1. Understanding the concept of “guarantee” in medicine
In all medical fields — from aesthetic surgery and dental care to ophthalmology, fertility treatment, and regenerative medicine — doctors operate under an obligation of means, not an obligation of result. This means that a practitioner commits to using all reasonable and recognized medical methods, applying professional skill and diligence according to scientific standards and best practices, to ensure patient safety and appropriate follow-up — but can never guarantee a specific or aesthetic outcome.
International framework: the “obligation of means” principle applies in every country and to every medical procedure. Results depend on each patient’s biology, healing response, compliance with medical advice, and natural variability in recovery.
Therefore, in medicine, the word “guarantee” refers to the quality of the means implemented and the continuity of care, not to a promise of outcome. This applies across all disciplines, including surgical, dental, ophthalmologic, reproductive, and regenerative procedures.
2. Possible situations after a medical treatment
Following any medical or surgical treatment (operation, dental procedure, IVF cycle, ophthalmologic correction, stem cell therapy, etc.), the patient’s post-treatment course may fall into one of several categories. Understanding these helps define the appropriate follow-up or next steps.
2.1. Normal evolution
- Recovery and tissue adaptation phase (swelling, bruising, sensitivity, temporary dryness after LASIK, inflammation, etc.).
- Final result typically stabilizes over weeks to several months (e.g., 3–12 months in surgery, 9–12 months in hair transplantation, several cycles in IVF).
- Regular check-ups and photo follow-ups to objectively monitor progress.
During this period, patience and strict adherence to pre- and post-treatment recommendations are essential to achieving the best outcome.
2.2. Medical complication or side effect
- Examples (non-exhaustive): anesthesia reactions, postoperative bleeding, infection, delayed healing, implant rejection, inflammatory reactions, or treatment failure (e.g., IVF implantation failure).
- Timing: usually during or shortly after the procedure, with direct management by the medical team on-site.
- Recommended steps: immediate notification to the clinic, clinical evaluation, adjustment of treatment, and additional intervention if required.
Such events are recognized as medical risks — rare but possible even under optimal conditions. They remain part of the practitioner’s duty of care and are handled according to clinical protocols.
2.3. Unsatisfactory result
A patient’s perception of dissatisfaction can stem from different factors:
- Objectively insufficient result – measurable difference compared to the expected outcome; may justify reassessment or revision based on medical evaluation.
- Subjective dissatisfaction – personal aesthetic preference or perception, which may not correspond to a medical insufficiency.
Standard procedure includes: review of the medical file, comparison of pre/post photos, clinical assessment, discussion of initial objectives, and if appropriate, a proportional medical proposal.
Key takeaway: distinguishing between normal evolution, medical complication, and dissatisfaction is crucial to define the appropriate follow-up — continued observation, complementary treatment, or potential revision — always within the framework of an obligation of means, not a guarantee of result.
3. In case of complication or side effect
Complications and side effects are possible risks inherent to any medical procedure, even when performed according to professional standards. These may include issues related to anesthesia, postoperative bleeding or hematoma, infection, delayed healing, inflammation, eye dryness after LASIK, dental sensitivity, or IVF implantation failure.
Medical management
- Immediate report to the clinic or treating physician.
- Clinical evaluation and adjustment of treatment according to protocols.
- When necessary, re-intervention or additional treatment.
- Strict adherence to the recommended post-treatment monitoring period before returning home.
Clinic warranty conditions
Our platform allows partner clinics to publish their own coverage conditions in the event of a medical complication:
- Possible clinic fees (operating room, hospitalization, materials).
- Clearly defined timeframes for eligibility.
- Specific terms by specialty (e.g., dentistry: usual crown warranties of 3–5 years; implants: 3–10 years or more).
- For medical devices (e.g., breast implants), an additional manufacturer warranty may apply beyond the clinic’s terms.
Patients are encouraged to request written confirmation of these conditions directly from their client account when communicating with the clinic.
