Do Most Surgeons Charge a Consultation Fee for Breast Augmentation?

I have struggled with this question for the duration of my private practice, 27 years.  On the one hand, I want patients to value my time and do not provide a free 5 second consultation because I've elected not to charge for it.  I spent a lot of time with all my patients and it takes more time to explain why not to operate than to explain a procedure in many instances. However, I see plenty of patients who are not good candidates for surgery either based on the procedure they want to have, which would not be appropriate for them, for medical reasons precluding clearance for surgery, or who request consultations for one thing but really have used the wrong jargon and need another.  Frankly, patients really resent paying money to be told why they can't have surgery and I tell people this every week.  Patients who are status post heart attack or stroke or who are on blood thinners or Accutane are not surgical candidates.  Their issues may not be amenable to non-invasive treatment. I prefer to build good will than to make an issue about $100.   So, am I providing "free" education?  Sure, but educating patients about plastic surgery is a public service.  Plastic surgeons don't make their money on consultations but in the operating room.  Patients who don't undergo surgery can refer as many or more friends and family members to me---and they do, all the time. 

Prior to the 2008 economic downturn, most board certified plastic surgeons charged for cosmetic consultations. After 2008, Plastic Surgeons became one of the few specialites where some of its members did not to charge for their time at the initial consultation or else simply applied it  to the surgeon's fee. The reason is that during the economic downturn a tremendous amount of non-board certified plastic surgeons doing cosmetic surgery did not charge so that the public was directed towards less trained individuals. This circumstance continues to day. Our office presently does not charge for  the first cosmetic consultation but we still charge for reconstruction consultations.

It is standard for surgeons to charge a consultation fee. My consultation fee is $60 and is subtracted from the cost of surgery.  I have heard from many patients who have had a 'free' consultation but did not actually get to see the physician or when they did, it was for a very short time and very little information was provided.