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Is It Customary to Pay for the Initial Consultation (Breast Augmentation)?

asked 4 months ago by KateAUS
Latest answer by Ronald J. Edelson, MD
Question viewed 152 times
Tags: consultation, fees

Hi! Everyone says you should check out 3 or 4 plastic surgeons before deciding on someone to perform the surgery on you. But is it customary to pay for an initial consultation? Some of the surgeons charge quite some money for their consultations and since I am only going to chose one to perform surgery on me .. well, it adds up! Thank you in advance for all your anwers!

17 answers to Is It Customary to Pay for the Initial Consultation (Breast Augmentation)?

+1

Cunsultation fees

Some plastic surgeons charge an initial consultation fee and others do not. For those who do you should find out if the fee will be put toward the cost of your surgery. Surgeons are allowed to have whatever policy they want regarding this just like you are entitled to decide whether you will only consult with plastic surgeons who give free consultations. Just be aware that charging a consultation fee does not indicate that the surgeon is better than one who does not charge... more
Ronald J. Edelson, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon
+1

Should I Pay For A Cosmetic Consultation?

There are many policies regarding consultation fees. Some practices will apply your fee to the cost of the surgery if you schedule with them, others do not. I understand why a practice may charge a fee, you are paying for the doctor's time and knowledge. I have chosen not to charge a fee for the very reason you mention. It discourages patients from seeking other opinions and it also limits the number of doctors they may choose to see and may have surgery with a surgeon that may not be... more
Douglas L. Gervais, MD

Minneapolis Plastic Surgeon

www.mpsmn.com

+1

Paying for your Breast Augmentation Consultation

Yes, it is customary for you to pay for the initial consultation for breast augmentation. You are paying for the time and expertise of the plastic surgeon. However, many times (as is the case at my office) the doctor may apply the funds that you paid for the consultation toward the cost of the surgery when you sign up for surgery. So in a way, if you sign up for surgery, the consulation is "free," but if you don't, you will not get a refund and you have paid for... more
J. Jason Wendel, MD

Nashville Plastic Surgeon

www.mc.vanderbilt.edu

+1

Fees for consultations

Offices have different policies regarding fees for cosmetic surgery consultations. I have practiced on both sides of this issue over the years. Ultimately we found that patients who are paying for a consultation are more serious. I personally have questioned patients who have had free consultations in addition to mine, and they universally report that I spend much more time with them compared to the free doctor. Also, we found that patients who have to pay for a... more
Bruce Genter, MD

Abington Plastic Surgeon

www.drgenter.com

+1

Breast Augmentation - Is It Customary to Pay for the Initial Consultation (Breast Augmentation)?

Policies vary widely from office to office, and that includes everything related to the consultation. Some consultations are longer than others, some include a lot of time with the surgeon, others include more time with an assistant or nurse and relatively less time with the doctor. You can certainly factor in the cost of the consultation as part of your entire costs. But with the amount of information available online you should be able to do the bulk of your research in... more
Alan Engler, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Concerns about paying a consultation fee for a breast augmentation

Every office has their own policy regarding whether or not to charge for a cosmetic consultation and if so, how much. It is not wrong to charge because the visits do incur significant expenses in addition to valuable time from the plastic surgeon and his/her staff. Furthermore, given the amount of shopping around, this can add up to a significant amount and it does potentially take away time that can be used for those who have paid for surgery, etc. No one is forcing you to see someone... more
Steven Turkeltaub, MD

Scottsdale Plastic Surgeon

www.turkeltaub.com

+1

Consultation fees

If you see three of four different plastic surgeons you will get as many different opinions. Although I do not currently charge a fee for cosmetic surgical consultations it does have a value. I am not sure if this is a universal practice. A small fee to cover costs is not unreasonable but each practice will have their own operating policies.
Jeffrey Zwiren, MD

Atlanta Plastic Surgeon
+1

Consultation fee

A consultation fee is for the time of the doctor and his expertise. I find a lot of patients shop around, and I feel that it weeds out the patients that are really not interested. Most of my consultations last 30 minutes or more, just think what you would have to pay for a lawyer or a consultant for their time!
Steven Wallach, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon
+1

Is It Customary to Pay for the Initial Consultation (Breast Augmentation)?

I used to charge $75 for a consultation in the past for all the reasons listed, but in the last few years I have not with the declining economy. But I think a more reasonable approach is to take a credit card deposit down and only charge if the person does not show....That helps a bit....
John J. Corey, MD

Phoenix Plastic Surgeon
+1

Consultation fees

You are going to see a professional who spent many years in training to be able to evaluate and make a recommendation that is of some worth. Furthermore it costs the doctor money to answer your phone call, rent a space to see you in, have employees take care of you, have charting materials to record your visit etc. Why should he/she not be compensated for these expenses especially in an area where there is a high density of surgeons and the patients are doctor shopping. I hope you... more
Aaron Stone, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon
+1

Charge for consultation

I agree with charging for a consultation. It does eliminate patients who are not seriously pursuing surgery and it keeps our number of last minute cancellations or no shows down. Plus, I frequently spend an hour of my time in consult with the patient. I think it is only fair to expect some type of fee for the time even though ours is just $50. But, we always apply that money toward any surgery. So, the folks who are serious about surgery and do want surgery with... more
Jennifer Lauren Crawford, MD

Austin Plastic Surgeon
+1

Ultimately...

The cost of the consultation is just to limit cancellations and those who aren't serious. Ask the surgeons you are considering if they will deduct your consultation fee if you elect to have them do your surgery.
Robert Frank, MD

Munster Plastic Surgeon
+1

Consultation fee

Every plastic surgery makes his own decision on whether to charge a consultation fee or, if so, whether the fee should be applied to the cost of the procedure. In my area (New York City), there are plenty of plastic surgeons, myself included, who do not charge for a cosmetic consultation so I think you can obtain a great deal of information at no cost. It's important that the consultation, if free ,still be comprehensive and with the physician, as opposed to a staff member. more
Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon
+1

Consultation fee

I do not charge a consultation fee, but this varies by area and the Doctor's policies. Most people going in for cosmetic surgery think of the consultation like an estimate when you get something done for your house or car, and don't expect to be charged till something is done.
Victor Au, MD

Chapel Hill Plastic Surgeon
+1

Consultation fees

Fees for a consultation will vary from office to office and from one region of the country to another. Even if you do not have surgery with a doctor to whom you paid a consultation fee you will hopefully receive some good information or guidance for the money you spend. The decision to have several consultations is to obtain information so you are able to make an informed decision about an operation that will change the way you look. Thats a big decision. The consultations will... more
Ralph R. Garramone, MD

Fort Myers Plastic Surgeon
+1

Consultation Fee for Breast Augmentation?

Thank you for the question. You will find that every office has a different policy regarding office consultation fees. In that big picture, these fees should not be a deterrent if you receive an excellent consultation experience in return. Costs of surgery will also vary from region to region and from surgeon to surgeon; please don't make finances the primary factor in choosing your plastic surgeon. Experience, safety record, and quality of work will... more
Tom J. Pousti, MD

San Diego Plastic Surgeon

www.poustiplasticsurgery.com

+1

Price of a breast augmentation consultation

It is entirely up to the plastic surgeon's choice as to the price of the consultation. Some charge nothing and some charge a consultation fee that is deducted from the price, if you have the procedure done. Of course, the price is important, but more important is the quality of the result that you may get. I strongly suggest that you seek a plastic surgeon that is certtified by the American Board of Plastic Surgeons. This means he or she has had 5 years of general surgery residency... more
E. Ronald Finger, MD

Savannah Plastic Surgeon

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