AFSSAPS results published last Friday

I have had a letter, advising me that PIPs have been through more testing, and the results were published last Friday.
"....there is no link between PIP implants and genotoxicity (a cause of cancer) Women with PIPs should go for ultrasound of breast and lymph nodes every 6 mnths. Any sign of leakage, both implants should be removed. Only in some cases shuld the lymph nodes be removed , as this comes with other complications. After PIPs have been removed, women should attend an appointment with a year of replacement surgery to have them thoroughly checked. PIP implant ladies SHOULD NOT BREAST FEED!!! ....."

Tamz wrote: PIP implant ladies SHOULD NOT BREAST FEED!!! ....."

And so will the MHRA make sure that the clinics inform ALL the women who've been given PIPs get this information I wonder??

I see that the summary on their website makes NO reference to this fact, but only focuses on how the French report supports their own initial tests: "women in the UK with these implants can be reassured as a result of these finding"

http://www.mhra.gov.uk/NewsCentre/Pressreleases/CON114614

The MHRA are a complete disgrace ...

Thanks for posting Temz, and all the best for your own re-op xx

I feel desperately sorry for all the women out there who have no clue that PIPs have been recalled and information for women with PIPs to be scanned every 6 months as these implants are KNOWN to be prone to rupture! And now to not have have the information regarding breast feeding!!!!

You're right Annie, the MHRA are a disgrace and so are the clinics who implanted PIPs into these women, took their money and then washed their hands of them! They should have a duty of care to contact each and every woman who has PIPs and give them all the information they are entitled to know about PIPs and what the future means for them now.

Thanks so much for passing the info on Tamz. xx

Hi Tamz,

just noticed in your profile that you had a rupture. Would like to ask you some questions regarding this but you don't have answer if you don't want to talk about it.
Do you know how it happened?
Have the old ones been removed already?
Was there any leaking?
How have you noticed it / did it hurt when it happened?

I've had my BA (Natrelle, soft touch, 275cc) and rupture one of the things that held me back for a while but then i thought the % of ruptures relatively low so it's worth taking the risk.

Look forward to hearing from you

Hi Nessa. I still have my PIPs - having them out on tuesday - petrified as each new day closer begins. Noticed lumps in my armpits, hun. Had scan at the breast clinic, revealing silicone in my lymph nodes. Contacted my clinic, been arranging to have them out since then...been going on since January! Yes, Ive had pain, numbness, tingling, stinging sensations and tenderness in my armpits - but I think this may be due to them being PIPs. I have paid for Natrelles...but they dont know til they open me up on Tuesday if I can have them in or not - depends how much damage has been done by the PIPs. Think you are quite safe with the Natrelles, PIPs are dangerously likely to rupture (unbeknown to me at the time) Most implants (except the dreaded PIPs have a 10 year plus guarantee. I hope you are happy with your Natrelles...Ive been told my Natrelles come with a lifetime guarantee, except for capsular contracture for 3 years, which I am currently complaining about and trying to up it to 5 years..which I paid extra for initially for my PIPs. Who did you have them with?
Annie, Cookie.... The way PIPs women have been...and still are being treated, is a complete disgrace. Each and every woman should have been contacted. More people need to be told - imagine finding all this out after breast feeding your child. I was lucky to have bottle fed my 2 year old, 9 months after having my PIPs, or I would be concerned for her too. The MHRA should definately make all clinics make their PIPs ladies aware. I would not have known, had I not found my lumps. xx

Can anyone advise me please..I had breast augmentation in 2003 (PIP implants) and have recently received a letter from my surgeon indicating the issues surrounding them and asking me to make an appointment at the clinic (non chargeable) and if necessary an ultrasound (chargeable). I have emailed the MHRSA for some advice but have not heard back from them. Does anyone know of a breast screening specialist in the London/North London area (that is not connected to plastic surgery) as I feel like I would like an impartial screening? What is the situation legally if they need to be removed..is it done at the expense of the individual or can we get compensation/replacement augmentation from the surgeon that operated or the manufacturer? How do we know if we have a different type of implant that several years down the line the same situation might arise? I breast fed my son over 2 years ago, only for a few weeks as he was tongue tied and it was not very successful, but I am now petrified that I may have harmed him. What are the implications to a child? I would appreciate any advice as don't know were to turn and feel very scared..

