Author Topic: Question for the doctors regarding revision  (Read 3307 times)

Offline DS

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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

Offline Litlriki

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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
Dr. Silverman, M.D.
Cosmetic and Reconstructive Plastic Surgery
29 Crafts Street
Suite 370
Newton, MA 02458
617-965-9500
800-785-7860
www.ricksilverman.com
www.gynecomastia-boston.com
rick@ricksilverman.com

Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery

Offline DrPensler

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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.
Jay M. Pensler,M.D.
680 North Lake Shore Drive
suite 1125
Chicago,Illinois 60611
(312) 642-7777
http://www.gynecomastiachicago.com

Offline DS

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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

Offline Litlriki

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

RS

Offline George Pope, M.D.

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    • Orlando Plastic Surgery Center
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
George H Pope, MD, FACS
Certified - American Board of Plastic Surgery
Orlando Plastic Surgery Center
www.georgepopemd.com
Phone: 407-857-6261

Offline Dr. Elliot Jacobs

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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
Dr. Jacobs 
Certified: American Board of Plastic Surgery
Fellow: American College of Surgeons
Practice sub-specialty in Gynecomastia Surgery
4800 North Federal Highway
Boca Raton, Florida 33431
561  367 9101
Email:  dr.j@elliotjacobsmd.com
Website:  http://www.gynecomastiasurgery.com
Website:  http://www.gynecomastianewyork.c

Offline DS

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Thank you all for your input. This is very helpful

Offline Miguel Delgado MD

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  • Miguel Delgado,MD
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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.
Miguel A Delgado,MD,FACS
American Society of Plastic Surgeons
American Society for Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons
Fellow,American College of Surgeons
450 Sutter, San Francisco, California
info@Dr-Delgado.com
www.Dr-Delgado.com
www.Gynecomastia-Specialist.com


 

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