The recent horror story concerning the PIP implants continues to make the plastic surgery news. According to recent industry article The Guardian(a UK newspaper) reports that a woman in the United Kingdom received 3,700 pounds back from Lloyds TSB, a UK credit card company. She had used her credit card as payment for her breast augmentation surgery. Unfortunately, the breast implants that she received were the problematic PIP implants, which the news sources have reported, “…were filled with non-medical grade silicone.” National Health Service removed her breast implants and she contacted a law firm to see if she could get a refund for the initial surgery. She found that the surgical group that had implanted the defective breast implants had gone into “administration,” (an alternative to liquidation). Since she had paid with her credit card, Lloyds TSB issued a full refund within three months after she had completed the required form. The British Association of Plastic Surgery (BAAPS) has taken a firm position that PIP implants should be explanted, preferably prior to rupture taking place, and believes it’s unethical that many clinics that implanted these devices will not replace them without cost to the patient. PIP breast implants that were said to be filled with non-medical grade silicone were not sold in the United States. Patients who had surgery outside of the United States should check their implants to be sure they are not PIP implants, especially if they paid a very low price for the surgery. Dr. Kim explains to patients that having breast augmentation outside of the United States means that the guidelines being used to determine medical safety of the process as well as the products used, is unlikely to be the same as the guidelines used in the United States. Every breast surgery including breast lift and breast reduction should be considered a serious operation and patient should always take into consideration the steps that should be taken to ensure their best breast health. This includes monthly breast self-exam as well as annual mammograms after 40 years of age. Dr. Kim encourages patients to follow the advice of their primary care physician concerning their breast health.
