6. Office Policies
Last update: June 10, 2026
240 Central Park South, Suite 2H New York, NY 10019
These policies are intended to help patients understand how our office operates. They do not replace the informed consent process, individualized medical advice, or any separate surgical, anesthesia, facility, financial, privacy, media, or other consent forms.
If there is a conflict between these general office policies and a separately signed surgical agreement, anesthesia agreement, facility agreement, consent form, financial agreement, privacy notice, media authorization, or procedure-specific document, the more specific signed document controls to the extent permitted by law.
By scheduling or receiving care at Saman Facial Plastic Surgery, PLLC, patients acknowledge that these policies may apply to their care. Patients may be asked to separately sign acknowledgments, consents, financial agreements, or procedure-specific forms before consultation, treatment, or surgery.
Confidentiality and Privacy
Saman Facial Plastic Surgery, PLLC is committed to protecting patient privacy and maintaining the confidentiality of protected health information.
Our practice maintains policies and procedures regarding:
- Secure storage and handling of patient records.
- Appropriate use and disclosure of protected health information.
- Patient access to medical records.
- Billing, administrative, and privacy practices.
- Secure communication whenever reasonably possible.
Patients will be provided with our Notice of Privacy Practices, which explains how medical information may be used and disclosed and how patients may access their information. Patients may request a copy of the Notice of Privacy Practices at any time.
Questions about privacy practices may be directed to our office.
Non-Discrimination, Access, and Reasonable Accommodations
Saman Facial Plastic Surgery, PLLC provides care in accordance with applicable federal, New York State, and New York City civil rights laws.
We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex, pregnancy, religion or creed, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or partnership status, citizenship or immigration status, height, weight, or any other category protected by applicable law.
We are committed to providing respectful, professional, and inclusive care to all patients.
Patients who require a reasonable accommodation should notify our office in advance whenever possible so that appropriate arrangements can be considered and made when required by law.
Language Assistance and Interpreter Services
Interpreter services are available upon request at no cost to the patient, when required by applicable law. Patients who require language assistance should notify our office in advance whenever possible so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
Patients may bring a support person or interpreter if desired, subject to our accompanying persons policy and clinical privacy requirements.
Communication Policy
Non-urgent messages, emails, and portal messages are typically answered within two business days.
Patients should not use email, text message, or the patient portal for medical emergencies. These communication methods may not be monitored continuously.
By providing contact information, patients consent to receive appointment reminders, billing notifications, follow-up instructions, and other care-related administrative communications by phone, email, text message, or patient portal, as permitted by law.
Patients understand that electronic communication may carry privacy risks. Our office will make reasonable efforts to protect patient information, but patients should avoid sending highly sensitive medical information through unsecured channels unless specifically instructed.
Marketing or promotional text messages, if any, will be sent only with any consent required by applicable law, and patients may opt out of non-essential text or marketing communications where applicable. Opting out of non-essential communications does not prevent the practice from sending necessary clinical, billing, or administrative messages.
Medical Emergencies and After-Hours Care
If you experience a true medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department immediately.
For urgent but non-emergency postoperative concerns after hours, call our office and follow the prompts to reach the on-call surgeon or covering provider. We will respond as quickly as possible.
After-hours communication is intended for urgent clinical issues. Routine questions, scheduling requests, billing questions, and non-urgent concerns should be directed to the office during regular business hours.
Provider Availability and Coverage
The physicians and providers at Saman Facial Plastic Surgery, PLLC, including Dr. Saman, Dr. Ahmedli, or other associate physicians and providers of the practice, may lecture, teach, attend conferences, or travel for professional obligations. As a result, your treating physician or provider may not always be available in person at the time you need to be seen.
The physicians and providers of the practice provide coverage for one another. When your treating physician or provider is out of town or otherwise unavailable, you may be evaluated, including in person, by Dr. Saman, Dr. Ahmedli, another associate physician or provider of the practice, by televisit with your treating physician or provider, or by a provider designated by our office. In an emergency, you may be directed to an emergency department or emergency services. These terms may also be described in a separately signed Provider Availability and Coverage Acknowledgment.
Smoking, Vaping, and Nicotine Policy
Smoking, vaping, and nicotine use are not permitted anywhere within the practice.
