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Removing dangerous breast implants could cost the NHS £120million
Plastic surgeon Denis Boucq poses with silicone gel breast implants manufactured by French company Poly Implant ProtheseAROUND 40,000 British women are terrified their health is at serious risk from faulty French breast implants.
The latest scare comes after it emerged ministers were told the implants could rupture in as many as one in 12 patients – causing silicone to leak into the blood.
And the women’s fear has been fuelled after it came to light that surgeons in Britain had warned of the dangers of the PIP implants five years ago.
As the scandal grew, worried patients posted on Facebook that they are still waiting information about which implants they were given. Others, who know they have had the PIP version, are still unsure whether or not the cheap silicone used by the now-defunct French manufacturers could have ruptured in them.
One wrote: “I found out last week I have PIP implants, then 2 nights ago I found a lump under my left arm. I’m 8 months pregnant and seriously scared.”
Another said: “Had mine 2004... found the card from the op. It showed that I do have the PIP ones. Wont worry until I know if I have to. But have experienced pain, pins and needles, fibromyalgia and fatigue.” It is estimated that 40,000 British women were given PIP implants in the past decade. Last night it emerged that up to 8% or these, more than 3,200, face serious health complications. Surgeons here warned of the dangers five years ago but the NHS still gave PIP implants to thousands of cancer patients needing reconstructive surgery.
Department of Health officials yesterday confirmed if a woman’s health was at risk the NHS would remove PIP implants. Each operation would cost around £3,000 – up to £120million in total.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, who has ordered an urgent review into the PIP implants, said: “I want to reassure women that if any new data comes to light we will act swiftly to help them.”
Jean-Claude MasPIP founder Jean-Claude Mas, 72, is facing criminal charges, including manslaughter, after the death of one woman in France who was given the implants.
Donna BreedonThe Brit victim: 'My nightmare just keeps on getting worse'
THIS has become a nightmare for me, one that I just can’t get out of.
I decided to have implants because I wanted to balance my figure as I was naturally smaller on top and curvier on the bottom.
My husband came along with me to the consultation when they told me they used top quality cohesive implants.
I didn’t feel the need to question them because when you go to a very respected company and pay a lot of money you assume you are in really good hands.
I had the surgery in February 2010 and went from a 32A to a 32DD. Then six weeks after that regulators banned the implants.
Straight away I expressed my concerns. I was furious and so upset especially as it was so close after my surgery.
I couldn’t believe I was so unlucky to have these implants then six weeks later they were pulled off the market.
Right from the start I said I wanted them out and replaced.
But what I have been told is that unless I have a rupture then they won’t be taken out and replaced. The fact that I had recalled implants was bad enough but then to learn of the health risks involved was horrifying, I was absolutely terrified.
This has been a nightmare for me for the past year and a half.
I’ve been fully aware of what has been going on but now even more stories are coming out and that stresses you out more.
I want them out but I can’t afford the operation and the company won’t do it.
I am still paying for the implants as I got them on finance. As much as I want to stop my payments, I can’t as it will effect my credit rating and I will also get hefty charges from the finance company.
That’s the most frustrating thing of all, I am still paying for these damn implants.
I would have them out tomorrow if I could. I don’t feel this is the NHS’s problem, it is the cosmetic surgery company’s problem. They have to replace them with better quality implants.
Plastic surgeon Denis Boucq poses with silicone gel breast implants manufactured by French company Poly Implant Prothese
The latest scare comes after it emerged ministers were told the implants could rupture in as many as one in 12 patients – causing silicone to leak into the blood.
And the women’s fear has been fuelled after it came to light that surgeons in Britain had warned of the dangers of the PIP implants five years ago.
As the scandal grew, worried patients posted on Facebook that they are still waiting information about which implants they were given. Others, who know they have had the PIP version, are still unsure whether or not the cheap silicone used by the now-defunct French manufacturers could have ruptured in them.
One wrote: “I found out last week I have PIP implants, then 2 nights ago I found a lump under my left arm. I’m 8 months pregnant and seriously scared.”
Another said: “Had mine 2004... found the card from the op. It showed that I do have the PIP ones. Wont worry until I know if I have to. But have experienced pain, pins and needles, fibromyalgia and fatigue.” It is estimated that 40,000 British women were given PIP implants in the past decade. Last night it emerged that up to 8% or these, more than 3,200, face serious health complications. Surgeons here warned of the dangers five years ago but the NHS still gave PIP implants to thousands of cancer patients needing reconstructive surgery.
Department of Health officials yesterday confirmed if a woman’s health was at risk the NHS would remove PIP implants. Each operation would cost around £3,000 – up to £120million in total.
Health Secretary Andrew Lansley, who has ordered an urgent review into the PIP implants, said: “I want to reassure women that if any new data comes to light we will act swiftly to help them.”
Jean-Claude Mas
Donna Breedon
THIS has become a nightmare for me, one that I just can’t get out of.
I decided to have implants because I wanted to balance my figure as I was naturally smaller on top and curvier on the bottom.
My husband came along with me to the consultation when they told me they used top quality cohesive implants.
I didn’t feel the need to question them because when you go to a very respected company and pay a lot of money you assume you are in really good hands.
I had the surgery in February 2010 and went from a 32A to a 32DD. Then six weeks after that regulators banned the implants.
Straight away I expressed my concerns. I was furious and so upset especially as it was so close after my surgery.
I couldn’t believe I was so unlucky to have these implants then six weeks later they were pulled off the market.
Right from the start I said I wanted them out and replaced.
But what I have been told is that unless I have a rupture then they won’t be taken out and replaced. The fact that I had recalled implants was bad enough but then to learn of the health risks involved was horrifying, I was absolutely terrified.
This has been a nightmare for me for the past year and a half.
I’ve been fully aware of what has been going on but now even more stories are coming out and that stresses you out more.
I want them out but I can’t afford the operation and the company won’t do it.
I am still paying for the implants as I got them on finance. As much as I want to stop my payments, I can’t as it will effect my credit rating and I will also get hefty charges from the finance company.
That’s the most frustrating thing of all, I am still paying for these damn implants.
I would have them out tomorrow if I could. I don’t feel this is the NHS’s problem, it is the cosmetic surgery company’s problem. They have to replace them with better quality implants.
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