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Should I Pay for Blepharoplasty Surgery Upfront?

My physician is asking me to pay the full sum of a blepharoplasty 'up front', two weeks before the surgery. Is that legit?

Asked 35 months ago by reevesd in Westminster, Maryland, USA

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Blepharoplasty payment

Good question. Payment in advance is the norm and avoids dealing with "business matters" the day of surgery when our team's focus is entirely on you and your surgery.

Daniel Townsend, MD

Boston Oculoplastic Surgeon

It is standard practice to prepay for cosmetic surgery

You have no choice. If you want to have cosmetic surgery -- you will have to pre-pay for it. It is a standard practice to pay for cosmetic surgery BEFORE the surgery. Surgery is very similar to flying a plane with the exception that a Plastic surgeon does NOT book more procedures into the same time slot as airlines do. You cannot fly unless you buy a ticket and if you cancel -- you will be subject to cancellation fees. As surgeons, we reserve a block of time just for you. That block of time... more

Peter A. Aldea, MD

Memphis Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Payment of Cosmetic Surgery

Thanks for the question - Typically payment for cosmetic procedures is required prior to surgery. Most practices have cancellation policies to deal with the need to reschedule, postpone or cancel surgery. Be sure to ask prior to deciding on surgery. I hope this helps.

Steven H. Williams, MD

San Francisco Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Prepayment for surgery

Cosmetic surgery requires a deposit and full payment prior to the scheduled surgery date, subject to cancellation and refund policies. Your surgeon should provide all such policies to you at the time of scheduling so there will be no misunderstanding. The surgeon is not only committing his time to you but also retaining the services of other medical professionals, including the anesthesiologist. I do not apply a cancellation fee if the reason is legitimate and the surgery is rescheduled... more

Robert L. Kraft, MD

New York Plastic Surgeon

ASPS

Payment for cosmetic surgery

Thank you for your question. It is standard practice to request payment a couple of weeks in advance for cosmetic procedures including blepharoplasty. As others have pointed out, it is always a good idea to understand your surgeon's cancellation and other policies prior to finalizing payment. Good luck.

James M. Pearson, MD

Los Angeles Facial Plastic Surgeon

Payment is up front for cosmetic procedures

IMHO, this is the standard paractice of most good physicians who do this kind of work.

Doctor's Website

Lawrence Kass, MD

Saint Petersburg Oculoplastic Surgeon

Paying before surgery

This is absolutely legit. The surgeon is reserving a spot in your name with the facility and anesthesiology service, not to mention his or her time where they can be doing surgery on someone else. Unfortunately some patients in the past do things such as not paying their bill or cancelled the day of surgery for minor reasons and left the surgeon out on the limb. Thus the payment is done to reserve the spot. There is variation between surgeons as to how much and how early but almost everyone... more

Chris Thiagarajah, MD

Washington DC Oculoplastic Surgeon

Payment Up Front For Blepharoplasty

It is quite the norm for plastic surgery patients to pay the full amount in advance of the procedure date. As the other surgeons here have pointed out this is common practice for nearly every office. We have a policy of having patients place a 20% deposit at the time of booking. This essentially reserves that time slot for their scheduled case. Two weeks prior to the surgery we then request the remaining balance to be paid in full. By that point the surgery schedule has been... more

John M. Hilinski, MD

San Diego Facial Plastic Surgeon

Paying in advance for surgery

Paying for surgery in advance is the rule of thumb. It may seem questionable asking for payment two weeks in advance, but it really makes sense when you think about the preparations involved. The operating room needs to be reserved and so does anesthesia. That sets three or four people's schedules in motion and also requires their payment in advance. The surgeon is reserving his/her time for your procedure, which takes it away from other patients who might want the same date. Your surgeon... more

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Adam Rubinstein, MD

Miami Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Payment Up Front: Industry Standard

I agree with other posters. Business issues, negotiations, etc. need to be cleared up well in advance of surgery. Why? Key personnel such as an Anesthesiologist, or CRNA, surgical techs, RN's etc need to be coordinated for the day of your surgery. In addition, OR time must be secured and at times additional supplies ordered. Most practices adhere to this standard.

Stephen Prendiville, MD

Fort Myers Facial Plastic Surgeon

Blepharoplasty is paid for in advance.

Hi. The standard is to pay for cosmetic surgery such as blepharoplasty or facelift in advance. Every surgeon has a specific cancellation policy. So get the details.

George J. Beraka, MD

Manhattan Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Cosmetic surgery typically paid for in advance

It is common to have fees paid in full before cosmetic surgery. If you have concerns, it is not unreasonable to ask for the cancellation policy in writing.

Jonathan Hoenig, MD

Beverly Hills Oculoplastic Surgeon

Scheduling and paying for Blepharoplasty

Most professional and ethical practitioners have a policy to schedule surgery. Typically, payment is made several weeks ahead of time. This should not surprise you as the policy is commonplace in the United States. It avoids the extra drama of completing financial commitments on the morning of surgery. On the day of surgery, you should have all of the non-surgical components of your procedure completed in order to avoid undue stress.

Raffy Karamanoukian, MD

Los Angeles Plastic Surgeon

Yes, this is the standard

Cosmetic surgery is always paid up front usually 2 weeks before surgery. This prevents the patient after the fact telling the doctor they aren't happy and aren't going to pay even in the setting of a perfectly good outcome. It also protects the surgery schedule as there will be stiff penalties for cancelling within the last 2 weeks before suregry when it will not be easy for the doctor to replace your spot on the schedule with another patient. For reasonable situations, you may be allowed... more

Richard P. Rand, MD, FACS

Seattle Plastic Surgeon

ASAPS ASPS

Do ask for the cancelation policy

This is a commen practice for elective and cosmetic procedures. Make sure that your doctor's office has a cancelation policy. It is customary to return 100% of the fee if there is a legit reason for the cancelation.