What is the regret rate for medical procedures? Understanding the factors

September 24, 2025 •

5 min read

While no universal statistic exists, systematic reviews suggest that the average prevalence of self-reported decision regret in surgical patients is around 14.4%. The question of what is the regret rate for medical procedures? is a complex one, with the rate varying significantly based on the type of procedure, patient expectations, and the decision-making process itself.

Quick Summary

The rate of patient regret for medical procedures is not a single number, but a complex issue influenced by many variables. It ranges widely depending on the procedure and personal factors, with some studies showing surprisingly high rates for common surgeries and low rates for others, such as gender-affirming surgery.

Key Points

Regret Varies Widely: The rate of regret is not a single statistic but varies significantly by procedure, ranging from under 1% for gender-affirming surgery to higher rates for some elective procedures.
Decisional Conflict is a Key Predictor: Patients with higher levels of decisional conflict—uncertainty or indecision—are more likely to experience regret after a procedure.
Shared Decision-Making Reduces Regret: A collaborative approach where doctors and patients jointly make decisions has been shown to reduce the incidence of regret.
Unrealistic Expectations are Harmful: Overly optimistic expectations about outcomes, recovery, or lifestyle changes significantly increase the risk of post-procedural regret.
Patient Support is Critical: Strong emotional and social support can help patients navigate the decision-making process and mitigate feelings of remorse.
Process Regret vs. Outcome Regret: Regret can stem from dissatisfaction with the decision-making process itself, not just the physical outcome of the procedure.
Communication is Key: Clear and transparent communication from healthcare providers is essential for minimizing regret and ensuring patients feel informed and respected.
Complications Increase Regret: Post-operative complications or unexpected results are major drivers of regret across various surgical fields.

A Closer Look at the Nuances of Medical Regret

Decision regret, a negative emotion arising from the belief that a different choice would have yielded a better outcome, is an important, though often overlooked, patient-reported outcome in healthcare. Unlike simple disappointment, regret involves self-recrimination and can significantly impact a patient's emotional well-being and quality of life. The overall regret rate for medical procedures is difficult to pinpoint with a single number because it depends heavily on the context of the decision, the nature of the procedure, and the unique circumstances of each patient.

Factors Influencing the Rate of Regret

Many factors contribute to whether a patient experiences regret after a medical procedure. These can be broadly categorized into patient-related factors, procedure-related factors, and factors related to the healthcare process.

Patient-Related Factors:

Decisional Conflict: Patients who experience a higher degree of decisional conflict—feeling uncertain or conflicted about their choices—are more likely to report higher levels of regret later on.
Expectations: Unrealistic expectations about the outcome, recovery, or impact on quality of life can set the stage for regret. This is especially true for elective or cosmetic procedures.
Mental Health: Pre-existing conditions like depression or anxiety are often correlated with higher rates of regret. A patient's mental state can profoundly influence their perception of the decision and its outcome.
Support System: The presence of a strong social and emotional support system can help patients process their decisions and mitigate feelings of regret, while a lack of support can exacerbate them.
Demographics: Some studies have found associations between regret and factors like patient age and education level, though these links can be complex and are not consistent across all research.

Procedure-Related Factors:

Outcome and Complications: A poor clinical outcome or post-operative complication is a major driver of regret. Even when a procedure is technically successful, if the patient is left with functional impairments or unexpected results, regret can occur.
Nature of the Decision: Regret rates often vary dramatically based on the type of procedure. Elective surgeries, where multiple reasonable options exist, are often associated with higher decisional conflict and, potentially, higher regret. In contrast, life-or-death decisions made under duress may be processed differently by the patient.
Irreversibility: Procedures that are permanent or difficult to reverse, such as sterilization or gender-affirming surgery, can carry a higher emotional weight and potential for regret for some individuals. However, studies show that regret rates for gender-affirming surgery, for example, are exceptionally low due to rigorous screening and informed consent processes.

Healthcare Process Factors:

Communication Quality: Poor communication between the patient and healthcare provider is a significant predictor of regret. When patients feel uninformed, unsupported, or like their values were not considered, dissatisfaction and regret are more likely to follow.
Shared Decision-Making: When healthcare professionals and patients collaborate to make decisions based on the best evidence and patient values, decisional regret is often reduced. A feeling of ownership over the decision, even if the outcome is imperfect, can be protective against regret.

The Spectrum of Regret Rates

It is inaccurate to apply a single average rate to all medical procedures, as studies reveal wide variations. For instance, research has shown:

Gender-Affirming Surgery: Remarkably low regret rates, often reported below 1%, due to comprehensive, multidisciplinary evaluation processes.
Elective Surgeries: Rates can vary widely. One study noted that regret after some breast reconstruction procedures reached as high as 47.1%. Another found that regret was reported in 37% of patients after major abdominal and thoracic operations.
Primary Care Decisions: A study in primary care found that 12% of patients reported moderate to strong regret regarding a health decision two weeks later, most often associated with higher decisional conflict.
Bariatric Surgery: Regret rates can differ based on the specific procedure. One study cited a 5.1% regret rate for Roux-En-Y gastric bypass, while another cited 19.5% for gastric banding.
Sterilization: Studies on tubal sterilization reveal a higher potential for regret, with one study reporting 28% of participants feeling regret, particularly those who were younger at the time of the procedure.