For surgical patients, nicotine use can significantly impair healing and increase the risk of complications, including skin loss, infection, poor scarring, delayed healing, and unsatisfactory results. Patients must disclose all nicotine use, including cigarettes, vaping, nicotine gum, patches, pouches, and other nicotine products.
Failure to disclose nicotine use or failure to follow nicotine restrictions may result in postponement or cancellation of surgery and may affect refund eligibility under the surgical cancellation policy, to the extent permitted by law.
Scheduling and Availability
Saman Facial Plastic Surgery is a small, focused practice, and intentionally so. Our physicians and providers limit surgical and procedural volume by design, because that limitation is what allows each patient to receive the level of care and attention they deserve.
Because of this, we are typically scheduled several months ahead. We understand that can feel like a long time when you are eager to move forward, and we appreciate your patience. In our experience, that waiting period often becomes genuinely useful, a chance to reflect, gather questions, obtain records when needed, and arrive at your consultation feeling grounded and prepared.
Facial aesthetic surgery is never an urgent decision, and we would never want you to feel rushed into one. When your appointment does arrive, you will have our complete attention. In the meantime, our team can answer administrative questions and help patients prepare for the consultation.
Scheduling an appointment does not guarantee candidacy for surgery or treatment.
Appointments
Please arrive early for your appointment:
- New patients: 15 minutes early.
- Returning patients: 10 minutes early.
Patients should bring relevant medical records, prior operative reports, medication lists, allergy information, and photographs when applicable.
Late Arrival, Cancellation, and No-Show Policy
Appointment times are reserved specifically for each patient.
Patients who arrive more than 15 minutes late may be asked to reschedule. If you are running late, please call the office as soon as possible. We will try to accommodate you when possible, but we cannot guarantee that the appointment can proceed.
Patients who do not arrive and do not contact us will be considered a no-show.
No-show and late cancellation fees may be charged to the card on file as outlined in the applicable consultation, non-surgical, or surgical policy, to the extent permitted by law.
Surgical cancellations and surgical no-shows are governed by the Surgical Cancellation and Refund Policy.
Minor Patients and Parental Consent
Patients under the age of 18 generally require written consent from a parent or legal guardian for consultations, procedures, and treatments, unless otherwise required by law.
A parent or legal guardian must be present at the consultation appointment. Valid government-issued photo identification may be required from the consenting parent or guardian.
Cosmetic surgery on minor patients is considered only after careful evaluation and at the professional judgment of the treating physician or provider. Parental consent does not guarantee candidacy for any procedure.
Accompanying Persons
Patients may bring one support person to the consultation.
Additional guests may not be permitted in the clinical examination portion of the visit. The examination and medical discussion are reserved for a focused and private conversation between the patient and physician or provider.
Support persons are not permitted in the operating room, procedure room, sterile areas, or recovery areas unless specifically authorized by the practice.
Photography, video recording, or audio recording by patients or guests is not permitted within clinical, surgical, or office areas without prior written authorization or as otherwise required by law. Failure to comply with this office policy may result in the visit being ended or rescheduled.
Patient Conduct
We are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and professional environment for patients, staff, physicians, providers, and guests.
Patients and guests are expected to treat all members of the team with courtesy and respect.
Saman Facial Plastic Surgery, PLLC may, in its professional judgment, refuse non-emergency care, reschedule care, or discharge a patient from the practice in the event of abusive, threatening, harassing, discriminatory, or disruptive behavior, or if a patient appears to be under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other substances in a way that may compromise safety or care.
If the practice-patient relationship is terminated, the practice will comply with applicable legal and ethical obligations, including reasonable notice when required, access to medical records, and emergency coverage during any applicable transition period.
Discharge from the practice does not affect a patient’s right to obtain medical records as provided by law.
Patient Feedback and Concerns
We want every patient to have a positive experience, and we take concerns seriously.
If you are unhappy with any part of your care or experience, we encourage you to contact our office directly so we can understand and address it. Many concerns can be resolved quickly when raised with us first.
Patients may share feedback by phone, email, or patient portal, and a member of our team will follow up as appropriate.
Raising a concern with the practice does not limit any rights a patient may have under applicable law.
Our Philosophy of Improvement
Our goal has always been a face that simply looks like you, refreshed, balanced, and entirely yourself. Not a result that announces itself, not a transformation that invites commentary. One that allows you to stop thinking about your appearance altogether and simply live in it.
