Can patients request breast surgery revision at the doctors cost if a doctor's mistakes or errors cause issues for the patient?

Most doctors should try to do any revision surgery at minimal or no cost, if there is an unexpected error, but some complications just happen, despite the best care and intentions. I believe it is not the doctors responsibility to cover hospital or implant costs, as these are usually covered by private health insurance. If you choose to not have this, then you are accepting to bear these costs, in my opinion.
It is very, very uncommon for the wrong implant to be put in, or to out them in upside down, though.
Regards, Dr Steve Merten, Sydney

Dear stellanova, this is a great however touchy subject.  I think it speaks volumes of the quality and integrity of the doctor when he/she admits having made a mistake in the first place and then takes all the steps to correct it with the least possible expense to the patient.  It's only fair!  Now, a bad outcome doesn't always mean a mistake was made!  Take for instance an augmentation mastopexy (lift) This is a very challenging operation that has normally a 20 to 25% revision rate.  Here both the doctor and the patient are taking a risk, it's a shared thing.  If something needs to be corrected I'll be more than happy to do it without a charge but I ask the patient to cover the expenses of the surgery center and anesthesia and they mostly oblige.  Now, if I really blew it then I will cover everything because I don't want an unhappy patient telling everybody what a jerk I am.  I want my patients happy so I give them the benefit of the doubt and I keep my reputation intact.  Hope this helps!