The Unhappy Patient
Despite the best efforts of both patients and plastic surgeons, a small percentage of surgeries will not have the best outcomes. As the healing processes of the body are not always predictable, a plastic surgery result may be potentially affected by many factors including complications (e.g., infection) or undesired results in the size or shape of the surgically treated area. As a result, revisional surgery may be needed to obtain the desired result.
The need for revisional surgery for elective plastic surgery is estimated to be about 15%, which may be higher or lower depending upon the particular procedure being performed. So you can see that its occurrence is not rare. It is important for all patients considering plastic surgery to understand that undesired postoperative results can and do occur, and the potential need for revision exists with every surgical procedure.
Let me reiterate these points again:
· surgical outcomes can not be guaranteed,
· the need for revisional surgery in elective cosmetic surgery is not rare
· and, when needed, incurs expense to perform.
Should revision of a plastic surgery procedure be necessary, the sticking point that most consistently generates friction is not that more surgery may be needed….but the expenses incurred in so doing. In other words, who is going to pay for it? These issues are particularly relevant to those patients who have limited financial resources and have expended those resources in having the original procedure performed. The potential need for revisional surgery and its costs should be considered during the decision-making process when contemplating any form of elective cosmetic surgery.
However, now that you may need revisional surgery, what do you do? In some cases, the plastic surgeon may be able to some minor revisions in the office under local anesthesia. In this environment, your expense exposure may be minimal to none. However, if it requires going to the operating room and being under general anesthesia, that is usually quite different. While most plastic surgeons will waive any fee for their professional time and efforts, the expense of the operating room and anesthesia is your responsibility. Hopefully, this concept has been explained to you prior to the initial procedure. Even if it is so explained, some patients are not going to be happy if this event becomes necessary or desired. Being angry or upset with your plastic surgeon, while you are entitled to your feelings, is not appropriate.
Undergoing elective plastic surgery is not guarantee of a perfect outcome, it is only a guarantee of the plastic surgeon’s best efforts. This financial issue, in my experience, is one of the top reasons that a patient will have a complaint or negative feelings about a plastic surgical outcome.
Dr. Barry Eppley
Indianapolis, Indiana