We do not chase perfection, and we gently encourage our patients not to either. Perfection shifts with lighting, angles, mood, and time. A result measured against an imagined ideal rarely leads to the peace of mind that most patients are genuinely seeking.
What we do pursue, with great care, is meaningful and lasting improvement, in proportion, in harmony, in how your face reads as a whole. Our patients tend to be people who wanted to look like themselves, only better. If that resonates with you, we think you will be very happy here.
Outcomes Disclaimer
Cosmetic and reconstructive facial procedures involve inherent uncertainty. No specific surgical, aesthetic, functional, or psychological result can be promised or guaranteed.
Outcomes depend on many factors, including:
- Individual anatomy.
- Skin quality.
- Tissue strength.
- Healing biology.
- Age.
- Prior surgery.
- Trauma history.
- Medical conditions.
- Medications and supplements.
- Smoking, vaping, or nicotine exposure.
- Weight changes.
- Sun exposure.
- Lifestyle factors.
- Compliance with preoperative and postoperative instructions.
Before-and-after photographs shown by the practice represent individual patient outcomes. They do not guarantee, predict, or imply the same or similar result for any other patient.
Patients are encouraged to discuss goals, concerns, limitations, and realistic expectations during consultation.
Financial Policy
Fees
All fees for cosmetic procedures must be paid in full before treatment or surgery unless otherwise agreed in writing and to the extent permitted by law.
Accepted payment methods may include cash, cashier’s check, money order, credit card, debit card, wire transfer, or approved third-party financing. Personal checks are not accepted.
All checks and cashier’s checks must be made payable to Saman Facial Plastic Surgery, PLLC. Checks payable to an individual physician or provider cannot be accepted.
Wire transfer funds must be received and cleared before treatment or surgery. The patient is responsible for any sending, receiving, or intermediary bank fees associated with a wire transfer.
Certain in-office procedures may include a materials or supply fee. Any such fee will be disclosed in writing before the procedure.
Anesthesia fees may be billed separately by the anesthesiologist or anesthesia group.
Credit Card Payments
Credit card payments may be subject to a clearly disclosed credit card surcharge where permitted by law.
If a credit card surcharge applies, the total credit card price will be clearly disclosed before payment is collected. Any surcharge will not exceed the amount permitted by New York law and will not exceed the actual credit card processing cost charged to the practice.
Debit card payments are not treated as credit card payments for surcharge purposes.
Third-Party Financing
Third-party financing, including PatientFi, CareCredit, or similar services, is subject to the financing company’s approval, terms, conditions, and fees.
The practice is not responsible for financing denials, financing terms, interest rates, promotional period rules, late fees, credit reporting, or other financing company policies.
Any fees associated with financing will be handled in accordance with applicable law and the financing company’s rules.
Third-Party Payers
If a person other than the patient pays for any portion of care, that person must complete a written payment authorization identifying the patient and the amount authorized. The practice will charge only the amounts that the cardholder or payer has authorized in writing. This applies to consultations, deposits, treatment fees, surgical fees, balances, products, and other amounts owed.
The person making payment does not automatically receive access to the patient’s medical information, treatment details, records, photographs, billing details, or scheduling information unless the patient has authorized such disclosure in writing and the disclosure is permitted by law.
Cosmetic Surgery Payments
Payment for cosmetic surgery is due according to the written surgical quote and scheduling agreement.
Surgical costs may include:
- Surgeon professional fee.
- Operating room or facility fee.
- Anesthesia fee when applicable.
- Laboratory testing when required.
- Pathology or radiology when indicated.
- Special supplies, implants, graft materials, garments, medications, or devices when required.
Not all costs are included in every procedure. Patients should review their written quote carefully.
Insurance
Saman Facial Plastic Surgery, PLLC is a private, fee-for-service practice. We do not submit or process insurance claims for cosmetic procedures.
Patients are responsible for all professional, facility, anesthesia, and related fees unless otherwise stated in writing.
Disputed Charges
If a patient or responsible party disputes a credit card charge, the practice may require all future payments to be made by cashier’s check, money order, cash, debit card, or another approved non-credit-card method, to the extent permitted by law.
