PiP Implants support thread - Irish petition in post #1

LegacyUser

Hi guys,
I'm totally confused, I rang the hermitage there for an Ultrasound and they told me that I needed to be refered by <snip>....??? Can I not just book in myself and get it done, I got the letter to say I was 99%, I rang last night and asked for 100% confirmationa and she told me that they had a team in archives pulling out the data but it would take time. I have pain in my right breast and am a little bit worried now... id like to just go get the scan now.... do I need to ring them up and ask them to refer me to <snip>?

Pixiejane

Lolly30 wrote: »

Hi guys,
I'm totally confused, I rang the hermitage there for an Ultrasound and they told me that I needed to be refered by <snip>....??? Can I not just book in myself and get it done, I got the letter to say I was 99%, I rang last night and asked for 100% confirmationa and she told me that they had a team in archives pulling out the data but it would take time. I have pain in my right breast and am a little bit worried now... id like to just go get the scan now.... do I need to ring them up and ask them to refer me to <snip>?

Hi there,
Ring <snip> and tell them to fax <snip> a referral letter, it's the least they can do for you! But you'll need to be firm with them when you're on to them, and do mention the pain you're in. Hope this works for you.

Pixiejane

DD14 wrote: »

Have my scan this afternoon in <snip>. Awake all night worrying.
Don't know how I will get through the morning in work.

I know how you feel, been there. Still not sleeping properly. But look best of luck and hope it's all good news for you. Stay busy in work, it'll take your mind off it and then hopefully you'll get a good night's sleep tonight.

evergreen girl

Lolly30 wrote: »

Hi guys,
I'm totally confused, I rang the hermitage there for an Ultrasound and they told me that I needed to be refered by <snip>....??? Can I not just book in myself and get it done, I got the letter to say I was 99%, I rang last night and asked for 100% confirmationa and she told me that they had a team in archives pulling out the data but it would take time. I have pain in my right breast and am a little bit worried now... id like to just go get the scan now.... do I need to ring them up and ask them to refer me to <snip>?

As PixieJane said, <snip> should write you one, my sister got one from them (took a few days though). Otherwise you can get a referral letter from your GP, it doesn't have to be from <snip>, any GP can refer you also.

Hopefully your pain is nothing sinister but best to get the scan out of the way, it might save you some unnecessary worry.

evergreen girl

DD14 wrote: »

Have my scan this afternoon in <snip>. Awake all night worrying.
Don't know how I will get through the morning in work.

Also been there, I know it is completely nerve wracking waiting to find out but try and think positively. Just think of the relief you'll feel later on if everything is ok and really it's better to know either way rather than lying in bed each night wondering and worrying if something is wrong.

Let us know how you get on, and if the news is not so good, we are here for you. We'll keep our fingers crossed for you.....best of luck.

LegacyUser

Been onto <snip> there and she said she'd sent the letter across to <snip> today, does anyone know how long it takes from her sending the letter to you getting an appointment?

LegacyUser

Also, does anyone know of another clinic offering a second opion on the results of the Ultra sound scans, maybe discount or even free out of the goodness of their heart? I'm not sure I trust <snip> to tell me the truth when I go back with the scan.

kyra123

DD14 wrote: »

Have my scan this afternoon in <snip>. Awake all night worrying.
Don't know how I will get through the morning in work.

Hi DD14,

I was the same before my scan I think we all were. Honestly it s not that bad the people who do the scans understand completely how you feel, they will chat away to you to keep you distracted. Try not to panic too much, they will give you the results there and then.
The best of luck I m thinking of you x

catch1

ilmm2012 wrote: »

Yes I'm afraid you need a gp referral letter, it can cost anywhere from 350 upwards as far as I know <snip> and <snip> do them hope this helps

There is a clinic in <snip> that are doing the MRI for 200 euro..Think they are mainly taking <snip> patients though!!!

kyra123

Hi Girls,

Sorry it has taken me a bit to find the support groups in Australia. I know alot of you are maining me from OZ.
I have contacted the main group and they would love to help any irish ladies with PIPs over there. They have lots of contacts surgeon, gp's, solicitors , support groups and information. These guys are really on the ball.

They can be found through our facebook page (pip action group)
or you can search for them yourself on facebook-
pip breast implanrs rupture awareness

They are a closed group so you can not read the post on their page unless you are a member, just send a friend request and they will get back to you. If you don t want it on your facebook page that you have joined them you can join them and delete the update on your page but you will still be a member, failing all that you can mail Darlene or Andrew directly.

I hope this helps you ladies in OZ, stay strong.

PIP Action Group Ireland

kyra123

catch1 wrote: »

There is a clinic in <snip> that are doing the MRI for 200 euro..Think they are mainly taking <snip> patients though!!!

Thanks Catch I ll be giving them a bell. Do you know what the name of the clinic is?

DD14

kyra123 wrote: »

Thanks Catch I ll be giving them a bell. Do you know what the name of the clinic is?

I'd say it's <snip>

catch1

kyra123 wrote: »

Thanks Catch I ll be giving them a bell. Do you know what the name of the clinic is?

