I want to cancel breast augmentation! What should I do?

Question

Ive paid all the surgeons fees ($4500 total) for my BA scheduled 4 weeks away. I've only been considering a BA for a few months. One thing led to another and here I am scheduled for surgery! I don't hate my boobs, and I never wear pushup bras. I feel like I regret this decision already but the paperwork I signed says that there are no refunds given after the pre op appointment! I am trying to talk myself into this and get excited, but I really don't want to go through with it. What should I do?

G. Robert Meger, MD · Answer

Every practice is different but in most cases the majority of the surgical fee would be refundable if you cancel within 4 weeks.  Your surgeon may have more strict financial policies which should be clearly defined in the paperwork that you signed but one thing is sure, the sooner you inform your surgeon you are having second thoughts the more likely you are to get your fees returned.  Call your surgeon's office TODAY and relay your feelings.Best of luck to you!G. Robert Meger MD

Joshua Cooper, MD, FACS · Answer

Definitely make an appointment to discuss your concerns with your plastic surgeon.You certainly don't want to undergo this operation if you are unsure about it!

John Paul Tutela, MD · Answer

Thanks for reaching out.  My advice is to go speak with your surgeon right away.  Let them know of your concerns and your hesitation.  Remember Plastic Surgeons are Doctors.  In general we are compassionate and empathetic individuals who have chosen a field in medicine.  Even though the paper works states that I am sure they will be reasonable with you.  Maybe they will offer a partial refund or even the whole thing.I hope this helps :)

David J. Wages, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  The best answer is usually being honest.  Many times the paperwork can state no refunds but if you explain your emotional uncertainty and how you feel being rushed and not comfortable with proceeding when your surgery more than likely you may get your investment back.  A reputable surgeon would prefer to have a patient who wants surgery or admits they are not ready than one who feels pressured to move forward because of potential financial loss.  Good luck.

Nana N. Mizuguchi, MD, FACS · Answer

I would just talk to your surgeon.  Most offices will give you a refund especially if it is 4 weeks away.  We don't want to do procedures on patients who really are not 100% committed.Best Wishes,Nana Mizuguchi, MD

Steven M. Camp, MD · Answer

Thank you for your question.  Please sit down with your surgeon and let him or her know your feelings.  An ethical surgical should replace a large portion of the money and would never do surgery on someone who was apprehensive.  They may keep a small bit of your deposit due to the fact that time has already been spent working with the team.  Hoping the best for you.Steven Camp MD#HappyCamperMD

Richard J. Brown, MD · Answer

Well this is a no brainer to me. If you are feeling apprehensive about having an operation then there is no way I would ever go through with it. What do you do? Exactly what you did here, sit down with your surgeon and be honest. I do not know many surgeons with good ethics that would not honor your not wanting to have surgery and not refund most or all of your money. I do have a 500 dollar booking fee in my office and for the most part patients forfeit that if they cancel within a certain time period, but a month out your surgeon should be ok with that. I do allow my patients to put 500 dollars towards other treatments and who doesn't want a facial, or skin care products, or even some other injectable treatment. But, at the end of the day everyone has a policy. Again, ASAP you need to tell your surgeon and I think you will be surprised. Do this when your head is right, that is really a no brainer from my standpoint. Best of luck!Sincerely,DrRickAZ

Curtis Wong, MD · Answer

and if you're a month out, most surgeons would refund your fee if the time can be filled with another procedure.  But the worst thing you can do is have a procedure you do not want.   Talk to your surgeon and sort through your feels now (not 2 weeks down the road) and if you really don't want surgery, work with your surgeon on getting a refund and if hitting roadblocks due to the 'non-refundable' fee, look to make sure it isn't for surgery because if it is and you used your credit card, you can obtain a refund through your credit card for services not rendered.  And the figure out why you did what you did and try to learn from it so it won't be repeated in the future.

Rodney E. Schmelzer, MD · Answer

we don't force surgery.  If you do not want it and have second thoughts, just speak to your surgeon.  In good faith and ethics, as a board certified physician, he/she should offer your monies back, especially this far in advance when you have so many concerns.  It's merely a matter of doing the appropriate thing for the patient, and your concerns and change of mind, are both reasonable and deserve to be addressed.

Tom J. Pousti, MD · Answer

I think that you have received good advice here. You should certainly not move ahead with the breast surgery until you are quite certain that it is the right operation for you. The sooner you communicate with your plastic surgeon's office, the more likely that you will receive a full refund. Best wishes.

I want to cancel breast augmentation! What should I do?

Answers (15)