This policy applies regardless of the outcome of the dispute.
Refunds and Processing Fees
Refunds are handled according to the applicable cancellation, surgical, non-surgical, financing, or product policy.
Refunds initiated at the patient’s request may be reduced by non-refundable third-party processing fees, financing fees, or payment processor fees to the extent permitted by law.
Refunds required because of a practice billing error will not be reduced by a processing fee.
If payment was made through a third-party financing company, refunds may need to be processed through that company according to its rules. The practice is not responsible for delays caused by a financing company or by a patient’s failure to complete required financing-company steps.
Consultation Fees
Consultation fees are collected at the time of scheduling.
In-Person Consultations
- Dr. Saman: $500.
- Dr. Ahmedli: $300.
- Other associate physicians and providers of the practice: fees vary and will be disclosed at the time of scheduling.
Virtual Consultations
- Dr. Saman: $300.
- Dr. Ahmedli: $100.
- Other associate physicians and providers of the practice: fees vary and will be disclosed at the time of scheduling.
The consultation fee covers a one-time consultation. Follow-up questions related to that consultation may be submitted through the patient portal.
A repeat consultation for the same concern may be billed at 50 percent of the original consultation fee.
Consultation fees are non-refundable once the consultation has taken place, to the extent permitted by law. The consultation fee is earned in full once the consultation occurs and remains non-refundable even if the physician or provider determines that the patient is not a candidate for, or elects not to perform, the requested procedure. A consultation is an evaluation and does not guarantee candidacy for surgery or treatment.
Virtual consultations do not include computer imaging or surgical simulations.
If a patient schedules a consultation with one physician or provider but is seen by another physician or provider of the practice, the consultation fee corresponds to the physician or provider who actually conducts the consultation. If the patient is redirected to another physician or provider before the consultation takes place, the fee is adjusted to that physician’s or provider’s rate, and any difference is refunded or collected accordingly. If the consultation with the originally scheduled physician or provider has already taken place, that fee is earned, and any consultation with another physician or provider is a separate consultation billed at that physician’s or provider’s rate, which may be reduced or waived at the discretion of the practice in the case of a direct referral.
Consultation Cancellation and No-Show Policy
Because consultation availability is limited:
- Cancellations or rescheduling requests made with less than 2 business days’ notice may incur a $100 late cancellation fee.
- Failure to attend a consultation without notice may incur a $100 no-show fee.
- One complimentary reschedule may be granted if notice is provided at least 2 business days in advance.
Late cancellation and no-show fees may be charged to the card on file, to the extent permitted by law.
Non-Surgical Appointment Deposits
Patients scheduling injection, laser, skin care, or aesthetician appointments may be required to leave a scheduling deposit.
Deposits are refundable if the appointment is canceled or rescheduled at least 2 business days in advance.
Deposits may be forfeited for late cancellations, late rescheduling, or no-shows, to the extent permitted by law.
Forfeited deposits are retained by the practice.
Non-Surgical Treatment Results, Touch-Ups, and Refunds
Non-surgical treatments, including neurotoxin, dermal filler, laser, and skin care treatments, involve products that are used at the time of treatment. Fees for these treatments and products are non-refundable once the treatment has been administered, to the extent permitted by law.
For neurotoxin treatments, a complimentary assessment is available within 2 weeks of treatment. If the assessment shows that the area was under-dosed, a touch-up to address the under-dosed area is included. Additional units or treatment beyond that touch-up are charged at standard rates.
For dermal filler, an assessment within 2 weeks is available, and any necessary adjustment or dissolving is handled clinically.
Known side effects and temporary complications are managed clinically as part of your care. Clinical management of an expected side effect or complication is care, not a refund, and does not entitle the patient to a refund of the treatment or product fee. The practice may, at its sole discretion, offer goodwill accommodations in individual cases.
Results from non-surgical treatments vary and cannot be guaranteed. No refund is provided for dissatisfaction with a properly performed treatment.
Credit Card Authorization
Providing a credit card authorizes Saman Facial Plastic Surgery, PLLC to charge the card for consultations, deposits, cancellation fees, no-show fees, treatment fees, products, balances, and other amounts owed under these policies or separately signed agreements, to the extent permitted by law.
Telephone and online payments are processed through secure payment systems.
