Where Aurora Clinics Stand on the PIP Breast Implant Situation
Statement by Mr. Adrian Richards, Clinical Director of Aurora Clinics
Firstly, I would like to confirm that neither I, nor any of our Plastic Surgeons, have ever used PIP implants whilst working with Aurora Clinics.
We have, however, seen and treated a significant number of patients devastated to find that they have been provided with sub-standard implants by other clinics.
Our phone lines have been overwhelmed with women seeking advice about what to do about their PIP implants; we are hearing the same story time and time again.
Almost universally, these women are frustrated and disappointed in being told they were being treated with top quality implants containing the latest “safe” cohesive gel with a full guarantee. These implants have since been shown to contain a sub-standard, possibly industrial, grade silicone and are prone to rupture.
In addition, many patients are finding it extremely difficult to contact the companies who initially treated them and – even if they do - are often not being provided the necessary advice and treatment to correct their problem.
This is compounded by conflicting advice from many European governments who recommend that any PIP implants be removed and the British Government whose guidance is less clear on the subject.
At Aurora Clinics we have never used PIP implants because when we first saw them we felt they did not feel and appear of equal quality to the more established breast implants brands such as Allergan, Nagor, Mentor and Silimed.
Our expert Plastic Surgeons also wondered how PIP implants could be so much cheaper than the other mainstream brands of breast implants if they were made using a similar process. The other implant manufacturers explained to our surgeons that the price PIP were selling their implants for was, in many cases, less than the manufacturing cost of their implants.
Aurora Clinics decided that if something seemed too good to be true it usually was, so we have always treated our patients exclusively with the highest quality implants.
Our gut feeling has unfortunately proved correct: PIP implants have now been shown to contain sub-standard silicone and to have a higher rate of rupture than the other major brands of breast implants.
Although we have felt for a long time that PIP implants had a higher complication and rupture rate than other breast implant makes, it has been difficult to obtain hard data on this.
One of the main reasons for this is that there is no central compulsory system for registering patients who have undergone breast implants, which implants have been used and the complication rates associated with each make of implant.
If such a system had been in place we could have detected the problems associated with PIP breast implants years ago and saved countless women the stress, worry and possible health problems associated with these breast implants.
The NHS has agreed to treat all patients they have treated with PIP implants free of charge. BMI (the largest private medical group in the UK) have recently announced that they will replace any PIP implants inserted in their hospitals without cost to the patient.
Nagor, the principle British manufacturer of breast implants, has announced that it will provide free replacement breast implants for any patient who has been shown to have ruptured PIP implants.
We would call on the surgeons and groups who used PIP implants to treat the women they have treated in the same way.
In our opinion, it is unfair for women who have paid for high grade implants in good faith to have to pay again for further surgery at no fault of their own.
We would therefore call on the surgeons and groups to treat their patients in a fair manner and offer them free appointments and free scans to assess the integrity of their PIP implants. If any of their patients decide to have their implants either removed or replaced we feel it is their duty to offer this treatment free of charge as have the NHS and BMI.
Although Aurora Clinics’ Plastic Surgeons have never used PIP implants, we strongly empathise with the situation that these women now find themselves in. We believe that all Plastic Surgeons have a duty to help restore faith in the industry. As such, we are offering free help and advice via telephone for women worried about PIP implants; free consultations with our dedicated team of Board-approved experts and special cost-price deals for implant removal and replacement using only top quality implants.
Any women with PIP implants who would like Aurora Clinics’ support and possible treatment can contact us on 0800 328 5743 or info@aurora-clinics.co.uk . We have also recorded a series of FAQ videos about PIP implants and links to the latest news, which can be viewed at http://bit.ly/vufuUV .
For further Press information and enquiries regarding PIP implants, implant removal and replacement please contact Adrian Richards (Clinical Director) at info@aurora-clinics.co.uk / 0800 328 5743 .
Aurora Clinics are an expert group of Plastic Surgeons, medical aestheticians and anaesthetists specialising in a broad range of cosmetic and plastic surgery procedures (surgical and non-surgical). The Aurora emphasis is on honesty and openness, with information made publicly available via videos, podcasts, photo galleries, a highly comprehensive website and our past-patient network. We are always keen to work with the public and the Press to broaden awareness about cosmetic surgery, helping prospective patients make a fully informed choice. Visit www.aurora-clinics.co.uk for more information.
Tags: