Are Rhinoplasty consultations free?

Each surgeon has a different
policy regarding the fees associated with the initial consultation visit. Some
doctors offer this visit free of charge, while many doctors charge a fee to meet
for this initial appointment. If there is a fee associated with the
consultation appointment, however, this cost is typically applicable to the
cost of surgery should the patient choose to procedure with that doctor. At my
office, I evaluate his or her
candidacy for a nose job based on these photos, and provide my honest opinion
as to whether or not to proceed with the cosmetic surgery. If the patient does
choose to proceed at this point, I invite them to either schedule an in-person
or over the phone, FaceTime or Skype consultation where we will go over specific details of the
rhinoplasty, answer all questions regarding the procedure, and work together to
come up with a realistic goal for the patient’s new nose. I would advise you to
directly contact each surgeon’s office whom you are considering to inquire
about their policy regarding consultation fees.

This varies from city to city, state to state, country to country. A lot of plastic surgeons do NOT charge a cosmetic consultation fee and if one is charged, it may be credited to the cost of your surgery. Some surgeons don't charge a fee altogether and others do charge a fee that is neither refundable nor can it be applied to any surgical cost. Whether or not a fee is charged is completely independent of the reputation and skill level of the surgeon. It varies between local markets, which are the main driving force in pricing, just like in any other business (restaurants, groceries, haircuts, etc.). Please remember, though, that this billing practice only applies to COSMETIC rhinoplasty consultations and not functional surgery. For functional (non-cosmetic) rhinoplasty consultations, insurance typically gets billed just like it would for any other office visits. Furthermore, if a nasal endoscopy is done at the initial consultation (which I personally always perform for rhinoplasty consultations to assess the nasal septum irrespective of the rhinoplasty being for cosmetic or functional purposes), we submit the nasal endoscopy fee to insurance. Best wishes!

Nothing in life is really free. The clinics offering fee consultations first make you meet their sales person who tries to sell you surgery with surgeons who have little experience in this complex field. You should pay £50 to £150 for a consultation with a Surgeon that you have researched well and with good reviews. This is often refunded if you book surgery. Don't take risks with your nose. 

I would go on consultations to help get your questions addressed. I
would search for the board certified plastic surgeon who you feel is
most likely to give you the best results and who performs hundreds of
these procedures each year. I would look at patient reviews as well as
before and after photos on that surgeon's website.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

In our practice, we charge for the consultation fee, since the appointment lasts one hour in the office. The consultation includes time with the nurse, time with the doctor, time with administrator and computer imaging. Most experienced rhinoplasty surgeons charge for their time.