PIP Implants

In the past few weeks all women with implants have watched with horror the PIP Implant issue unfold.

The Health Secretary Andrew Lansley has quoted that there is a 1% risk of rupture of these implants for the 40,000 UK women who have them. In France however, this figure is 3.6%.

The MHRA have said that there have been no cancers found in the UK from the use of these implants. In France some have been reported but there is doubt upon the actual link. So far, one lady has lost her life in 2011 following Anaplastic Large Cell (ALCL) Cancer.

The founder of the faulty implant firm Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) has said that France's recommendation for women to have them removed was "criminal".

The World Health Organisation (WHO) intervened on Tuesday urging women with PIP implants to seek medical advice if they have concerns.

If you have had implants done in the UK on the NHS they will (apparently) send you a letter, but you can get information for free from your GP Surgery. If you had your implants privately you should start by contacting the hospital/clinic where you had your procedure.

If your hospital/clinic no longer exists or will not replace your implants then the NHS will remove but not replace and will do so only if there is clinical necessity.

Companies who will replace PIP Implants free of charge are; BMI Healthcare, Nuffield Health and Spire (formerly BUPA)

The Royal College of Surgeons, British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, Association of Breast Surgeons, British Association of Aesthetic and Reconstructive Surgeons have all towed the party line saying that patients should "expect" to have the implants removed upon request and clinics have an "ethical and moral duty of care" to offer these patients treatment without charge.

I think this shows how important it is that when you have surgery you check whether your surgeon is a member of one of these associations and not to choose surgery based upon price alone, aftercare is a very important factor.

I feel lucky that both of my breast augmentation procedures were done with BUPA/Spire, I know a few people who are very worried and one person who has had many problems following faulty implants with one of the companies who are stating that they will not replace the PIP Implants.

I wish anyone with PIP Implants well, and hope that you can have them removed and replaced as quickly as possible.

I have tried to keep my blog factual for many reasons, I have worked for quite a few of the larger Cosmetic Surgery providers and know that even if they have not been ethical, I know that I always have been.

Jen x

www.prettymachine.co.uk