What Do You Do If you Are Unhappy with Your Cosmetic Surgery?

Some patients will not be satisfied with their cosmetic surgery.  In many cases, their dissatisfaction is warranted; in other cases it is not – the patient may not have been realistic about what results could be achieved. 

In any event, the dissatisfied patient has the right to have a detailed conversation with her or her surgeon and ask why things did not go well and what can be done to improve the situation.  I also believe a second opinion, from an objective outside source – ideally a superspecialist in the procedure – is extremely valuable.  I always make this recommendation:  “When in doubt, seek a second opinion.”

I have had occasion in my practice where neither the patient nor I were completely satisfied with the result. He is what I say to the patient, “Frankly, I’d like to have some input from a colleague and get an opinion as to what the best step would be going forward.”  Patients very much appreciate the offer.  I see to it that there is no charge made to the patient for that.  And often the patient and I both learn something. All this is done in the spirit of preserving a good, solid professional relationship, with the object being to have a satisfied patient and a gratified surgeon.

One thing that is very important is that the consulting doctor have access to all the medical records including pre-and post-operative photos.  Remember, regardless of the state of friendliness between the patient and the original surgeon, the surgeon is obliged to provide these records to the patient.  Medical ethics, and state laws governing medical practice, demand that all must be done in the interest of the patient and, therefore, any and all medical records including the photographs, x-rays or whatever, must be available to ether the patient or to a physician of his/her choosing. 

The reason to have the medical records at hand during the second opinion consultation is to understand the history and to see what the pre-operative state was and make a realistic judgment as to what could be reasonably achieved and what could not be achieved.  It is also important to read the operative report to see if there are extending circumstances to compromise the result.  Were there complications after surgery that had a bearing on the outcome?  All these things are best understood by a thorough review of complete records.

You are entitled to have the best service possible.  Don’t be shy.  You are entitled to the records and you are entitled to the input from another doctor who may well say that the best was done that could be done.  But in any event, you will feel better about hearing it from a second source.