Note: clinic warranties published on the platform do not represent a guarantee of results but describe the clinic’s terms of coverage in the context of the medical duty of means.
4. In case of an unsatisfactory result
Final outcomes often take time to stabilize (weeks to months depending on the procedure). Dissatisfaction may arise from an objective insufficiency (a measurable gap compared to the expected medical outcome) or a subjective perception (aesthetic preference or individual expectation).
Standard re-evaluation process
- Review of the medical record and informed consent.
- Comparison of before/after photos and clinical or remote examination.
- Analysis of the initial objectives and treatment timeline.
- If applicable, proportional proposal from the practitioner (continued follow-up, complementary treatment, or possible revision).
The decision to perform a revision procedure is at the medical discretion of the practitioner, in accordance with the clinic’s conditions and within the duty of means.
When waiting is recommended
Edema, healing processes, integration phases, or biological cycles (e.g., IVF) may require additional time before any decision or re-assessment.
When re-evaluation may be justified
When an objective insufficiency is identified, the practitioner may recommend an adjusted treatment or revision according to their protocols and clinic policy.
In the absence of medical error, the practitioner may decide that a revision is not indicated. In certain cases, an independent opinion may be requested.
5. Role of the Esthetic Planet platform
Esthetic Planet is a medical marketplace facilitating secure communication between patients and clinics. The platform does not take part in medical acts or therapeutic decisions and does not provide any guarantee of results.
Mediation and coordination
- Help clarify information and expectations between patients and clinics.
- Facilitate re-evaluation requests and secure exchange of medical files and photos.
- Provide access to clinics’ coverage conditions (fees, deadlines, exclusions).
- Encourage balanced and fair solutions that serve both parties’ interests.
Secure client account
Patients are encouraged to communicate directly through their client account with clinics to obtain:
- Written confirmation of coverage terms and deadlines.
- Details about any possible clinic fees in case of re-intervention.
- Information on clinic warranties and manufacturer warranties for medical devices.
These secure exchanges ensure clear, documented agreements — without constituting any promise of result.
In summary: the platform promotes transparency and communication quality. Medical decisions and coverage policies remain under the sole responsibility of the clinics and practitioners, in accordance with the obligation of means, never as a guarantee of results.
7. Re-evaluation timeframe and process
A re-evaluation may be considered within a reference period generally set at nine (9) months after the procedure, depending on the specialty and the clinic’s published conditions.
Prerequisites
- Proper follow-up (checkups, dated before/after photos).
- Reasonable stabilization of the result based on the type of treatment.
- Transmission of all documents through the client account.
Medical assessment
- Review of the medical file and clinical or remote examination.
- Classification of the case: normal evolution, medical complication, objective insufficiency, or subjective dissatisfaction.
- Medical decision regarding the next steps.
Possible outcomes
- Continued monitoring and additional time for healing.
- Complementary or corrective treatment.
- Touch-up procedure based on the practitioner’s medical judgment and the clinic’s terms (fees, deadlines, exclusions).
Note: After the reference period, any further changes are generally considered as part of normal biological evolution, a new indication, or a new treatment. Exact conditions depend on each clinic’s internal policy.
8. Summary
- Medicine, in every specialty, is based on an obligation of means — never a guarantee of result.
- Post-treatment situations fall into three categories: normal evolution, medical complication, or perceived dissatisfaction.
- Coverage conditions (fees, deadlines, exclusions) can be published by clinics; always request written confirmation through your client account.
- The Esthetic Planet platform serves as a mediation and coordination tool, without replacing the medical relationship.
- The success of any re-evaluation or touch-up depends on shared responsibilities between practitioner and patient.
- The re-evaluation period is generally 9 months, depending on the specialty and clinic’s terms.
For any questions regarding your specific case, use your client account to communicate directly with the clinic and obtain clear, written, and traceable information.