Additional shipping or handling fees may apply when products, records, or other items are mailed at the patient’s request, where permitted by law.
Medical Clearance and Preoperative Requirements
Surgical candidacy requires that patients meet all preoperative health standards established by the surgeon, anesthesiologist, and, when applicable, the accredited facility.
Patients are responsible for:
- Obtaining required medical clearance.
- Completing required lab work or testing.
- Accurately disclosing medical history.
- Disclosing all medications, supplements, nicotine use, drug use, and allergies.
- Following all preoperative instructions.
- Following fasting instructions.
- Stopping medications or supplements only as directed.
- Arranging appropriate transportation and postoperative support.
Failure to complete preoperative requirements, failure to disclose material medical information, or failure to follow instructions may result in postponement or cancellation of surgery.
In such cases, cancellation fees, non-refundable costs, and other financial policies may apply to the extent permitted by law.
The practice is not responsible for complications arising from a patient’s failure to disclose relevant information or follow instructions.
Surgery Scheduling
A consultation with Dr. Saman, Dr. Ahmedli, or another associate physician or provider of the practice is required before surgery may be scheduled.
A surgical quote is valid for two months unless otherwise stated in writing.
A deposit is required to secure a surgical date. The deposit amount and refundability will be stated in the written surgical quote or scheduling agreement.
The remaining balance is due no later than 14 days before surgery unless otherwise stated in writing.
A surgical date may be changed one time without penalty if sufficient notice is provided and if the schedule allows. Additional date changes may be treated as a cancellation and rescheduling.
Scheduling surgery does not guarantee that surgery will proceed. Surgery may be postponed or canceled if the surgeon, anesthesiologist, provider, or facility determines that proceeding is unsafe or inappropriate.
Surgical Cancellation and Refund Policy
Patients are encouraged to be confident in their decision before scheduling surgery. Significant preparation, staffing, facility coordination, and supply planning occur well before the surgery date. Refunds decrease as the surgery date approaches, because more of these costs are committed closer to the date.
Unless otherwise stated in a signed surgical agreement, the following policy applies. In all tiers, facility, anesthesia, staffing, supply, implant, graft, special-order, and custom material costs are non-refundable to the extent they have already been incurred, committed, purchased, or reserved, and any non-refundable third-party fees and permitted payment processing fees are deducted.
Cancellation 30 or more calendar days before surgery
100 percent of the surgeon’s professional fee is refundable, less non-refundable third-party fees, permitted payment processing fees, and costs already incurred.
Cancellation 14 to 29 calendar days before surgery
50 percent of the surgeon’s professional fee is refundable, less non-refundable costs and fees.
Cancellation less than 14 calendar days before surgery, but not the day of surgery
25 percent of the surgeon’s professional fee is refundable, less non-refundable costs and fees.
Same-day cancellation, no-show, or inability to proceed due to noncompliance
If the patient cancels on the day of surgery, fails to appear, fails to follow fasting instructions, fails to arrange transportation, arrives under the influence of alcohol or substances, or is unable to proceed because of noncompliance with preoperative requirements, no portion of the surgeon’s professional fee and no portion of the operating room or facility fee is refundable.
Cancellation for medical or safety reasons
If surgery is canceled or postponed because the surgeon, anesthesiologist, provider, or facility determines that proceeding is unsafe or inappropriate, the practice will review refund eligibility based on the reason for cancellation, timing, and costs already incurred.
Changes to a scheduled surgical plan
If a patient removes or changes a procedure within a previously scheduled surgical plan, the removed procedure is treated as a cancellation of that procedure under the timing tiers above. Operating room and facility time, anesthesia, staffing, special-order items, and custom materials committed for the removed procedure remain non-refundable to the extent already incurred, committed, purchased, or reserved. Any multi-procedure or combined pricing is forfeited, and the remaining procedures are billed at standard individual rates. The deposit associated with the removed procedure is handled according to the deposit terms in the surgical quote.
Custom materials
Custom or special-order materials are non-refundable once ordered or obtained. This may include implants, cadaveric cartilage, graft materials, specialized devices, garments, medications, or other patient-specific materials.
Revision Policy
Revision surgery is a serious and thoughtful decision. We take patient outcomes seriously, but no cosmetic or reconstructive procedure can be guaranteed.