They are called <snip>
Funny enough, they have just rang me with my appt for MRI..Fri 24th Feb.
And they said because Im a PIP patient the MRI will take longer and it now costs 280euro....I asked will <snip> cover this??? She said Id have to discuss that with them..Think I might give <snip> a call, see if I get anywhere...doubt it.

ilmm2012

DD14 wrote: »

Have my scan this afternoon in <snip>. Awake all night worrying.
Don't know how I will get through the morning in work.

I had my ultrasound at <snip> and they really are lovely there, the nurse held my hand the whole way through and the technician was very thorough and spoke to me the whole time explaining what he was seeing because really it will like nothing to you.
Try not to worry even though I know thats so hard, stay strong

evergreen girl

Hi everyone,
DD14 hope you got good news this afternoon?

Well I sent my MRI report off to <snip> today and they rang me this evening and confirmed that my small leak is a rupture and offered me a free removal and replacement as I fall within their 6 year window.

I had been speaking with my solicitor before contacting <snip> and she said to send them a copy of my MRI report and see what they say about it. She said that if they offer me free removal and replacement and I decide not to accept it and go elsewhere, then I may not be able to recover the cost of the operation as you are obliged to limit your costs and expenses when taking a claim against someone. So taking that into account, I think I will go with <snip>. At the end of the day, I had no complaints about them until the whole PIP issue.

Am meeting their surgeon on 10th April and from googling him, I think I would be happy to go with him. The implant they offered is the basic Allergan implant and I asked about the option of upgrading to the lifetime guarantee Allergan implant (Natrelle/Inspira) and they said this would be possible although I would have to pay the difference and that I could discuss it with them when I meet the surgeon.

My surgery is booked for 16th May so in a few more months, this nightmare will be behind me:)

ilmm2012

Oh my god the <snip> saga continues...
I have been trying unsuccessfully to get my medical files the excuses just get better and better, still unconfirmed as to whether I definitely have PIPS or not all I get is the usual 99% sure its bordering on ridiculous now. Ive sent them a registered letter demanding my files stating Data Protection Acts blah blah about 2 weeks ago and now theyve finally received the files which I was told were coming from the archives in the UK, so I rang today so that they could confirm over the phone whether I definitely have PIPs and they told me that the batch no isnt on it <snip> didnt send that information, eh hello thought they were coming from the UK, Im so frigging annoyed, talking about dragging your feet what are they playing at?
Hope everyone else is doing ok

DD14

DD14 wrote: »

Have my scan this afternoon in <snip>. Awake all night worrying.
Don't know how I will get through the morning in work.

Hi all, thanks for all your good wishes, I really appreciate them. The scan confirmed no rupture in the implants, such a relief, but the radiographer said both implants have a leak in them, so my underarms are both showing silicone in the lymph nodes. He assured me there is no risk to my health due to the silicone leaking to the nodes and no urgency to have them removed. Not so sure about delaying in having them removed.

My implants are 9 years in now, so they are probably coming near the end of their shelf life. My dilemma now is where to go to have them replaced. <snip> are not going to remove for free as no rupture showed up, so do I look for another cosmetic surgeon or put my trust back in <snip>??Its going to cost me one way or another.
Anyone had them replaced and where did you have them done and what cost??
Once again, thanks to all the ladies on this forum for all the support they give to one another, it is really appreciated.

evergreen girl

DD14 wrote: »

Hi all, thanks for all your good wishes, I really appreciate them. The scan confirmed no rupture in the implants, such a relief, but the radiographer said both implants have a leak in them, so my underarms are both showing silicone in the lymph nodes. He assured me there is no risk to my health due to the silicone leaking to the nodes and no urgency to have them removed. Not so sure about delaying in having them removed.

My implants are 9 years in now, so they are probably coming near the end of their shelf life. My dilemma now is where to go to have them replaced. <snip> are not going to remove for free as no rupture showed up, so do I look for another cosmetic surgeon or put my trust back in <snip>?Its going to cost me one way or another.
Anyone had them replaced and where did you have them done and what cost??
Once again, thanks to all the ladies on this forum for all the support they give to one another, it is really appreciated.

Hi DD14,
very sorry to hear your bad news . I'd ring <snip> and see what they offer you. Like you, my report said that the shell of my implants were intact but I still had a bulge and a leak in one of them and <snip> have said they consider this to be a rupture and will replace mine as I'm within the 6 year window. So they may very well offer you free removal and you can see how much extra they will charge to replace them. It's worth speaking to them about it anyway. I know one of the girls on here had hers replaced with <snip> for 3500. That is probably the cheapest you are going to find and i think the implants are the same that <snip> are now using i.e. Allergan.

DD14

evergreen girl wrote: »

Hi everyone,
DD14 hope you got good news this afternoon?

Well I sent my MRI report off to <snip> today and they rang me this evening and confirmed that my small leak is a rupture and offered me a free removal and replacement as I fall within their 6 year window.

I had been speaking with my solicitor before contacting <snip> and she said to send them a copy of my MRI report and see what they say about it. She said that if they offer me free removal and replacement and I decide not to accept it and go elsewhere, then I may not be able to recover the cost of the operation as you are obliged to limit your costs and expenses when taking a claim against someone. So taking that into account, I think I will go with <snip>. At the end of the day, I had no complaints about them until the whole PIP issue.

