Before and after cosmetic surgery 3D simulator: How does it work?

Reviewed by Dr Daniel Fleming, Medical Director at MINKST – 25+ years of cosmetic surgery experience.
Updated August 2026

Looking at undergoing cosmetic surgery? MINKST’s 3D simulator is a powerful tool that gives you and your surgeon a new way to plan and visualise your breast augmentation, breast lift, or other cosmetic procedure before making any decisions. Let’s look at exactly how it works and what you can expect at your consultation.

How does the 3D simulator work?

The 3D simulation process takes place once you book your MINKST consultation, created before and discussed during your MINKST consultation. The team at MINKST uses specialist imaging software to create a 3D model based on your individual measurements and body shape. From there, you can explore different options – adjusting implant size, shape and profile, or visualising a lift result – and see what those changes might look like on your body from multiple angles.

Providing desired before and after photos is still important for understanding your expectations, but the 3D simulation goes further, showing you what your potential results might look like from every angle, not just a single flat photograph. It’s like trying on different sizes and shapes in the consultation room.

Explore your options with your doctor

With the 3D simulator, you and your doctor can review different options together and get a feel for your potential results. Want a subtle breast lift or a more augmented look with larger breast implants? The simulator makes it easy to compare options side by side. Having this visual aid also helps you and your doctor get on the same page before making any decisions.

Setting realistic expectations

At the end of the day, it’s all about making sure you have realistic expectations of what you can potentially achieve. 3D simulation helps with this – you’ll feel more confident knowing what to expect before your cosmetic surgery. It’s also a useful reference point to return to after your procedure as your results settle.

Important: the 3D simulation is a visual guide, not a guarantee. The representations are of a general nature and individual anatomy and healing may mean your actual results differ from the simulated images. Your surgeon will discuss this with you.

See How it Works

Watch the walkthrough below to see the 3D simulator in action.

If you’re thinking about cosmetic surgery, the 3D simulator is available for every MINKST breast surgery patient, at no extra cost. It’s a great starting point on your decision-making journey.

Please note: the representations generated are of a general nature and may not precisely replicate individual anatomical characteristics or surgical outcomes. Actual results may differ from simulated images. You should consult with your surgeon to decide on a surgical plan most suited to you. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified practitioner.