Concerns after surgery are evaluated individually. A concern may be considered for revision evaluation within three years of the original surgery date. This three-year window does not guarantee revision surgery, free surgery, or a specific outcome.
Revision surgery may be considered when the treating surgeon or provider determines that there is a complication, functional issue, or unintended outcome reasonably related to the original surgery.
Revision surgery is generally not considered until sufficient healing has occurred. For many facial procedures, this may require 6 to 12 months or longer depending on the procedure, tissue quality, swelling, scarring, and individual healing.
What may qualify as revision surgery
Revision surgery may be considered when the treating surgeon or provider determines that there is:
- A complication related to the original procedure.
- A functional concern related to the original procedure.
- A significant unintended surgical outcome.
- A concern that remains after appropriate healing and observation.
When revision surgery is recommended by the treating surgeon or provider, the surgeon’s professional fee may be reduced or waived at the surgeon’s discretion. Facility, anesthesia, supply, implant, graft, pathology, medication, and other third-party costs remain the patient’s responsibility unless otherwise stated in writing.
What does not qualify as revision surgery
The revision policy does not apply to:
- Normal aging.
- Natural tissue relaxation over time.
- Weight gain or weight loss.
- Pregnancy-related changes.
- Trauma or injury after surgery.
- Illness or medical changes after surgery.
- Smoking, vaping, nicotine exposure, or substance use.
- Failure to follow preoperative or postoperative instructions.
- Failure to attend follow-up appointments.
- New aesthetic preferences.
- Desire for a different style or stronger change.
- Concerns based primarily on lighting, angle, photography, social media filters, or magnified self-analysis.
- Procedures intentionally staged from the beginning.
- Additional cosmetic refinement after a successful result.
Additional refinement or Stage II procedures
An additional refinement, enhancement, or Stage II procedure is different from revision surgery. A Stage II procedure may be considered when the original goals were substantially met, healing was appropriate, and the patient desires further aesthetic refinement. Stage II procedures are elective and are treated as new procedures subject to standard fees.
After three years
After three years, the face and nose continue to change due to time, aging, tissue remodeling, lifestyle, illness, trauma, and natural anatomy. Concerns raised more than three years after surgery are generally evaluated as new surgical concerns rather than revisions.
All revision and refinement decisions are made in the professional judgment of Dr. Saman, Dr. Ahmedli, or other associate physicians and providers of the practice after examination, review of records, and appropriate healing.
Social Media, Reviews, and Patient-Generated Content
Patients may share their own experiences on social media, review platforms, or other public forums.
Patients are asked not to photograph, record, or post images or videos that include staff, physicians, providers, other patients, or the interior of the facility without prior written permission.
Patients who share their own clinical photographs, videos, descriptions of care, opinions, or surgical outcome commentary do so at their own discretion and assume responsibility for that content.
Saman Facial Plastic Surgery, PLLC is not responsible for patient-generated content shared on any platform, including patient-posted before-and-after photographs, descriptions of care, opinions, or surgical outcome commentary.
Tagging or referencing the practice does not imply endorsement by Saman Facial Plastic Surgery, PLLC or its physicians, providers, or staff.
From time to time, the practice may enter into separate written arrangements involving media, education, marketing, social media, collaboration, or content creation. Any such arrangement must be approved in writing by the practice and is separate from a patient’s medical care, informed consent, photography authorization, and financial obligations.
The practice does not provide any discount, refund, fee reduction, preferential care, or other benefit in exchange for a positive review or for withholding a negative review.
Photography and Media Policy
Clinical photographs and videos may be taken for medical documentation, treatment planning, surgical planning, postoperative comparison, education, quality review, and, when separately authorized, marketing or social media use.
Clinical photographs that are used for medical documentation are part of the patient’s medical information and are handled in accordance with applicable privacy and medical record laws.
Patients may request access to medical records in accordance with applicable law. Certain requests may be subject to legal limitations, privacy protections, technical limitations, or applicable copying and processing rules.
Photographs, videos, and media used for marketing, advertising, website, social media, education, publication, or presentation purposes require separate written authorization. Patients may decline marketing authorization without affecting their care.
Consent for photography as part of medical care is separate from consent for marketing, social media, advertising, publication, presentation, or other public use.