Am meeting their surgeon on 10th April and from googling him, I think I would be happy to go with him. The implant they offered is the basic Allergan implant and I asked about the option of upgrading to the lifetime guarantee Allergan implant (Natrelle/Inspira) and they said this would be possible although I would have to pay the difference and that I could discuss it with them when I meet the surgeon.

My surgery is booked for 16th May so in a few more months, this nightmare will be behind me:)

Hi Evergreen girl,
Really happy you are getting this all sorted and you can start looking forward to living again. My scan showed no rupture but did show silicone in the lymph node in both armpits. <snip> will probably charge me full cost to remove & replace as no rupture confirmed and mine are 9 years in.
I agreee with your comment about having no issue with <snip> before the PIP scare. Just wish this was all behind me.

catch1

evergreen girl wrote: »

Hi everyone,
DD14 hope you got good news this afternoon?

Well I sent my MRI report off to <snip> today and they rang me this evening and confirmed that my small leak is a rupture and offered me a free removal and replacement as I fall within their 6 year window.

I had been speaking with my solicitor before contacting <snip> and she said to send them a copy of my MRI report and see what they say about it. She said that if they offer me free removal and replacement and I decide not to accept it and go elsewhere, then I may not be able to recover the cost of the operation as you are obliged to limit your costs and expenses when taking a claim against someone. So taking that into account, I think I will go with <snip>. At the end of the day, I had no complaints about them until the whole PIP issue.

Am meeting their surgeon on 10th April and from googling him, I think I would be happy to go with him. The implant they offered is the basic Allergan implant and I asked about the option of upgrading to the lifetime guarantee Allergan implant (Natrelle/Inspira) and they said this would be possible although I would have to pay the difference and that I could discuss it with them when I meet the surgeon.

My surgery is booked for 16th May so in a few more months, this nightmare will be behind me:)

Glad you can see an end in sight:) I have never heard of these "lifetime Allergen implants" ? Sounds great, Im having an ultrasound on Thursday and an MRI next week, so dont know what Im facing??? Im sure I want these out, but I know Ill be so sad when they are gone.X

ilmm2012

catch1 wrote: »

Glad you can see an end in sight:) I have never heard of these "lifetime Allergen implants" ? Sounds great, Im having an ultrasound on Thursday and an MRI next week, so dont know what Im facing??? Im sure I want these out, but I know Ill be so sad when they are gone.X

Catch1 can I ask why you're having an Ultrasound and then an MRI instead of just going straight ahead with the MRI???

ilmm2012

<snip>

Good luck evergreen girl, you seem well informed and doing the right thing checking out surgeon and the implants we dont want anything like this vto happen again

ilmm2012

DD14 wrote: »

Hi all, thanks for all your good wishes, I really appreciate them. The scan confirmed no rupture in the implants, such a relief, but the radiographer said both implants have a leak in them, so my underarms are both showing silicone in the lymph nodes. He assured me there is no risk to my health due to the silicone leaking to the nodes and no urgency to have them removed. Not so sure about delaying in having them removed.

My implants are 9 years in now, so they are probably coming near the end of their shelf life. My dilemma now is where to go to have them replaced. <snip> are not going to remove for free as no rupture showed up, so do I look for another cosmetic surgeon or put my trust back in <snip>??Its going to cost me one way or another.
Anyone had them replaced and where did you have them done and what cost??
Once again, thanks to all the ladies on this forum for all the support they give to one another, it is really appreciated.

Hi DD14 I really feel for you I know the technician said there was no risk to your health but hearing you've 2 leaks must have been horrible for you, I would definitely chance my arm with <snip> it cant do any harm right but if you have to pay again <snip> seem to be the ones to go with IMO there are only 3500 were as elsewhere including <snip> you'll probably pay 5000 or more, my implants are in since 2001 so know exactly how you feel.

catch1

ilmm2012 wrote: »

Catch1 can I ask why you're having an Ultrasound and then an MRI instead of just going straight ahead with the MRI???

Hi ilmm, I went to my GP for a referal weeks ago and she set up an appointment to see a breast surgeon in <snip>, she said that you have to see surgeon before any scan is done, Scan tomorrow!!! Scary!!
In the meantime <snip> Have set up a referal to have an MRI next week !!! 280euro..I will see what comes of this scan tomorrow, might not need MRI if they are able to see something??? Hope your well??

Pixiejane

<snip>

Hi Evergreen,

Glad you're getting sorted eventually. Really hope it all goes well for you, you seem to have done your homework anyway;) and yes better off going for the Natrelle/Inspira range rather than the basic Allergan ones.

catch1

<snip>

Hi Evergeen! Just wondering, Are you scared of implanting again?? Im torn between removal and replacement???? So scary thinking of what might come up down the road(health wise) I know Ill be heartbroken without them but dont know if Im brave enough to re implant giving the circumstances!!!

Pixiejane

ilmm2012 wrote: »

Hi DD14 I really feel for you I know the technician said there was no risk to your health but hearing you've 2 leaks must have been horrible for you, I would definitely chance my arm with <snip> it cant do any harm right but if you have to pay again <snip> seem to be the ones to go with IMO there are only 3500 were as elsewhere including Harley you'll probably pay 5000 or more, my implants are in since 2001 so know exactly how you feel.

