Mybreast, I have to appeal for revision surgery!!!

I am furious and stressed with Mybreast. I contacted Mybreast to book revision surgery (cc left breast) after discussing with my options with my PS only to be informed my patients notes would need to be requested. As I heard nothing I chased and was advised the person dealing with my case was on annual leave! After 3 weeks I chased Tracey Coppen who advised "we have your patient notes, but the medical board and your PS have advised your revision surgery would be chargeable". I have now been asked to write confirming I wish my case to go to appeal.

I am completely shocked and stressed out by the news, at no time did my PS advise the revision would be chargeable.

I know a couple of ladies on here have also had problems with Mybreast aftercare and I wondered how you managed to put your cases across, I would be grateful to hear from you.

Mimi

x

Hello and welcome to Breast Buddies Mimi, although I'm sorry you have found the forum through such circumstances.

They can't refuse you free revision for Capsular Contracture Mimi. They're breaching their contract in doing so and I'd personally be telling them that too babe.

This quote is from MyBreasts promise of aftercare from their website:

MyBreast wrote:Our lifetime implant warranty covers rupture and capsular contracture, which means if surgical intervention is required, you will not be charged for your implants

.

Quote from HERE

They don't stand a chance in charging you for the revision babe as it states clearly in their aftercare that your revision is free. Xx

Re-reading that Mimi it does say 'the implants are free' it actually doesn't mention surgical costs...hmmm.

Does their aftercare only actually offer free advise for life then? Did you get any aftercare in writing Mimi?

Which implants do you have hun?

Hello Cookie, thank you for your quick reply. I don't have anything in writing from Mybreast re aftercare (should have requested it). I choose Mybreast because I was assured their aftercare policy was the best available. They suggested I have Nagor implants as I had the PIPs implants  which had ruptured and leaked into lymph nodes. I Cannot believe they expect me to pay again.

Thank you for your help,

Mimi.

I can't believe it either Mimi with many complications there may be grey areas that clinics might wriggle out of, but with diagnose CC! There's no grey area there! They should do the revision for free babe and you're absolutely right to appeal.

If we can help in any way with that do ask lovely. There's a few of us here who have fought clinics for aftercare and if we can help we will.

It would have been wise to have had the aftercare in writing babe to have all complications covered listed, but with CC I shouldn't imagine that you should have any problems at all. Xx

Hi mimi, hope you get something sorted soon. I booked with MyBreast for that particular reason, in case anything does go wrong I'm covered and don't have to worry about additional costs, little worried now! Keep us updated and goodluck x

Hi Cookie and Mrs B, thank you for your advice and comments. I am going to ask Mybreast if I can attend the appeal to put my case across as there doesn't seem to be any back up from my PS or his secretary (she advised, "she only deals with his private patients"). As I was never informed me about the medical board hearing, I don't hold out much hope as the only time you hear from Mybreast is when you chase them. I have never had a call from them to book aftercare appointments/check all well, I have had to always make the contact first. 

Will keep you updated,


Mimi
x

Did your surgeon give you his secretary's contact details babe?

It does sound as if you've been treated appallingly. Xx

Hi Cookie,

Was given his secretary's number after Mybreast made an error with an aftercare appointment.

Will let you when I hear about the appeal date.

Mimi

x

Well, if your surgeon gave you the details then his secretary should be dealing with any liaison you might have with the surgeon.

I understand she's not a go between for MyBreast, but you were given her details 'by her boss' as a contact point. She has no right to tell you she only deals with the surgeons private patients if the surgeon himself has passed you on to her.

Yes babe. Please let us know how you get on and good luck. Xx

Goodluck mimi, terrible treatment, hope they step it up for you or their going to end up with a bad reputation for themselves. Xx

Good luck hope you get the right result xx

it seems that more and more ladies are experiencing problems with mybreast recently which is a shame as they were originally touted as one of the best for aftercare and yet they seem to do their best to get out of paying for re-ops. very disheartening and awful for the poor ladies having to fight their case whilst still recovering from the original op. hope you can get the result you need mimi  xx

Hi Mimi,i cant help as im still Pre Ba but just wanted to say good luck in getting the Re op you deserve, hope it all works out for you xx

lumpybumpy wrote:it seems that more and more ladies are experiencing problems with mybreast recently which is a shame as they were originally touted as one of the best for aftercare and yet they seem to do their best to get out of paying for re-ops. very disheartening and awful for the poor ladies having to fight their case whilst still recovering from the original op. hope you can get the result you need mimi  xx

Agreed.

This is why its so very important to have the aftercare outlined, listing all complications that are covered and for how long.

There NEVER is any such thing as lifetime aftercare, this applies only to the contact with your urge on and the advise they can give you, it doesn't include revision surgery. So please girls. Get your aftercare no matter which you use. It is a shame that we've had a few women with complaints about aftercare. Their surgeons are exceptional but it means nothing if you dont have that cover and don't forget girls that BAAPS surgeons may have their own insurance called ASC which does cover complications for 2 years. This would be a small cost in addition to your surgery but very worth it. X

just found this on their terms and conditions page

What if I suffer complications following discharge from the hospital?

• Mybreast provide no guarantee of the aesthetic or sizing result, however we take steps to ensure that the hospital, consultant and other staff perform to best clinical practice, in terms of pre-and post-operative care, as well as the undertaking of the procedure itself.
  
