Removal and Replace PIPs with cc questions?!

Hi *waves*
I'm new here and looking for some stories (hopefully success ones!).
I'm in a dilemma about having my implants removed and replaced.
It's been 6.5 years since I first had my silicone 250overs. Couldn't be happier with them.
Recently my left one (which is where I had a lump removed) has hardened and have capsular contraction. It's uncomfortable at times, looks a lot stiffer and feels a lot stiffer, but as far as I am concerned, is still better than the 32AA I started with!
I saw my surgeon last night and he chatted me through everything and I am now left with the decision whether to remove and replace, or to leave them be.
As it happens, they are PIP and it is HMG. However, they have been good to me. My surgeon gave me two years of free follow ups, free pathology and the works after my lump was removed.
The surgeons opinion was that if they were not PIP he would be more inclined to leave them be, but as they are PiP and they do have a higher incidence of hardening and what with the discomfort I get,, that he is more swaying toward replacement. However, I am not sold on the fact the 'new' HMG will not offer me aftercare if I pay the cost price they offer, which is still pretty steep tbh. I do really like and trust my surgeon there, but am still unsettled by their way of dealing with the PiP scandal.
.

I'm nervous thou, I always knew they needed replacement, but has anyone had replacement after cc? Did it help the cc? As I've heard sometimes it doesn't
H didn't grade the cc, but it is noticeably harder, looks different and you can see the edges. I get discomfort when doing things like lying on my side without a bra on and they hang sideways.
Ad what about capsulectomy? Can that be done on just the cc breast, or does it need to be done on both? And does it cost more?
I can't decide what to do and it's not like you can just chat it out with mates down the pub!
I've got a second opinion appointment with Transform on Friday to try and help me decide, but would really like some real people experiences please?
Thanks in advance for any help!
MissSW

PS despite my name, I am not in Wales so the NHS R&R being free isn't an option!
PPS sorry for the long post!

Hello and welcome to Breast Buddies MissSW  

Firstly let me say how sorry I am that you have found us under such circumstances, its hard for all girls with PIPs but we have a great support network here so you have come to the right place.

Secondly let me apologise for the time its taken to get a response out to you. This isn't the norm on Breast Buddies and generally the responses here are pretty quick.

OK...now to your questions:

On advise from BAAPS after further testing of these implants they say get them out ASAP babe, so please don't even consider leaving those things in. There lots of information in the PIP support section of the forum if you'd like to read any.

About treating the CC side, yes, you can have a capsulectomy on just one breast. If its not necessary on the other, then the surgeon won't touch the capsule hun. Sometimes a capsulectomy isn't always necessary though, so do hold out on suggesting this to a surgeon. IF they feel its needed then they'll let you know and it is possible it could cost more due to the additional work involved, but with PIPs ladies most surgeons are sympathetic and some will waiver that cost to help you get those things out hun.

Its thought that if you have CC once it can raise the risk of getting it again... But, you can counteract those risks with the new 5th generation implants (Nagor Impleo, Allergan Soft touch and the Polyeurothane implants)

The clinics have treated all PIP women terribly, THG especially, so your lack of trust is totally understandable. They should ALL and this includes Transform I might add should be giving all the ladies they implanted with these things a free replacement... but no, they will not accept any responsibility other than to offer discounted replacements PFFT! very kind of them....NOT!

I would suggest if you're considering paying full price that you go and see a BAAPS member hun. If money is a problem you can see one for as little as £25 through MyBreast. BAAPS surgeons are at the top of their game lovely and will look after you.

If you do however decide to proceed with THG, they will be entering into a new contract with you hun and you will get your aftercare, so don't worry about that. Just be sure to get everything in writing. Don't be afraid to ask for anything you want from them hun. Its the least they can do.

I hope that helps hun and if you have further questions do just ask. Xx

Hiya hun xx i can't really add anything to what cookie has already said! No clinic has been helpful to women who have had the PIP's, but they do need to come out! Awfull awfull things. Good luck, do keep us updated xx

Hi hunni,
I have just had my PIPs out, I had them put in by HMG and was so appalled by the lack of help and support I got from them I refused to give them a penny more of my money. When I first found out I had them I rung to talk to someone, they told me no one was available and they would ring me bk, 5 days later I got a call from a very rude woman who made me feel like it was my fault I had these dangerous things in my body, she offered me no support an told me to get them removed and replaced it would cost me £5860!!! £760 more than I paid to get the awful things in. I was in a right state.
I found HMGs whole care for me, even before the PIP news broke, totally useless! I had a lot of problems and received no help.
It's just my opinion on them Hun but I would stay well clear, have some consultations with some different surgeons, I went with Mr Adrian Richards at Aurora clinics, he is BAAPS registered and is a complete angel, he and his team really want to help us girls with PIPs and I was so happy to find him.
I hope you find the right person for you hunni who will help you get rid of those things!!
Lots of love xxxx

Hi
Thanks for your responses.
It is reassuring to finally find someone other than the companies to discuss with as they are obviously going to be bias for my money.
I think Transform said they use Allergan so hopefully if I get the right model it will help with further cc.

THG did make clear to me that the new contract, should I pay their cost only price, will exclude all aftercare. I discussed this with them and they said that is how it is and further care would come at a cost and they won't budge. Another reason it has put me off them.

So are the surgeons at Transform BAAPs registered? I'm not sure if it is a standard.
I have heard mixed things about Transform, but then you hear mixed things everywhere. They do seem to have more positive than negative reviews thou, with the only issue being the surgeons being a bit short, but as long as there is a nurse to talk to, that doesn't bother me - I'm there for their work far more than their bedside manner!

