When can a plastic surgeon deny doing the plastic surgery that I want?

Hello valen123,Thanks for your question.The short answer is that a plastic surgeon can always choose not to perform elective surgery on you.Elective surgery is surgery that doesn't need to happen.  Patients "elect" to have the surgery.  Cosmetic surgery is elective surgery.  Sometimes, patients who have "Body Dysmorphic Disorder", or BDD, present for elective cosmetic surgery.  Patients with BDD believe that they have physical deformities that they really don't, or that are minimal at best.  These patients believe that plastic surgery can "fix" their problem.  The issue is that BDD is a psychiatric disorder, not a physical one.  These unfortunate patients end up having round after round of plastic surgery procedures, and go to multiple surgeons for these procedures, but they never feel better.  These patients often become plastic surgery addicts.An ethical plastic surgeon will not operate on these types of patients if they can avoid it.Also, if a plastic surgeon doesn't feel like they can have a cooperative relationship with a patient, or that a patient has unrealistic expectations, they can choose not to operate on a patient.In the end, our obligation is to "Do no harm!"I hope this helped?Good luck,Dr. Shah

A plastic surgeon does not have to do ANY surgery they do not want to do as we are not legally or ethically bound to perform surgery we do not think is necessary. I would listen to what they have said and seek out a second opinion from another board certified PS and listen to what they say. Do not discuss what the other PS has said until the end of the consult then let him give you a perspective of what the other PS thoughts were. 

Can a plastic surgeon refuse to perform an elective procedure? Absolutely. We are under no obligation to perform procedures requested by patients. Usually a plastic surgeon would decline to perform a procedure because it is unsafe, unwise, not beneficial to the patient or because the patient has unrealistic expectations about the outcome. Typically when we deny performing a procedure the reason is that we are looking out for your own safety and health and for some reason the surgery will not produce the results that you think it will. If you're disappointed by your surgeon's recommendations please seek a second opinion. If 2-3 surgeons decline to perform a procedure you might want to reconsider the procedure.

A plastic surgeon is under no obligation to perform surgery on any patient who presents for a consult in his or her office.  I find patients are not happy when I decline to offer the operation they want, and I am in the surgery business to do surgery, after all.  So why would I decline an operation?  Because not everyone is a good candidate for any surgery or perhaps just the one that is being requested.  So ultimately, by declining to offer a surgery, the plastic surgeon is putting the patient's well being ahead of his or her own desire to fill the surgery schedule.  That is how an ethical surgeon practices and it should be respected.  Get a second opinion if you need confirmation.  If the next surgeon offers an operation, make sure your interests are being placed first.

There are many reasons a plastic surgeon should be hesitant in performing the plastic surgery you want.  He might feel that he is not technically able to perform the surgery.  He might feel that your perceived deformities are not realistic.  You might have medical problems that might make such plastic surgery risky.  Your surgeon might feel you have unrealistic expectations.  If your plastic surgeon hesitates, listen to him.  After all, most plastic surgeons love to operate!  He might be giving you very good advice.

Cosmetic plastic surgery is elective surgery. It requires that you feel comfortable with your surgeon and that your surgeon feels comfortable doing a procedure he/she feels would be beneficial to you.  No one can force a plastic surgeon to do an elective procedure if he/she feels you would not benefit from it, just like no one can force you to undergo a procedure you do not want.  You can always seek second opinions to see what others may have to say.