Hey DD14,
Glad you've no ruptures but sorry to hear about the leaks. ILMM is right, maybe get back to <snip> and push them and see if they can sort you out, the least they can do! otherwise give <snip> a ring, I know they've sorted out some girls to date, and they've been happy with everything there.

ilmm2012

DD14 wrote: »

Hi Evergreen girl,
Really happy you are getting this all sorted and you can start looking forward to living again. My scan showed no rupture but did show silicone in the lymph node in both armpits. <snip> will probably charge me full cost to remove & replace as no rupture confirmed and mine are 9 years in.
I agreee with your comment about having no issue with <snip> before the PIP scare. Just wish this was all behind me.

Girls look I'm sorry to say this but I really feel it needs to be said, yes of course SNIP were all nice to us when they were taking 6000 off each of us but the sign of a good company is their customer service skills when there is a problem and lets face it they havent dealt with most of us too well , theyve dragged their feet on every issue and kept most of us waiting around, we trusted them and theyve let us down IMO:mad::mad:

evergreen girl

catch1 wrote: »

Hi Evergeen! Just wondering, Are you scared of implanting again?? Im torn between removal and replacement???? So scary thinking of what might come up down the road(health wise) I know Ill be heartbroken without them but dont know if Im brave enough to re implant giving the circumstances!!!

Hi Catch1,
totally know where you're coming from, I've been agonising over it since xmas. The chances of another breast implant scandal is probably quite slim but the possibility is still there all the same. My husband wants me to just have them removed and not replaced but I'm actually really happy with my breasts and unfortunately I'm not quite ready to give them up.

I'm hoping that if I go with a higher quality implant, I might get 15-20 years out of them (I think that's prob the longest you'll get out of any implant regardless of what the manufacturer might say) as opposed to another 10 years with a basic implant. At that stage, I'm hoping I'll be happy to revert to my previous size and will have them removed (and get an uplift if necessary).

To help you make your decision have a look at this website which shows explant before and after photos.

http://www.justbreastimplants.com/gallery/explant_photos.htm

It is a massive decision to replace them so have a good think about it and maybe google some more explant photos as in fairness I thought my breasts would be ruined if I just had my implants removed but from looking at the pictures, the majority of women's breasts look perfectly fine after removing them.

At the end of the day, if you decide to get new implants and you're always going to be worrying about them, then is there any point in you getting them? The worry you'll feel will definitely outweigh any benefits for you.

Good luck with your decision and best of luck with your scan.
Will keep my fingers crossed for you!

catch1

evergreen girl wrote: »

Hi Catch1,
totally know where you're coming from, I've been agonising over it since xmas. The chances of another breast implant scandal is probably quite slim but the possibility is still there all the same. My husband wants me to just have them removed and not replaced but I'm actually really happy with my breasts and unfortunately I'm not quite ready to give them up.

I'm hoping that if I go with a higher quality implant, I might get 15-20 years out of them (I think that's prob the longest you'll get out of any implant regardless of what the manufacturer might say) as opposed to another 10 years with a basic implant. At that stage, I'm hoping I'll be happy to revert to my previous size and will have them removed (and get an uplift if necessary).

To help you make your decision have a look at this website which shows explant before and after photos.

http://www.justbreastimplants.com/gallery/explant_photos.htm

It is a massive decision to replace them so have a good think about it and maybe google some more explant photos as in fairness I thought my breasts would be ruined if I just had my implants removed but from looking at the pictures, the majority of women's breasts look perfectly fine after removing them.

At the end of the day, if you decide to get new implants and you're always going to be worrying about them, then is there any point in you getting them? The worry you'll feel will definitely outweigh any benefits for you.

Good luck with your decision and best of luck with your scan.
Will keep my fingers crossed for you!

Thanks Evergreen x
Iv had them in over six years now and since getting them have had a baby which led to sagging So what they would look like if the implants were gone I can only imagine??Plus I had an uplift when I had them done in the first place, which means Id be left with saggy scared boobs???? It is such a hard decision to make,im only 39, so still like to get dressed up and look nice.Did you choose to wait till May or is there a long waiting list?

evergreen girl

ilmm2012 wrote: »

Girls look I'm sorry to say this but I really feel it needs to be said, yes of course <snip> were all nice to us when they were taking 6000 off each of us but the sign of a good company is their customer service skills when there is a problem and lets face it they havent dealt with most of us too well , theyve dragged their feet on every issue and kept most of us waiting around, we trusted them and theyve let us down IMO:mad::mad:

I hear what you are saying ilmm2012 and I think we all agree that we've been treated like crap over the last few months.

But from my point of view, knowing that I have a rupture and that I need to get it taken care of, the only thing I can do to convince myself that I'm making the right decision by going back to <snip> is to focus on the positives of my last experience with them. I'm sure this is the case with all of the other girls with ruptures who have to return to them for surgery.

I would honestly happily pay another clinic to do the surgery if there was any chance I could get the money back as I completely take your point about the sign of a good company being their treatment of you when there is a problem. But as I've already been advised by my solicitor that the recovery of this money would be slim to none when I've been offered a free replacement, I can't afford to spend thousands of euro with no hope of recovering it. So unfortunately I'm going to have to continue brainwashing myself into believing that <snip> are not that bad:rolleyes:

evergreen girl

catch1 wrote: »

Thanks Evergreen x
Iv had them in over six years now and since getting them have had a baby which led to sagging So what they would look like if the implants were gone I can only imagine??Plus I had an uplift when I had them done in the first place, which means Id be left with saggy scared boobs???? It is such a hard decision to make,im only 39, so still like to get dressed up and look nice.Did you choose to wait till May or is there a long waiting list?