• Mybreast will cover surgical cost of re admission to hospital and re-operation if you develop capsular contracture (breast surgery) that is felt [by your consultant] would benefit from surgical intervention or implant rupture within 5 years following your original surgery with Mybreast. In addition your implants carry a lifetime guarantee against capsular contracture and rupture and will be replaced if your surgeon considers you would benefit from replacing them. Please note only one readmission for correction of capsular contracture is included in the aftercare and it does not include cover for pre existing capsular contracture.
  
• Return to theatre for immediate complications for instances of haematoma or infection within 6 months from the date of your surgery.
  
• The cost of correction of rotation of anatomical implants is not covered.
  
• Revision surgery may not necessarily be performed by your original surgeon.
  
• Mybreast DO NOT cover the cost of re operation relating to patient dissatisfaction of implant size. (Breast surgery).
  
• Mybreast offers to all patients’ free follow up and advice for life whenever necessary regarding implant related problems (Breast surgery).
  

so from what i can gather, they will only pay for ONE episode of CC only if your surgeon agrees you will benefit from a re-op. even more worrying is the clause stating that revision surgery may not always be performed by your original surgeon    it seems that mybreast's aftercare just provides 'advice' rather than covering you for the major problems that you may encounter, very disappointing seeing as you can get lots of advice already from this forum! i know us ladies aren't qualified surgeons but everyone's experiences are extremely helpful to others plus there is the part on the forum where you can actually ask BAAPS surgeons for their advice so mybreast doesnt seem to offer anything substantial to cover you for re-ops further down the line :( xx

Hmmmm.... Mimi, I see from your profile that you've had 4 surgeries already 2 of which were PIPS (poor thing  )

I'm wondering.... Did you have CC before with any of your surgeries?

If you did lovely, then it does say in their terms and conditions (thanks for adding those lumpy  ) that if you had pre existing CC that they would not over it if it happened again.

Sometimes with CC if you get it once it can make you more susceptible to getting it again. Worry if this if the case with you Mimi, its just important you know what you're dealing with isnt it hun. Xx

Thank you for all your replies and support, it's great to find such a friendly informative forum.

I was a bit vague on my profile Cookie (didn't know if I could list everything, will update). Had revision surgery with Mybreast for ruptured PIPs at the end of 2010, unfortunately the surgeon forgot to remove the lymph nodes. Developed cc in the right breast so had right implant replaced and the left capsule sliced into as this was not as hard as the right and lymph nodes removed (I advised Mr Mallucci I didn't want to go through another revision op and was concerned about him not replacing left implant, his secretary did order 2 implants but he only used the 1 for the right breast). I feel the surgeon should have replaced both implants at the time of my right revision, I now have a hard left implant sat in a higher position than my right.

At my last consult with Mr Mallucci we discussed revision options, his words were "when you are ready whether it be 1 month, 6 months or a year just book in, no need to see me again". No mention on addition costs, hence not impressed with the fact I now have to request an appeal.

Sorry to rant,

Thank you for reading,

Mimi4

You're a complicated case hey and what a time of things you've had...

Do make sure when you go for the appeal that you mention the fact both implants weren't replaced at that time babe, even though two implants were ordered for you.

If they were to order two 'more' new implants from Nagor now this would be sheer profit for them! They have the other implant of yours still that they got for free when you needed the revision to replace, so why should they profit on a pair of free breast implants?

I'd also actually make a BIG deal of the fact that the surgeon forgot to remove the siliconomas when you had your first revision and tell them about the continued pain you were put through unnecessarily. I had siliconomas removed too hun so know how painful they are. For you to have woken and found they were still there just isn't acceptable! So do put ALOT of emphasis on this Mimi.

Really hoping they can see their way to help you babe   xxx

Hi Cookie, thank you for your great advice. I will definitely take it to appeal, I will put all those point across. I forgot to say in my last post I have a new lump under my left arm, approx size of a 50p, and apparently Mr Mallucci has advised Tracey at Mybrest he is not concerned about! can you believe it?

How I wish I had chosen another company, but as Mybreast used BAAPS surgeons I thought I had picked the best. Just shows how wrong one can be.

Will keep you posted,

Mimi

x

I can understand your frustration totally hun  

If your surgeon is dismissing the lump under your armpit babe I'd go and see your GP. As you've had previous problems with siliconomas then I'm sure this would give you good reason to be scanned. Tell your GP you were refused this through MyBreast and as the NHS has a duty of care to you, because they've turned you away, they really should help you.

Not good at all of Mr Malluci to dismiss this given your previous history

Hello Cookie, I have seen my GP who thankfully is very understanding and feels the lump should be investigated. I am awaiting an appointment from the breast clinic. Will update when I have the results.

Many thanks for all your advice,

Mimi

x

That's good news at least Mimi  

Fingers crossed now that MyBreast pull their finger out and sort out the rest for you hun.

Stay strong with your fight, don't back down and hopefully they will see reason.

We're here for you anytime Mimi, so if you need a chat, a rant, or just someone to lean on through this....that's what we're here for hun. Xx

Hi mimi, sorry to read about the hassle you're going through with Mybreast . I really hope you get to the bottom of it and they do what they should do for you. Good luck! X

Glad to see your gp is understanding and you are now waiting for things to move forward xxx