Many patients ask me why a consultation fee exists in cosmetic surgery. In my clinical experience, this question usually comes from comparing a paid consultation with a so-called “free consultation.” It is natural to wonder—if another surgeon is not charging anything, why should you pay at all?
The honest answer is simple: a meaningful consultation has value. When you pay nothing, you often receive nothing of real substance.
Are free cosmetic surgery consultations really better?
Free consultations are rarely designed to educate you. Most of the time, they function as high-pressure sales conversations rather than medical discussions.
A professional cosmetic surgery consultation should:
Be educational, not persuasive
Focus on your anatomy, safety, and suitability
Clarify what surgery can and cannot achieve
Help you avoid unrealistic expectations
When no fee is charged, the consultation often becomes a marketing tool rather than a medical evaluation.
Dr. Milan Doshi’s Tip:
If a consultation feels rushed or sales-driven, it is not serving your long-term interests.
What are you actually paying for in a consultation?
In my practice, a consultation is not a formality—it is the foundation of safe and ethical cosmetic surgery.
A paid consultation includes:
Detailed medical and aesthetic assessment
Honest discussion of options, limitations, and risks
Personalised surgical planning
Guidance on whether surgery is even necessary
Time, experience, and clinical judgment
Just like any highly trained professional, a surgeon’s expertise and time carry value.
Why serious patients benefit from consultation fees
A consultation fee also creates mutual respect. It ensures that:
The patient is genuinely serious and prepared
The discussion is focused and productive
Decisions are made thoughtfully, not impulsively
As author Mark Sugar explains in A Guide to Choosing a Good Plastic Surgeon, the cost of a consultation is insignificant compared to the long-term impact of choosing the right surgeon—and the potential cost of correcting poor surgery later.
Dr. Milan Doshi’s Tip:
When surgery costs lakhs, basing your surgeon choice on a free consultation is rarely wise.
My approach to consultations at Allure Medspa
At Allure Medspa, I do charge a consultation fee. This is not a business tactic—it is a commitment to quality care.
In my clinical experience, patients who invest in a proper consultation:
Feel more confident about their decisions
Have realistic expectations
Experience smoother surgical journeys
Are more satisfied with long-term outcomes
The fee you pay is an investment in clarity, safety, and expert guidance—not just an appointment slot.
Final thoughts from Dr. Milan Doshi
Cosmetic surgery is not a product; it is a medical decision that can influence your confidence and quality of life. A life-changing journey deserves thoughtful planning, not shortcuts.
If you remember one thing, let it be this: when you pay nothing, you often gain nothing. But when you invest in the right consultation, you invest in yourself—under the care of Dr. Milan Doshi.
