Question for the doctors regarding revision

[DS]

Is the general consensus among surgeons, that if a patient is not overly pleased/impressed with their initial surgery results that revision surgery would be performed free of charge?

Thanks

[Litlriki]

You should be sure to inquire about the revision policy of your surgeon before undergoing surgery as these policies vary.  Presuming that the revision can be accomplished in my office under local anesthesia (which I have done in nearly every case), the patient is responsible for a nominal fee to cover the cost of supplies and staffing, but this is a small fee.  There is no surgeon's fee or other hospital or anesthetic fees.

Rick Silverman

[DrPensler]

I would agree that this is something that should be discussed prior to surgery and from a personal standpoint the charges are either small or nonexistent.I would also add that for me to perform a revision 1)I must be able to see or palpate what the issue is and 2) I must be able to improve the problem. I also realize  what I just wrote seems like common sense.

[DS]

Thank you Dr. Silverman and Dr. Pensler.

Would it be safe to assume then, that any reputable surgeon would perform revision for either a very small fee or free of charge? Thanks again

[Litlriki]

A policy with reasonable cost for revision should be in place, but you can never make an assumption.

RS

[George Pope, M.D.]

I agree that this is a question that should always be asked in advance.  Most surgeons will charge only a nominal fee for cost of supplies.  I will not charge a surgeon's fee for minor revision for one year following the initial procedure.  After a year, I'll make the decision based on the case.  For example, some liposuction patients may have put on some weight after a year's time; in that case, I'll charge a surgeon's fee for additional lipo.

Dr. Pope, MD

[Dr. Elliot Jacobs]

A question about your surgeon's policy about revisions should always be discussed prior to surgery.  Most surgeons will be willing to have this discussion.

My general policy is not to charge for revisions of my own work (up to one year after surgery).  There may be charges for the anesthesia and operating room.  Fortunately, my need to revise my own work is extremely low.  It goes to my philosophy of taking the time, during the initial surgery, to make the results as good as possible.  Of course, neither the surgeon nor the patient can control the healing process.  Sometimes there is the development of excess scar tissue (mostly under the areola).  In these circumstances, I will provide kenalog injections to my own patients at no charge for up to one year.

There is the alternate problem which may not be as evident.  Sometimes patients have unrealistic expectations and may expect a 100% perfect result after their operation. Anything less than perfect then requires "a revision."  Therefore, I always state that I will not withhold a revision if indeed I feel it is necessary; but I will not perform a revision merely at a patient's demand when I feel the results are quite satisfactory and there would be no significant improvement in the results.

Obviously, patients may have different views.  I had one of my patients call for a revision -- seven years after his original surgery!  Obviously, my policy would not cover him.

Dr Jacobs

[DS]

Thank you all for your input. This is very helpful

[Miguel Delgado MD]

This is a great question.  Each doctor has his own policy. Doctors want happy patients  and we tend to do anything that is reasonably.  I personally will revise for the first 12 month  with no surgeons fee, but if own needs to go under anesthesia there would be a charge.  Most revision, in m y experince can be done under local anesthesia and i do this for free.  The problem is when a patient is unhappy and has unrealistic expectations about their outcome.  This requires good communication between doctor and patient and a common ground determined.  Before you have your surgery make sure you discuss these issues.