Intraoperative Photography and Video
Intraoperative photographs or videos are some times be taken by the operating physician or provider for technical review, education, quality improvement, surgical planning, postoperative comparison, or review of surgical technique.
Intraoperative images taken for the operating physician’s or provider’s technical review are not routinely maintained as part of the patient’s medical chart, are not routinely indexed or catalogued by patient name or date of surgery, and may be deleted after review.
Patients should understand that intraoperative photographs and videos may show surgical anatomy, tissues, grafts, implants, incisions, instruments, or operative steps. These images are different from standard clinical before-and-after photographs.
Medical Record Retention and Transfer
Patient medical records are retained in accordance with applicable New York State law, federal law, and professional standards.
In general, New York law requires medical records to be retained for a minimum period, and records involving minors may be subject to longer retention requirements. The practice retains records in accordance with applicable legal and professional obligations.
Patients and other legally qualified persons have the right to request access to medical records as provided by law.
Requests must be submitted in writing. The practice will process record requests within the timeframe required by law.
Permitted copying, reproduction, postage, or processing fees may apply in accordance with applicable law. Patients will not be denied access to records solely because of inability to pay where prohibited by law.
To request transfer of records to another provider, patients should submit a written authorization identifying the records requested and the recipient.
Products, Skin Care, and Retail Items
Products, skin care items, supplements, garments, and retail items may be final sale once opened, used, dispensed, shipped, or removed from the office, unless defective or otherwise required by law.
Patients should review product instructions, allergies, and contraindications before use.
The practice is not responsible for adverse reactions caused by failure to follow instructions, undisclosed allergies, use with outside products, or use contrary to medical advice.
Prescriptions, Medications, and Supplements
Patients must disclose all medications, supplements, vitamins, herbs, recreational substances, and allergies before surgery or treatment.
Certain medications and supplements may increase bleeding, bruising, anesthesia risk, or healing problems.
Patients should not start or stop prescription medications without guidance from the prescribing physician and surgical team.
The practice may decline to proceed with treatment or surgery if medication, supplement, or substance use creates safety concerns.
Labs, Pathology, Imaging, and Outside Services
Certain procedures may require lab testing, pathology, imaging, medical clearance, prescriptions, garments, or outside medical services.
These services may be billed separately by outside providers, laboratories, imaging centers, pharmacies, anesthesiologists, pathologists, or facilities.
The patient is responsible for outside charges unless otherwise stated in writing.
Anesthesia
Some procedures require anesthesia provided by a separate anesthesiologist or anesthesia group.
Anesthesia fees, policies, consent forms, cancellations, and billing may be separate from the surgeon’s professional fee.
The anesthesiologist has independent medical authority to determine whether anesthesia is safe and appropriate on the day of surgery.
If anesthesia is canceled or declined for safety reasons, the surgical cancellation policy and any applicable anesthesia policies will apply.
Right to Decline or Postpone Care
Saman Facial Plastic Surgery, PLLC may, in the professional judgment of Dr. Saman, Dr. Ahmedli, or other associate physicians and providers of the practice, decline, postpone, or cancel non-emergency care when treatment is not medically appropriate, surgically appropriate, safe, ethical, or aligned with realistic expectations.
Reasons may include, but are not limited to:
- Medical risk.
- Anesthesia risk.
- Incomplete clearance.
- Unrealistic expectations.
- Inability to agree on a surgical plan.
- Failure to follow instructions.
- Safety concerns.
- Breakdown of trust in the physician-patient relationship.
- Abusive or disruptive behavior.
When appropriate, the practice will provide guidance regarding next steps, follow-up, or transfer of records.
Acknowledgment
By scheduling or receiving care at Saman Facial Plastic Surgery, PLLC, the patient acknowledges that they have had an opportunity to review these office policies and ask questions.
These policies may be updated from time to time. The policies in effect at the time of consultation, treatment, surgery, payment, cancellation, refund request, postoperative care, or other relevant event may apply, unless otherwise stated in a separately signed agreement.
These policies do not replace individualized medical advice, informed consent, surgical consent, anesthesia consent, facility consent, financial agreements, privacy notices, media authorizations, or any other procedure-specific forms.
Patients may be asked to separately sign acknowledgments, consents, financial agreements, or procedure-specific documents before consultation, treatment, surgery, or release of records or media.