Feel for you, def a hard decision. Maybe you could make an appointment with another clinic (as long as it was free) and see what options they could suggest for you if you had your implants removed? At least then you would have all the information you need to make a decision.

Re the waiting list, the earliest appointment they could give me to see a surgeon was 10th April so yeah I think there is a bit of a backlog. I asked them to book me in for the surgery in May while I was on the phone with them as I want to get it sorted before I go back to work from maternity leave. Otherwise I presume they would not organise a surgery date until you had seen the surgeon and I was afraid they would be fully booked up for May by the time I met him.

I don't mind waiting until May as my rupture is very small and the silicone hasn't migrated anywhere. Also only stopped breastfeeding at xmas and another surgeon advised that I should wait until at least May for any surgery to allow my breasts to settle into their final shape (although i presume he meant wait and see how far down they will sag:D)

ilmm2012

evergreen girl wrote: »

I hear what you are saying ilmm2012 and I think we all agree that we've been treated like crap over the last few months.

But from my point of view, knowing that I have a rupture and that I need to get it taken care of, the only thing I can do to convince myself that I'm making the right decision by going back to HMG is to focus on the positives of my last experience with them. I'm sure this is the case with all of the other girls with ruptures who have to return to them for surgery.

I would honestly happily pay another clinic to do the surgery if there was any chance I could get the money back as I completely take your point about the sign of a good company being their treatment of you when there is a problem. But as I've already been advised by my solicitor that the recovery of this money would be slim to none when I've been offered a free replacement, I can't afford to spend thousands of euro with no hope of recovering it. So unfortunately I'm going to have to continue brainwashing myself into believing that <snip> are not that bad:rolleyes:

I understand exactly were you're coming from evergreen I just think its terrible that you have to go with them and its come to this.

Pixiejane

ilmm2012 wrote: »

Girls look I'm sorry to say this but I really feel it needs to be said, yes of course SNIP were all nice to us when they were taking 6000 off each of us but the sign of a good company is their customer service skills when there is a problem and lets face it they havent dealt with most of us too well , theyve dragged their feet on every issue and kept most of us waiting around, we trusted them and theyve let us down IMO:mad::mad:

No ILMM you're spot on there in what you're saying. Customer Service does not feature with this company, bad customer service is more like it. At the end of the day, there is no need for this behaviour or attitude especially in this situation we're all in. We are human beings and need to be treated accordingly and compassionately.
These people should be absolutely ashamed of themselves as people. If they have no respect for people, well it's clear to see they've no respect for themselves. Karma will catch up on them all.

catch1

evergreen girl wrote: »

Feel for you, def a hard decision. Maybe you could make an appointment with another clinic (as long as it was free) and see what options they could suggest for you if you had your implants removed? At least then you would have all the information you need to make a decision.

Re the waiting list, the earliest appointment they could give me to see a surgeon was 10th April so yeah I think there is a bit of a backlog. I asked them to book me in for the surgery in May while I was on the phone with them as I want to get it sorted before I go back to work from maternity leave. Otherwise I presume they would not organise a surgery date until you had seen the surgeon and I was afraid they would be fully booked up for May by the time I met him.

I don't mind waiting until May as my rupture is very small and the silicone hasn't migrated anywhere. Also only stopped breastfeeding at xmas and another surgeon advised that I should wait until at least May for any surgery to allow my breasts to settle into their final shape (although i presume he meant wait and see how far down they will sag:D)

Thanks for sharing your information with me Evergreen.. Ill let you know how I get on tomorrow.

jeano8

Pixiejane wrote: »

ilmm2012 wrote: »

Girls look I'm sorry to say this but I really feel it needs to be said, yes of course <SNIP> were all nice to us when they were taking 6000 off each of us but the sign of a good company is their customer service skills when there is a problem and lets face it they havent dealt with most of us too well , theyve dragged their feet on every issue and kept most of us waiting around, we trusted them and theyve let us down IMO:mad::mad:

No ILMM you're spot on there in what you're saying. Customer Service does not feature with this company, bad customer service is more like it. At the end of the day, there is no need for this behaviour or attitude especially in this situation we're all in. We are human beings and need to be treated accordingly and compassionately.
These people should be absolutely ashamed of themselves as people. If they have no respect for people, well it's clear to see they've no respect for themselves. Karma will catch up on them all.

I totaly agree with u on this i think if this clinic had treate us with the respect they promised in the first place we would have no issue with going with them again but they havent treated us with the compassion or respect we deserve as their patients they hav basically kept their head down and not been there for us at all they didnt contact us when they were supposed to they havent offered scans they have dug their heels in with regard to medical records and confirmation and have been absolutely horrible to deal with on the phone very unprofessional i just think if they had sorted this problem head on instead of sticking their heads in the sand we would not be writing about this right now !!!!

LegacyUser

Anyone know the lead time for an MRI at <snip>?

jeano8

evergreen girl wrote: »

Well, I got the results of my MRI this evening and it says that there is no evidence of rupture which is good.