My problem is I don't want the hassle I had first time of visiting five different clinics. I don't have the space in my work schedule to organise all that travel and time.
I know it is an important issue being my health and all, but I just can't fit a lot of visits in.

Miss SW

MissSouthWales wrote:Hi
Thanks for your responses.
It is reassuring to finally find someone other than the companies to discuss with as they are obviously going to be bias for my money.
I think Transform said they use Allergan so hopefully if I get the right model it will help with further cc.

Transform use Allergan's budget range - CUI's as standard. If you're wanting the fifth generation implant that lessens the risk of CC - The Allergan soft touch then you should expect to paying more money through Transform for those,

THG did make clear to me that the new contract, should I pay their cost only price, will exclude all aftercare. I discussed this with them and they said that is how it is and further care would come at a cost and they won't budge. Another reason it has put me off them.

That's absolutely disgusting!  

If you can afford to babe, I'd tell them to stick that contract right where the sun don't shine!

So are the surgeons at Transform BAAPs registered? I'm not sure if it is a standard

.

No, BAAPS surgeon don't tend to gravitate toward the large commercial clinics. They would not work for Transform hun.

You can find BAAPS surgeons in your area HERE

You can pay anything up to £150 to see a BAAPS surgeon, but as I said previously, you could see one for as little as £25 through MyBreast.

I have heard mixed things about Transform, but then you hear mixed things everywhere. They do seem to have more positive than negative reviews thou, with the only issue being the surgeons being a bit short, but as long as there is a nurse to talk to, that doesn't bother me - I'm there for their work far more than their bedside manner!

The choice of clinic is yours babe. Just be sure to take your time, see at least one BAAPS surgeon before making up your mind and think things through very carefully before booking lovely.

My problem is I don't want the hassle I had first time of visiting five different clinics. I don't have the space in my work schedule to organise all that travel and time.
I know it is an important issue being my health and all, but I just can't fit a lot of visits in.

Do please make sure you see at least two surgeons before making up your mind, one of them being a BAAPS surgeon. This then gives you the opportunity to compare both surgery plans offered to you and and the surgeon who will be taking a knife to your body (sorry for being so blunt babe but this is exactly what it is ) and is going to be taking care of you post-op.

Thanks Cookie. It's ok to be blunt. I think I'm more relaxed about it all having already had it done 6 years ago, and having had major surgery for other stuff (medical need) since.

I've sorted an appointment with Transform, and another with Mr Sivakumar at mybreast (who doesn't seem to come up anywhere on searches here! but does elsewhere after a quick google search and is BAAPs etc. His CV certainly works out).
That will give me three to choose from (although HMG are so far out the window they cannot be seen right now).
Money isn't an issue, or rather, it isn't an issue when it comes to this sort of thing. I'll still haggle, and it will still break my bank, but I'd rather not pick and choose based on quoted cost.

I'll certainly be browsing through here to make sure the make and model are the best for my circumstances.

I'm hoping one of these appointments will gear me up a bit because right now I just want it all done. It's distracting and exhausting. I want PIPs out, cc gone, no hassle and tiredness of it all.

MissSW

The 5th generation implants are the ones with the least risk of CC hun, so - Allergan Soft Touch, Nagor, or the Polyeurothane Pure implants. These are the ones that you'd be looking to have.

Don't worry about not finding the MyBreast surgeons name on here. Many women go for the large commercial clinics because they're the ones they hear about most, on the radio, the TV, magazine etc. BAAPS clinics don't advertise, they let their work speak for themselves, so with the majority heading for the most commercialised you don't really get to hear much about the surgeons as you've quite rightly researched and pointed out have the most amazing CVs.

You seem to have your head screwed on babe and hearing you say that you're not going to put a cost on this is fabulous! You couldn't be more right!

When you do see the BAAPS surgeon do ask him about ASC insurance. BAAPS have recently introduced an insurance for BAAPS surgeons only that will cover their patients for complications for two years 'after' their aftercare runs out for a small fee of about £150. This is amazing! And gives you alot more aftercare and reassurance. But its a new thing and many surgeons haven't heard about it yet, so do ask and if he's not aware of it do ask him if he'd look into it and if he does choose to participate to let you know.

With Transform, be warned! You will see a patient care co-ordinator first and not the surgeon. The PCC has no medical training and basically a saleswoman. She'll go the procedure with you and may even throw in offers, but don't take her on hun. Those offers are ALWAYS there at any time with Transform. She will then make you 'another' appointment to come back and see your chosen surgeon, so you will not be seeing a surgeon for your first visit at Transform hun.

Also, MyBreast won't haggle babe. Not for anyone! The price set is the price you'll have to pay babe, but you see a surgeon directly and the surgeon themselves will be the only ones looking after your care.

You'll find a wealth of information to help you with your research here MissSW and any questions just ask away.

Please keep up updated with how things go with the consultations also won't you.

Thanks again Cookie. You're a saviour running this forum and answering all our questions!
I read the thred about in the BAAPs insurance so will make sure I ask.

I guessed Transform was going to be a pcc, I had the same thing when I first went with HMG. And I never buy on the day, particularly not in these circumstances. I shall be going away and writing my pro and con list for each place to make sure I am happy with where I go.
And thanks for the heads up ith mybreast and haggling - shan't waste my time messing with price there then!

I'm seeing Transform later today, then mybreast next Wednesday so it won't be long until I'm ready to make a decision.
I'll keep you posted and thanks again
Miss SW