For the sake of consultation depth, and considering the opportunity cost of the doctors and managers, I personally think charging a consultation fee is only natural anywhere. Of course, free consultations have a lot of dead ends, so they can only end up being half-hearted, and the opportunity cost from free consultations is not only passed on to the people actually getting surgery, but can also make it harder for people who are truly desperate for surgery to even book. So I actually view paid consultations more favorably.
But even I felt disappointed about the consultation fee.
I asked whether I could pay the deposit to confirm surgery after having a satisfying remote consultation for a fee, and then asked if the in-person consultation fee would also be charged, and they said yes, it would be charged. Even if you confirm surgery and put down a non-refundable deposit, they still say the consultation fee is charged no matter what. I’m not ignoring the staff’s opportunity cost, but this is a patient who wants surgery so much they’re putting down a surgery deposit and confirming the procedure here, and I think charging both the remote consultation fee and the in-person consultation fee on top of the deposit is a little excessive.
Also, if you want to book surgery, you need to pay a deposit, but regarding the fact that it is absolutely non-refundable, they only gave me the account number and didn’t explain it.
When I said I’d cancel after paying the deposit, I understand that time and financial losses occur from consultations and surgery preparation, but I only found out by reading the community that even if you cancel immediately after payment, you can’t get the deposit back.
I don’t know if other hospitals are like this, and maybe they all are. Of course, it’s only right to think carefully before paying a deposit, but before booking, if you’re not absolutely certain you won’t change your mind, please don’t make the reservation.
The YouTube videos were very convincing, they explained things clearly with CT-based evidence, and the remote consultation was satisfying, so my expectations were high.
When I tried to call before confirming the appointment to ask about in-person consultation or anything I was curious about, maybe because they were busy with many bookings, it was very hard to reach the manager by phone, and the staff’s kindness was also a little disappointing.
When they see patients after surgery, there is not only progress data by date, but they also show photos from the front, 45 degrees, and side views, always explaining things properly through data, and speaking based on the CT, and I appreciated their honesty in saying that even the area I brought up was actually unnecessary. They do seem highly trustworthy and professional.
But even after visiting several places, out of the four, their contour surgery cost was the highest (X1.5~X3), which was too much of a burden, and even after completing the remote consultation and confirming surgery, I felt let down by things like the consultation fees charged twice, so right before putting down the deposit to almost confirm surgery, I decided to go somewhere cheaper and with staff who are a bit kinder.
I don’t know about the surgery itself since I didn’t have it, but I do strongly recommend the consultation. However, if you’re planning to go here, so that you don’t pay the consultation fee twice, I recommend preparing your questions and concerns carefully and getting an in-person consultation all at once instead of a remote consultation. (But in that case, make sure to prepare your questions thoroughly so the money won’t feel wasted.)
Please also consider that even the first surgery, not just revision surgery, is expensive, and that the staff who answer the phone and handle consultations are not especially friendly.