Comparison of Regret Factors in Different Medical Contexts


Factor	High-Regret Scenario Example	Low-Regret Scenario Example
Decision Type	Elective surgery with multiple complex options and competing values, e.g., prostate cancer treatment options.	Straightforward, medically necessary procedure with limited, clear options.
Informed Consent	Rushed process, information asymmetry, patient feeling pressured or uninformed.	Extended pre-procedural counseling, use of decision aids, addressing all patient questions and concerns.
Outcome	Unanticipated complications, functional impairment, or poor aesthetic result.	Result meets or exceeds realistic patient expectations.
Patient Expectations	Unrealistic hope for a perfect result, minimal recovery time, or dramatic lifestyle change.	Realistic understanding of potential outcomes, recovery, and limitations.
Communication	Patient felt disconnected from the process, values were not explored, or lacked support during the decision-making.	Shared decision-making was the standard, with open communication about preferences and values.

How to Mitigate Medical Procedure Regret

Reducing the risk of regret is a joint effort between patients and healthcare providers. Strategies to minimize regret are centered on empowering the patient and optimizing the decision-making process. Key approaches include:

Embrace Shared Decision-Making: This collaborative process ensures patients feel respected and heard. Providers should present all reasonable options, explain risks and benefits clearly, and incorporate the patient's values and preferences into the final plan.
Manage Expectations: Honest and transparent conversations about potential outcomes, recovery timelines, and realistic results are critical. For elective procedures, showing many 'before and after' examples can help anchor patient expectations in reality.
Provide Comprehensive Education: Patients should be thoroughly educated about their condition and treatment options. Educational tools, such as decision aids, can help clarify complex information and address decisional conflict.
Prioritize Communication: Maintaining open lines of communication before and after the procedure allows patients to voice concerns and helps providers address potential sources of dissatisfaction. This builds a trusting relationship that can buffer against regret.
Offer Mental Health Support: For patients with known anxiety or depression, or for high-stakes procedures, providing access to mental health support can help them cope with the emotional weight of their decision.
Encourage Second Opinions: In complex or preference-sensitive cases, encouraging a patient to seek another opinion can increase their confidence in the final decision, whether it aligns with the initial recommendation or not.

Conclusion

There is no single answer to the question, "What is the regret rate for medical procedures?" Regret is a deeply personal and complex emotion influenced by a wide array of factors, from patient-specific psychology to the nature of the procedure and the quality of the healthcare interaction. While some procedures may inherently carry a higher risk of regret due to their complexity or optionality, effective communication, realistic expectation management, and a commitment to shared decision-making can significantly minimize the risk of patient remorse. Understanding these dynamics is crucial for both healthcare providers and patients aiming for the best possible outcome—not just physically, but emotionally as well. For more on the importance of patient experience, see the article on patient satisfaction from the National Institutes of Health: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6739681/.

Frequently Asked Questions

There is no single, reliable average rate for all procedures because regret depends on many factors, including the procedure type, patient expectations, and the decision-making process. Some studies on specific surgical patients have found an average self-reported regret rate of around 14.4%, but this figure varies widely.

Regret rates vary by procedure and study. For instance, some elective procedures, such as specific types of breast reconstruction or bariatric surgery, have been shown to have higher rates of regret in some cohorts. High rates of decisional conflict are often associated with higher regret.

You can take steps to minimize the risk of regret. Key strategies include engaging in shared decision-making with your doctor, managing your expectations, thoroughly understanding all your options, and addressing any decisional conflict or uncertainty you feel beforehand.

Disappointment is a feeling that the outcome fell short of expectations, but regret involves self-recrimination and the belief that a different choice would have led to a better result. Regret is often tied to the feeling of personal responsibility for the decision made.

Shared decision-making empowers you by involving you in the process. When your preferences and values are considered alongside medical evidence, you are more likely to feel ownership of the final decision, which can reduce the likelihood and intensity of regret, even if the outcome is not perfect.

Elective surgeries, especially those with multiple reasonable treatment options, can be associated with higher decisional conflict and potentially higher regret. This is because the optimal choice often depends on an individual patient's personal values and preferences.

Effective and transparent communication with your healthcare provider is crucial. When you feel fully informed and your doctor has listened to your concerns, you are less likely to experience regret, even if the outcome is not ideal. Poor communication is a significant risk factor for dissatisfaction and regret.

Emotional and social support from family, friends, or a therapist can be vital. It helps you process the complex emotions surrounding a significant medical decision and can act as a buffer against feelings of regret, particularly in cases involving high-stakes procedures or poor outcomes.