1 day ago
Delhi Commission Orders Doctor to Pay for Crooked Nose Surgery
A woman had surgery to change the shape of her nose and help with a crooked divider inside it.
She said the result looked crooked and that she still had trouble breathing.
She later had another operation with a different doctor.
The first doctor said she had wanted a sharper-looking nose and had been told about possible risks.
A consumer commission looked at photographs and medical records.
It said being unhappy with how surgery looks does not automatically prove negligence.
But appearance matters in cosmetic surgery because improving appearance is one of its main aims.
The commission ordered the doctor to pay her Rs 65,000.
A Delhi consumer commission ordered a doctor to pay a woman Rs 65,000 over shortcomings in cosmetic nose surgery.
The woman paid Rs 1.30 lakh for rhinoplasty, functional tip plasty and septoplasty in January 2023.
She alleged her nose tip turned upwards, her nose remained crooked and she continued to have breathing problems.
The commission said aesthetic dissatisfaction alone does not prove medical negligence, but cosmetic results cannot be ignored.
The doctor said the woman wanted a sharper nose and had been informed about risks and healing-related changes.
- Who
- A woman who underwent nose surgery and the doctor who performed it.
- What
- A Delhi District Consumer Commission ordered the doctor to pay Rs 65,000 for shortcomings in service.
- Where
- Delhi.
- When
- The commission issued its ruling on September 25; the surgery took place in January 2023.
- Why
- The commission found that the cosmetic outcome could not be disregarded and identified shortcomings in service.
Woman's allegations and commission's findings
Doctor's position
Surgical outcome
Woman's allegations and commission's findings
The woman said her nose tip was turned upwards, her nose remained crooked and she continued to have breathing problems. The commission said photographs showed an upturned tip and a somewhat crooked appearance.
Doctor's position
The doctor maintained that the woman had sought cosmetic refinement for a well-defined, sharper nose.
Risks and service
Woman's allegations and commission's findings
The woman alleged the nasal packs were not properly fixed and said she needed revision surgery. The commission found shortcomings in service and ordered a partial refund.
Doctor's position
The doctor said the woman had been informed of the risks, had given informed consent and was told the nose's shape could change during healing.
Meaning of dissatisfaction
Woman's allegations and commission's findings
The commission said the aesthetic result is relevant because the purpose of cosmetic surgery is to improve appearance.
Doctor's position
The commission also emphasized that dissatisfaction with appearance and proof of medical negligence are not synonymous.
Key facts
- Compensation ordered
- Rs 65,000, equal to 50 per cent of the Rs 1.30 lakh paid for the first surgery.
- First surgery
- Open rhinoplasty with functional tip plasty and septoplasty.
- Date of first surgery
- January 2023.
- Revision surgery cost
- The woman said she spent Rs 4.60 lakh on revision rhinoplasty with septal reconstruction by another doctor.
- Commission's distinction
- Aesthetic dissatisfaction and proof of medical negligence are distinct matters.
- Consumer helpline
- National Consumer Helpline: 1915.
Quotes
Delhi District Consumer Commission bench
The commission bench comprising president Monika Aggarwal Srivastava and members Rajender Dhar and Ritu Garodia.
“The primary objective of cosmetic surgery is to make individuals appear beautiful. Aesthetics is frequently the focal point of the procedure. However, dissatisfaction with the aesthetic outcome and proof of medical negligence are two distinct matters and cannot be treated as synonymous.”
indianexpress.com
Sources
Related news
Delhi Commission Orders Dentist to Pay for Missing Consent
NCDRC Raises Compensation After Fatal Ovarian Surgery Negligence Case
Tamil Nadu Commission Orders Wellness Clinic to Pay Woman Rs 86,200
Hyderabad Consumer Commission Orders Insurer to Pay Rs 5.60 Lakh
State commission raises compensation for advocate’s surgical nerve damage
Chandigarh Consumer Commission Orders Airline to Refund Rescheduling Fee
Telangana Commission Orders Ed-Tech Refund After Training Complaint
Telangana Commission Awards Rs 21,000 Over Damaged Shoes
Amritsar Consumer Commission Orders Bank to Pay Rs 1.5 Lakh
