% highlight excellent mobile access, and good patient engagement and virtual care capabilities:
‘The app is great for patient communication and makes virtual appointments simple, it was a great tool during the pandemic!’
Con:
- Two out of five reviewers report missing features, occasional crashes, or issues with support response times:
‘This product is so young that it has continual problems with crashing, overload, features missing, trouble getting timely help with issues.’
‘Charting was very basic and not worth having…they will NOT contact us back to give us our medical charts digitally.’
CosmetiSuite – Pros And Cons
Pros:
- More than half of the users state that the vendor is easy to work with, friendly, and supportive:
‘Very Friendly company and easy to work with. They employees are super easy to work with and don’t stress you out…’
- Many (around 50%) like that the system is simple yet functional for cosmetic practice workflows:
‘It’s a very simple and basic practice management system and EHR for cosmetic patient’s.’
Con:
- Roughly 30-40% mention lag in issue resolution and needing escalations:
‘Some issues have to be escalated frequently, and from there it can take a lot of time for resolve.’

Here’s a list of the benefits plastic surgery practices can expect when using an EMR designed specifically for their specialty and workflows:
- Enhanced Communication: Enables seamless coordination among staff and improves communication with patients through automated reminders and updates. Plastic surgery EMRs also centralize calendars and resources, so that surgical teams are well-updated. This minimizes scheduling mistakes and enhances the movement of patients
- Improved Patient Care: Helps deliver personalized care by providing instant access to patient records, treatment histories, and detailed progress tracking. Surgeons can annotate before and after photos, monitor visual results, and apply them as a reference in the treatment planning process with built-in imaging devices. The outcome is increased patient knowledge and satisfaction
- Regulatory Compliance And Security Protocols: Ensures compliance with healthcare regulations and safeguards patient data with advanced security measures. Most platforms contain internal drug interaction alerts and e-prescribing protection, along with audit tracks. This reduces the risk of medical errors and promotes safe surgical practices
- Patient Portal Integration: Provides patients with a convenient platform to access their medical information, schedule appointments, and communicate with their care team. The procedure quotes, financing, and instructions to follow-up are also provided in some portals, which enhances patient engagement and streamlines revenue management
- Advanced Analytics: Leverages data insights to optimize practice performance, identify trends, and support strategic business decisions. Plastic surgery EMRs reporting dashboards can be used to monitor case acceptance rates, inventory usage, and revenue per procedure. This allows practices to make key business decisions and maximize ROI
- Prescription Safety And Risk Management: Assists in safe prescribing, verifying possible interactions with drugs, and providing full histories of the patient. Combined protection minimizes the chances of getting complications, ensures proper dosing and adherence to prescribing laws. This enhances clinical accountability and patient safety

Here are key factors to ensure the EMR software aligns with the unique clinical, legal, and operational needs of a plastic surgery practice:
- Specialty-Specific Features: Look for software with built-in tools for cosmetic and reconstructive procedures, including adaptive templates for common surgeries and reconstructive cases to streamline documentation and improve workflow efficiency
- Adaptive Learning And Pre-Loaded Content: Consider platforms that learn a surgeon’s preferences, such as common techniques, suture types, or implant selections, and auto-populate notes. This reduces template fatigue, speeds up charting, and cuts down on burnout
- Support For Dual Workflows: Look for EMRs that can differentiate between elective cosmetic procedures and medically necessary reconstructive cases. Systems with dedicated templates and billing pathways for each workflow help streamline documentation and improve accuracy
- Integrated Imaging And Photo Management: Choose a system that offers secure storage for high-resolution, time-stamped before-and-after photos with built-in annotation tools. This supports treatment planning, informed consent, and protects the practice with precise documentation
- Vendor Stability And Long-Term Support: Select a vendor with proven experience in plastic surgery, regular software updates, and a commitment to evolving with new regulations and technologies. Stability ensures your system grows with your practice
- Total Cost Of Ownership (TCO): Go beyond monthly fees when evaluating costs. Consider implementation, data migration, staff training, and long-term support, since hidden charges can significantly affect ROI
The cost of a plastic surgery EMR varies as per the clinical preferences, size, and requirements. Most plastic surgery platforms offer custom pricing plans that can be tailored to meet the growing needs of your healthcare practice.
For plastic surgery and aesthetic practices, cost is a major determinant when selecting an EMR or EHR system. Prices usually vary based on vendor, deployment, and features offered. There are a few associated costs that practices should consider before making a decision.
Setup And Implementation Costs
Most vendors charge an upfront fee for implementation. These costs may involve employee training, workflow setup, and data transfer. Additionally, setting up templates, photo documentation features, and integration with other platforms might entail supplementary charges.
Recurring Subscription Fees
Plastic surgery EMRs are usually available under a subscription model. Prices are typically calculated, with the possibility of scaling and modules selected. Applications that offer a combination of billing systems, inventory controls, patient communication, and marketing capabilities typically have a higher subscription fee.
Additional And Hidden Charges
In addition to the usual licensing fee, practices should be conscious of concealed costs. These can include added features like increased capacity to store photos, user-made reporting, advanced analytics, or third-party integrations like imaging and laboratory systems. Multi-location practices may also incur additional licensing requirements.
Evaluating Return On Investment
Although the initial cost might seem steep, a plastic surgery EMR can yield numerous long-term benefits. Precision in coding and effective billing augment the capture of revenue, and automated scheduling reduces missed appointments and staff workload, contributing to increased revenue. Clinical features such as photo comparisons and digital consent can lead to better patient outcomes and engagement.
To sum up, a plastic surgery EMR might be costly upfront, but it can lead to long-term financial gains through better clinical output, improved patient retention, and a more streamlined practice.
Plastic Surgery EMR: Market Trends And Expert Insights
The plastic surgery EMR market is growing alongside the steady rise in elective cosmetic procedures. According to a recent report, cosmetic surgeries grew by 2.9% between 2022 and 2023, and a total of 10.2% since 2019. The most in-demand surgery is liposuction, with more than 347,000 procedures in 2023, representing nearly 7% year-over-year growth.
This trend is reinforced by global demand for cosmetic care. In 2023, 34.9 million aesthetic procedures in the world were recorded by the ISAPS Global Survey, including 19.1 million non-surgical and 15.8 million surgical. This mix underscores the need for EMRs that can handle surgical workflows and high-volume med-spa procedures.
Virtual care adoption is another key driver. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, telehealth, which became common during the pandemic, has become a permanent part of most practices, allowing remote consultations and follow-ups. Its effectiveness has been established in clinical studies on breast reconstruction, where telemedicine was shown to enhance access to care.
These trends highlight demand for plastic surgery EMRs with integrated telehealth, mobile access, and scalable capabilities for both surgical and non-surgical practices.
What Real Users Say About Plastic Surgery EMR?
For many practices, not being able to integrate EMRs with photo-heavy workflows and elective procedures documentation is a persistent pain point. At the same time, providers identify telehealth, imaging, and patient engagement features as transformative. These capabilities help practitioners streamline consultations, reduce no-shows, and improve surgical planning, making specialized EMRs all the more important in contemporary plastic surgery.