Should I Have to Pay for a Second Breast Augmentation Surgery After Infection?

One week after my breast augmentation surgery I had to have my implants removed due to infection in both sides. The doctor said it was not staph, but a very rare situation.I feel like I should not have to pay for the second surgery. Should I?

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12 Doctor Answers | Asked by nicole gaffney

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Should I Have to Pay for a Second Breast Augmentation Surgery After Infection?Answer:

Most of us that are Board Cert. would not charge a patient in the case of complications but the patient would be responsible for the Surgery Center and Anesthesia costs. It is not reasonable for the doctor to cover, out of pocket, every bad thing that happens to a patient. Most doctors are happy to donate their time to get it right!!!

Charges for Further Surgery

Thank you for the question. You will find that there is no standard policy among plastic surgeons in the rare event of breast implant infection. I think the majority of plastic surgeons build their practices on the principal of making their patients happy; most will not charge (or if so minimally) patients who have had an unfortunate complication. I would suggest continued communication with your plastic surgeon in a calm nonaccusatory fashion. Best wishes. more

Replacing infected breast implants

Each office will have it's own pricing policy but most would not charge to remove the infected implants. But since implant infection is very rare and shouldn't be considered to be the "surgeon's fault" in most cases, there would be some reinsertion costs to offset the costs of equipment, salaries to the staff, and new implants.

Implant Removal Due To Infection All Part of Original Surgery

If an implant needs to be removed due to an infection in the initial healing course ( first few months), most surgeons do not charge to replace the implant. To me, this is all part of the initial surgery and means that something did not go as planned for whatever reason. I would address it with your surgeon since we all have different revision policies, but my hope is that they would not charge you for it.

Reaugment costs after infection

Bilateral infection is very rare and, unless the surgeon was somehow at fault, I don't know how you could expect him to be responsible for the costs of a second operation. Consult your doctor's financial policy. Most plastic surgeons want their patients to have good outcomes and I am sure that your surgeon will try to work with you to achieve a compromise solution that is appropriate for both of you. I would encourage you to discuss the type of infection and potential treatment with your... more

Infection after surgery

I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Infections are indeed rare, when proper technique and antibiotic coverage is used - but they do happen. Most commonly it's from the patient's skin bacteria. Each office has their own policy. Review the paperwork you signed prior to your first surgery - it may be written there. Usually, the fees are significantly reduced...but the patient will probably have to pay for supplies and for the anesthesiologist, even if... more

Infection after breast augmentation

Thank you for your question. I am very sorry that you had an infection. Each plastic surgeon's office has it's own policy. One important thing to check is see if your plastic surgeon carries insurance for complications after cosmetic surgery. One such company is CosmetAssure. This type of insurance will pay medical bills associated, for instance, with the removal of an infected breast implant, etc... My office carries CosmetAssure and luckily, I rarely have to... more

Who pays for revision surgery

Hello, The answer to this question depends on each situation. In most situtations where there is no specific person or event at fault it is hard to imagine that any one entity (patient or surgeon) would want to pay in full. Often, it works best in these situation if everyone chips in. The surgeon can do his/her part for free, the facility might discount their fees, and the patient picks up the rest. All the best, Dr Repta

Infection of implants and costs

Every office is a bit different. Usually the facility fees will not be waived( anesthesia, staff, implants), but I think the majority of doctors will waive their fee to perform the surgery.

Steven Wallach, MD

12 reviews

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

Breast implant replacement after infection

Breast implant infection is very uncommon after augmentation, infection on both sides is rare. If the infection cannot be solved with antibiotics, then removal and later replacement is the only option. Cause is very difficult to determine though you could ask about surgical infection rates in the facility you had your procedure performed and if there is a 'problem' consider your replacement elsewhere. In surgical and medical care, cost is related to treatment, and not to a specific... more

Cost of a redo

It is very uncommon to have to remove both implants for infection in an elective breast augmentation scenario. I would think that a major adjustment of costs would be in order. You are certainly responsible for the OR fee and anesthesia. The professional fee should be negotiable. You are , unfortunately, more susceptible to another infection and should discuss this with your plastic surgeon. All the best, Talmage J. Raine MD FACS

Talmage J. Raine, MD

5 reviews

Chicago Plastic Surgeon

Should I Have to Pay for a Second Breast Augmentation Surgery After Infection?

Most boarded PSs would not charge for their time but a facility, anesthesia and new implant fee would be a charge. The idea is to cover the out of pocket costs to the surgeon. Remember the infection was not the surgeon's fault, in most cases, just one of those things. In my practice the fee would be $1250 (MIAMI).