Do I Have to Pay for Revision Rhinoplasty?

Question

I had rhinoplasty a year ago. My nostrils are significantly uneven and I am not happy with the overall result. My surgeon removed more skin from the left side. It's uneven to the point that other people notice looking straight at my face. My surgeon said he can do a revision however, he is charging me more than the first time since I now have scar tissue. Is that the norm? I think he made an error when he did the surgery and he should waive the surgeon's fee.

Paul K. Holden, MD · Answer

I think some of my colleagues here have hinted that there is a problem in all of this - your relationship with your surgeon is damaged.  Clearly, you are not happy with what they did for you and your surgeon feels that he/she should be compensated to fix what they did.  You are probably not happy with any of this since you already paid for what you consider to be an inadequate result.  In this situation, I urge you to seek more opinions. 

	Take note that primary rhinoplasty is almost always easier than a revision, so if your surgeon was not able to reach your goals with the primary, the likelihood that this will happen with revision is lower.  Someone else even said that the fact that your surgeon wants to charge you so much may be their way of trying to make you go elsewhere without having to tell you they can't or don't want to help you.

	I wish you all the best...be very selective before you decide to undergo more surgery.

Sam Rizk, MD · Answer

Whether or not you will be
required to pay for your revision rhinoplasty essentially depends on which
doctor you choose to move forward with. Many times, a doctor will offer to do a
second, revision rhinoplasty surgery free of cost or at a discounted rate. Each
surgeon has a different policy regarding revision rhinoplasty. However, if you
choose an entirely new surgeon, considering you have the second nose job done
in the same geographic location, you will likely have to pay around the same
price that you paid for your initial rhinoplasty.

Oakley Smith, MD, FRCSC · Answer

The major determinant factor is who is doing the surgery. If its the same doctor, then its common practice to either waive the fee or charge only for the overhead costs, facility and anesthetic fee. If its a new surgeon, unfortunately the cost is usually considerably more than the first surgery for two reasons. Revision surgery is more difficult and hence takes longer and the revision surgeon is usually more experienced and skilled.

Eric M. Joseph, MD · Answer

Since your surgeon would be charging you, and since you're not satisfied with the nose job he performed, consider getting a second opinion. If you want opinions from the RealSelf experts, you may want to address your concerns with photos attached.

	Hope this helps.

	Dr. Joseph

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Every surgeon is different in regards to their policy for revision.  Go get a second opinion to be sure you want to do this.

Do I Have to Pay for Revision Rhinoplasty?

Answers (5)