However it does say I have a very small bulge in my right implant which they think is probably a small external silicone leaking which is not good:(. Thankfully there is no evidence of silicone in my breast tissue or swelling of my lymph nodes. Well not yet anyway!

Don't really know what to do now. Don't know if there's any point contacting <snip> if my report doesn't say I have a confirmed rupture. Although I also don't understand how I can have a probable silicone leak if I don't have a rupture? Possibly its a gel bleed through the shell of the implant but the report doesn't specify how it might have happened.

Anyways, I had kind of decided prior to my MRI that I would have them replaced in May by <snip> but my hubby thinks it madness to pay out thousands of euro to another company if HMG will do them for free.

Has anyone else been identified as having a probable leak but no rupture? And if so did the offer by <snip> still apply?

Hi evergreen girl did u contact <snip> about the gel bleed and what did they say to you? Im going for an mri hopefully next week so nervous!!!"

DD14

jeano8 wrote: »

Hi evergreen girl did u contact <snip> about the gel bleed and what did they say to you? Im going for an mri hopefully next week so nervous!!!"

Hi evergreen. I rang <snip> and told them about the leaking in my implants. I have an appointment with them for 27th feb. Mine are 9 years in so I'm sure I will be told they need to be replaced anyway. I will probably check out other clinics and then decide wer to have it done. I am 47 now and not sure if replacement is something my body can cope with for the next 10 years. I have very low self esteem and don't know if going back to size AA is something I can deal with. Hubby is very supportive but at the end of the day it's my decision. By the way my husband and GP are the only people who know I have implants I was very private bout this.

DD14

jeano8 wrote: »

evergreen girl wrote: »

Well, I got the results of my MRI this evening and it says that there is no evidence of rupture which is good.

However it does say I have a very small bulge in my right implant which they think is probably a small external silicone leaking which is not good:(. Thankfully there is no evidence of silicone in my breast tissue or swelling of my lymph nodes. Well not yet anyway!

Don't really know what to do now. Don't know if there's any point contacting harley medical group if my report doesn't say I have a confirmed rupture. Although I also don't understand how I can have a probable silicone leak if I don't have a rupture? Possibly its a gel bleed through the shell of the implant but the report doesn't specify how it might have happened.

Anyways, I had kind of decided prior to my MRI that I would have them replaced in May by Auralia clinic but my hubby thinks it madness to pay out thousands of euro to another company if HMG will do them for free.

Has anyone else been identified as having a probable leak but no rupture? And if so did the offer by HMG still apply?

Hi evergreen girl did u contact hmg about the gel bleed and what did they say to you? Im going for an mri hopefully next week so nervous!!!"

Hi evergreen. I rang HMG and told them about the leaking in my implants. I have an appointment with them for 27th feb. Mine are 9 years in so I'm sure I will be told they need to be replaced anyway. I will probably check out other clinics and then decide wer to have it done. I am 47 now and not sure if replacement is something my body can cope with for the next 10 years. I have very low self esteem and don't know if going back to size AA is something I can deal with. Hubby is very supportive but at the end of the day it's my decision. By the way my husband and GP are the only people who know I have implants I was very private bout this.

jeano8

DD14 wrote: »

jeano8 wrote: »

evergreen girl wrote: »

Well, I got the results of my MRI this evening and it says that there is no evidence of rupture which is good.

However it does say I have a very small bulge in my right implant which they think is probably a small external silicone leaking which is not good:(. Thankfully there is no evidence of silicone in my breast tissue or swelling of my lymph nodes. Well not yet anyway!

Don't really know what to do now. Don't know if there's any point contacting harley medical group if my report doesn't say I have a confirmed rupture. Although I also don't understand how I can have a probable silicone leak if I don't have a rupture? Possibly its a gel bleed through the shell of the implant but the report doesn't specify how it might have happened.

Anyways, I had kind of decided prior to my MRI that I would have them replaced in May by Auralia clinic but my hubby thinks it madness to pay out thousands of euro to another company if HMG will do them for free.

Has anyone else been identified as having a probable leak but no rupture? And if so did the offer by HMG still apply?

Hi evergreen girl did u contact hmg about the gel bleed and what did they say to you? Im going for an mri hopefully next week so nervous!!!"

Hi evergreen. I rang HMG and told them about the leaking in my implants. I have an appointment with them for 27th feb. Mine are 9 years in so I'm sure I will be told they need to be replaced anyway. I will probably check out other clinics and then decide wer to have it done. I am 47 now and not sure if replacement is something my body can cope with for the next 10 years. I have very low self esteem and don't know if going back to size AA is something I can deal with. Hubby is very supportive but at the end of the day it's my decision. By the way my husband and GP are the only people who know I have implants I was very private bout this.

I can titally understanf what ur going through im thinking of not repkacing either dont ever want to go through this again im only 30 so im still weighing up my options at the mo i only have mine 5 years im just so annoyed they hav put us through this so wotried about my health and also it has affected my children in any way u shud demand hmg remove them its still a faulty product regardless of the time u hav them in u must be fumin.g with them i hopefully hav my mri next week just waiting on the clinic to get bak to me any way best of luk with ur decision and let me know how u get on with hmg

evergreen girl

jeano8 wrote: »

Hi evergreen girl did u contact hmg about the gel bleed and what did they say to you? Im going for an mri hopefully next week so nervous!!!"