Welcome to BJSF VV, I'm sorry you found your way here under such circustances though

OK firstly, I have to say, I am thrilled to read you have actually been contacted by your surgeon and informed of the problems regarding PIP implants - May I ask who the surgeon/clinic is hun? as this is a first sweetness, so far on this forum, we have heard on no-one being informed by their surgeon/clinic, they have had to find this information for themselves.

Now, it's possible if you visit your GP, you may be able to be referred to have a free scan done to ensure the implant is intact. Explain to the GP that BAAPs (the British association of plastic surgeons) have recommended a scan for all women with PIPs

This quote is from the BAAPs website, maybe printing the page and giving it to your GP may help.

The BAAPS, the not-for-profit organisation established for the
advancement of education and practice of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery for
public benefit, have previously issued a call for all women who have
this type of implants to undergo an ultrasound scan in the next six
months, to determine whether there is any rupture or weakening.

Scource HERE

Also having just read through the AFSSAPS report which was released on the 14/04/2011 there is no mention of any risk from breast feeding

You can read the latest report HERE

As for paying for the replacement hun, unfortunately, the cost of this will be yours, you may find some offering a free implant discount to help ladies like yourself in this position, but please do your research sweetheart and ensure you're getting the best from your chosen surgeon.

The legalities are still very much up in the air right now and so far there have been no claims brought forward, in saying that, it would be wise to contact a solicitor for further legal advice.

I wish you lots of luck sweetheart you'll get plenty of support here and if you need any help at all, please just ask, if we're able to help, we will.

Thank you for getting back to me so promptly and for all the helpful info. My Surgeon was Jan Stanek, from Surgical Aesthetics, previously based in Harley St. and now round the corner on Wimpole St. He was highly recommended to me by a friend back in 2003 but became quite famous more recently for appearing on 10 years younger. One of the things he explained to me at the time about the PIP implants and gave me an information pamphlet was that they would not leak like previous implants and could actually be sliced in half without causing leakage. I was adamant at that time (before I had a partner or child) that I would want to breast feed when the time was right and he assured me that there would not be a problem. It wasn't successful for one reason or another but that's another story. I may contact my GP but given the information and how worried I am I don't want to have to wait for an appointment so will seek assistance privately. Would you happen to know of a breast screening specialist in the London/North London area as I would like to get some impartial advice and a full screening prior to my appointment with my surgeon? I have googled and found one but it is difficult to know if they are the best. Any guidelines would be appreciated. Thanks a mill x

Try posting in the 'surgeons and clinics' section of the forum sweetness, I'm not from the London area myself so can't help there, we do however have many women here who are and posting there will give you a better chance of someone responding with specific advice on clinics in that area for you.

You could also try searching that section too, you might find what you need.

Good luck hun! xx

Hello VV :allo: I think its brilliant that you were contacted about your PIPs - thats a first! As for a scan, I went to my GP who sent me to the breast clinic. I had lumps, though, so was seen quickly. I am unsure of London area waiting lists for breast clinics. Sorry I cant help more to recommend one to you. I know this is a worrying time. If you havent encountered any problems so far, try not to be alarmed by all you hear. Sounds like now you know, you aim to get them replaced, thats the main thing. I had mine replaced by my clinic under their aftercare (only 3 years after implant) but know alot of girls are having to pay for new ones. Go for an implant you know has been researched...I was told the same as you with my PIPs, but am confident now that I have the best implant I could. If you ever need to chat, I am here for you. Know how worried I was going through all the PIP stuff. There are legal cases going on...have you looked into it? The letter I received said that ladies should not breastfeed...I know you must be concerned, but if youve had no leaks, then you and your babe should be safe hun. I did alot of research online...simply googling my doubts. The girls on here are lovely though - youve already met Cookie who has been such a big support to me. Welcome, and hope to speak soon. x Good Luck x