Hi Jean08,
I just scanned my MRI report and sent them a copy of it by email (rang their dublin number first and got their email address) and they rang me back that evening and said that surgeon had looked at report, said it was a rupture and they offered me a free replacement as I was within the 6 years.

So even if your MRI report says that the shells of your implants appear to be intact, you might still have a bulge or something on one of them with a leak (like I have). It's def worth sending them a copy of your MRI to see what they say anyway.

Best of luck with your MRI. Just be aware that they might not give you the results there and then. I practically tormented the technician to try and get any info from him but he said he couldn't tell me anything until their breast MRI specialist had looked at the images (in fairness, he had told me this before he even started the scan, but I thought he might feel sorry for me and tell me something!). Had to wait for my report to be sent to my GP but they sent the results the next day so wasn't waiting too long.

evergreen girl

DD14 wrote: »

Hi evergreen. I rang HMG and told them about the leaking in my implants. I have an appointment with them for 27th feb. Mine are 9 years in so I'm sure I will be told they need to be replaced anyway. I will probably check out other clinics and then decide wer to have it done. I am 47 now and not sure if replacement is something my body can cope with for the next 10 years. I have very low self esteem and don't know if going back to size AA is something I can deal with. Hubby is very supportive but at the end of the day it's my decision. By the way my husband and GP are the only people who know I have implants I was very private bout this.

I'm sure they will offer you free removal anyway as you are within the 10 years. But you should try and push for a free replacement (if you think that's what you'll want) in your meeting. I know their official line is only replacement within 6 years but you never know what they might offer on an individual case by case basis. Worth a try anyway and maybe bring your husband with you to the meeting for support.

And you're def not alone in only your husband and GP knowing. There are very few women, I think, who would be open about this type of surgery as people can be so judgemental and who wants to be known as "ur one with the fake boobs!"

Best of luck at your meeting.....

Pixiejane

Hi all you Ladies out there,

It's been quiet of late here on boards, so hope you're all doing as well as can be expected. PIP Action Group is doing really well and has been very busy with lots of work going on in the background for the benefit of all PIP ladies here in Ireland.

Considering the group only came into being about 3 weeks ago, tremendous work has been done so far from everyone in the group, from sending letters to Ministers, the IMB, emails and letters to clinics, and media work as well. For those of you who are new, you should google articles from the Irish Times and the Independent, and also please take the time to listen to Ray Darcy's Podcast about PIPs. This has set the ball rolling for us all in a very positive way. We're out there now in the media and we're not going away. We're in touch with different medical associations also to help us along with our findings and research. We have a fantastic researcher as well who is currently studying a law degree as well as running a home and dealing with her own children. She has been very helpful and supportive in all of this for us, so for this we thank you N. Lots of other supportive people constantly working away on our behalf in the background too. So lots of positives going on.

For those women out there only reading this thread, please post if you're up to it, there's a great bunch of women on here full of advice and information. For all you other ladies out there, please continue to post. We're just a normal bunch of women, mothers, sisters, wives all in the same situation who want to get back to normal life again. It helps to talk as well. Check out our website for all social networking links and join the community. Stay strong and positive ladies.

PIP Action Group, well done all you fab ladies x keep it up.

ilmm2012

Pixiejane wrote: »

Hi all you Ladies out there,

It's been quiet of late here on boards, so hope you're all doing as well as can be expected. PIP Action Group is doing really well and has been very busy with lots of work going on in the background for the benefit of all PIP ladies here in Ireland.

Considering the group only came into being about 3 weeks ago, tremendous work has been done so far from everyone in the group, from sending letters to Ministers, the IMB, emails and letters to clinics, and media work as well. For those of you who are new, you should google articles from the Irish Times and the Independent, and also please take the time to listen to Ray Darcy's Podcast about PIPs. This has set the ball rolling for us all in a very positive way. We're out there now in the media and we're not going away. We're in touch with different medical associations also to help us along with our findings and research. We have a fantastic researcher as well who is currently studying a law degree as well as running a home and dealing with her own children. She has been very helpful and supportive in all of this for us, so for this we thank you N. Lots of other supportive people constantly working away on our behalf in the background too. So lots of positives going on.

For those women out there only reading this thread, please post if you're up to it, there's a great bunch of women on here full of advice and information. For all you other ladies out there, please continue to post. We're just a normal bunch of women, mothers, sisters, wives all in the same situation who want to get back to normal life again. It helps to talk as well. Check out our website for all social networking links and join the community. Stay strong and positive ladies.

PIP Action Group, well done all you fab ladies x keep it up.

Here here PixieJane, we're here to stay!!!
I hope all you lovely Pip ladies put there haven't gone away and lost hope we really are working away on lots of things as a group in the media and other avenues all will be clear soon do please please keep posting either here or you can reach us privately on our website and check out our links www.pipactiongroup.com xxx

jeano8

ilmm2012 wrote: »

Pixiejane wrote: »

Hi all you Ladies out there,

It's been quiet of late here on boards, so hope you're all doing as well as can be expected. PIP Action Group is doing really well and has been very busy with lots of work going on in the background for the benefit of all PIP ladies here in Ireland.

Considering the group only came into being about 3 weeks ago, tremendous work has been done so far from everyone in the group, from sending letters to Ministers, the IMB, emails and letters to clinics, and media work as well. For those of you who are new, you should google articles from the Irish Times and the Independent, and also please take the time to listen to Ray Darcy's Podcast about PIPs. This has set the ball rolling for us all in a very positive way. We're out there now in the media and we're not going away. We're in touch with different medical associations also to help us along with our findings and research. We have a fantastic researcher as well who is currently studying a law degree as well as running a home and dealing with her own children. She has been very helpful and supportive in all of this for us, so for this we thank you N. Lots of other supportive people constantly working away on our behalf in the background too. So lots of positives going on.

For those women out there only reading this thread, please post if you're up to it, there's a great bunch of women on here full of advice and information. For all you other ladies out there, please continue to post. We're just a normal bunch of women, mothers, sisters, wives all in the same situation who want to get back to normal life again. It helps to talk as well. Check out our website for all social networking links and join the community. Stay strong and positive ladies.

PIP Action Group, well done all you fab ladies x keep it up.

Here here PixieJane, we're here to stay!!!
I hope all you lovely Pip ladies put there haven't gone away and lost hope we really are working away on lots of things as a group in the media and other avenues all will be clear soon do please please keep posting either here or you can reach us privately on our website and check out our links www.pipactiongroup.com xxx

I couldnt have said it better girls i think all this hard work will pay off in the end so exactly if ur afraid to post just pm one of us were here to help in any way we can even if u just want to talk its aleays confidential and can i also say a massive thank you to you ladies for all the help and support i realy feel like i have made some absolutely amazing strong women and friends xxxx

kyra123

jeano8 wrote: »

I couldnt have said it better girls i think all this hard work will pay off in the end so exactly if ur afraid to post just pm one of us were here to help in any way we can even if u just want to talk its aleays confidential and can i also say a massive thank you to you ladies for all the help and support i realy feel like i have made some absolutely amazing strong women and friends xxxx

Well said ladies. But yes The board is very quite. For anyone reading out there PIP Action Group will help in anyway we can. We as a group have been very quite the last week also but I promise it is not in vain. Keep an eye on our webiste and tweets this week, we will have some news very soon about the work we have been doing;)

We are doing our best to reflect the feelings, fears, needs and questions of all PIP Ladies involved in this issue. But we can only do this will you help. Please mail us with any issues you would like us to high light. Please sign the petition and pass it on.

Thank you to all the very brave women in the group who have stepped out into the media in the past few weeks to high light this issue. It has not been an easy thing to do but it will be worth it to get this issue resolved. So thank you all very much you are truely the strongest group of ladies I have ever met.
To all the ladies that have mailed the group this week with words of support and kindness thank you also.
To the brave ladies who mailed us to tell us their stories thank you for trusting us, we will give you a voice.

Stay strong ladies, the finish line will be well and truely in sight after this week I promise.:)

LegacyUser

hi there ! i had them done in shandon st 2007 had them removed last week if you want some advice contact me NO PERSONAL NUMBERS

lickle mushroom wrote: »

Hi,

I found out today that I am one of the 1500 women in Ireland that have PIP implants. When I first heard of the scare I tried to contact Shandon Street Hospital in Cork(the clinic that I attended) - only to find that they had gone into liquidation in March 2011. My fears were confirmed today when a friend heard a radio interview naming the hospital as one of the 3 in Ireland that had been using the PIP implant.

I intend to talk to my GP tomorrow to schedule an exam to determine if my implants are still intact but after that I don't know what I can do.

My breast augmentation in 2005 was a major undertaking for me, both personally and financially. At that time in my life I had a very poor body image and low self esteem and I believed that breast augmentation would solve everything. I saved up for a very long time to be able to afford the operation but felt it was worth it. Although it didn't solve 'everything' it did help with my body issues and confidence in myself.

I'm now left wondering how the hell I will be able to afford to pay for surgery to replace the defective implants. I am also wondering why the hell I should have to pay for them seeing as they were a faulty product! Would consumer rights still apply in this situation (repair/replace/refund)? As the company is now in liquidation is there anywhere else I can turn? Incidentally, I tried the HSE website to see what their advice would be and I uncovered NOTHING on the issue!

If there are any of the other 1500 women here on boards it would be great to make contact and share information. Or if anyone else can offer some advice it would be greatly appreciated.

LM

jojom

hi ladies,
i hav never done anything like this before but i joined this thread to show support to all the other pip victims !

i too hav pip implants and still havnt rec confirmation letter from hmg i did get an email to say i prob hav tem i hav rang and emailed tem loads of times but to no avail

ive decided im goin to my doc tomorrow to get referral letter for mri and ive an app to c a solicitor on tues morn, i hav also requested in writing my medical records from hmg

this is all thank to following this thread and reading about all the other ladies experiences and taking the advice they hav been giving each other

so thank you all and keep up the good work ladies

DD14

Hi ladies I came across this post on a uk Facebook PIP page dated 9th feb. not sure if any of you have contacted RTE already........

Ladies if you are in Ireland, and have had issues with PIP implants and would like to tell your story on RTE's Prime Time, please contact me at tanya.sillem@rte.ie