well hi everybody,
i really hate to appear to be only saying bad things about Suporn's clinic, but, i'm french, so in my country
the PIP implants scandal was a very big thing, and
the government made some recommendations (in English)
well i have just been told that Sophie (Suporn's secretary
whom i've already had some issues with ) has replied this message to a former patient:
Quote
Dear [XXXX]
Thank you for writing. I can understand your concern, and can confirm that your implants are [...] manufactured by PIP. However, please do not worry unnecessarily, or act without careful consideration, because there is no official evidence that suggests the situation is as serious as the press is currently making out. We have 99 patients with PIP implants since 2006, only one of whom has reported having any problems. That is no different a rate than those patients of ours who have had Eurosilicone implants fitted, and no different than the global average.
Please see the following, for guidance, and please let me know if you would like any further information or guidance. Please do not worry - just relax. If you have no signs, you have nothing to be immediately concerned about.
Best Wishes, and Happy New Year
Sophie
in other words, "yes, your implants come from that factory whose boss was jailed because they contain unauthorized dangerous substances, but just relax, it will not be
IMMEDIATELY a problem" ...
i presonally love the "
there is no official evidence that suggests the situation is as serious as the press is currently making out" sentence,
i'm not sure that suporn's clinic doesn't inform patient unless they ask, so just in case you didn't know, there you go ...
here is the 2nd part of the mail for those concerned:
Quote
Advice for Patients who have undergone Breast Implant surgery (Augmentation Mammoplasty) by Dr Suporn
The following advice is offered to all patients, who have undergone breast implant surgery, and is applicable irrespective of the manufacturer of the implants, or the size, shape, style or filling used.
All implants comprise an outer capsule filled with a medium intended to simulate the tissue and movement of a natural breast. The capsule is typically filled with saline fluid, silicone gel, or less often – silicone fluid. All implants inserted by Dr Suporn are of seamless construction, filled with a cohesive silicone gel. A cohesive gel means that if rupture of the outer capsule does occur (very unlikely) the filling remains as a single substance, rather than breaking up into droplets – as a fluid or liquid would tend to do. Cohesive gels are considered by some to be the "safest", because even in the event of a rupture, any leakage that might occur is very slow, and does not break away from the remainder of the filling substance.
All implants - no matter who they are made by - carry some potential risk of spontaneous rupture.
All implants undergo exhaustive testing (as far as is possible) by the manufacturer, to ensure the risk of rupture is as low as possible. That risk increases, the longer the prostheses have been inserted. Typically those with a "seamless" capsule are less likely to rupture than those with a seam. Notwithstanding - no implant is completely immune from the possibility of rupture.
Signs of potential rupture may be detected by examination.
Examination
We advise every patient with implants should undergo regular examination as follows:
Self-Examination
Individuals should examine their own breasts at monthly intervals, and look for the following signs, or changes:
1. Redness or inflammation
2. Change of size or shape of either breast
3. Change of symmetry of breasts
4. Unusual formation of lumps or hardness
If any of the foregoing is noticed, make an appointment with your own physician for a more detailed examination. The symptoms above might indicate implant rupture, or they could also be indicative of another, possibly minor, complication.
Annual Examination
Once each year, all patients with implants are advised to undergo a more detailed routine examination by their own physician, using mammogram, ultrasound or similar techniques to look for any potential issues with their implants. If problems are found, corrective action might be necessary. That corrective action might – or might not – require removal of the implants. If corrective action is suggested by your own physician, the following defines the Suporn Clinic's policy with respect to replacement:
Implant Replacement
The following is our present position, but is under while further studies are conducted at government level:
Essential Replacement
We would consider any case where a rupture is detected, or strongly suspected, to indicate that replacement or surgical investigation is essential. In all such cases where the implants have been in place for less than 10 years, the Suporn Clinic would undertake "free of charge" (1) removal and/or replacement of implants previously inserted by Dr Suporn.
Essential Replacement Price
Free of Charge
Voluntary Removal or Replacement
Individuals who wish voluntary to have their implants removed, for which the need does not fall within the category of "Essential Replacement" (as defined above) will be required to bear all costs associated with any operation. Those costs will include the costs of surgeon's fees, anaesthetist's fees, operation room fees, hospitalisation, medication, nursing care and administration.
Removal Price
Until further notice the price of voluntary removal (no implants re-inserted) is 80, 000 Baht.
Replacement Price
The price of replacement (removal, and new implants inserted) is the same as the prevailing price of primary Augmentation Mammoplasty (currently (December 2011) - 180, 000 Baht)
Factors to be considered regarding removal, or replacement
When considering whether to undergo voluntary removal, or replacement, patients are advised to consider the following:
1. If existing implants are not causing any problems, there is no reason to assume that they will do so, at some time in the future. One should consider strongly the saying "If it isn't broken, don't fix it".
2. Replacement implants will still carry a risk of rupture in the future. None can be guaranteed to last for ever.
3. Every operation under general anaesthesia imposes some new degree of risk to the patient.
4. Breast implant removal and replacement carries the following risks (among others) that should be considered before deciding voluntarily to remove or replace existing implants:
a. Asymmetry Although some degree of asymmetry is perfectly natural, after a secondary implant operation, it is more difficult to guarantee to ensure that symmetry will not be unnaturally marked and noticeable.
b. Scarring Implant removal and replacement is done via a sub-mammary incision (in the folds underneath the breast) so patients have to accept that an external scar will result, and might be visible.
c. Breast Firmness Some firmness of the breasts can occur after breast implants removal surgery due to internal scarring. The occurrence of this is not predictable.
d. Capsular Contraction The risk of capsular contraction (hardening of the internal scar tissue) is increased with a second or subsequent breast implant operation. Its occurrence cannot be predicted.
e. Breast Numbness There is a renewed risk of breast numbness, with a subsequent removal/replacement operation.
f. Need for Breast Lift/ Psychological Effects Breast removal may cause significant loss of breast volume, distortion, and wrinkling of the skin. Your appearance may be worse than prior to your cosmetic surgery for the placement of the breast implants. This negative effect on your physical appearance may lead to psychological disturbances, including depression.
Our general advice to all patients is not to worry unnecessarily. Just have regular examinations done as advised and – if nothing is found – to leave alone. Consider replacement after the implants have been inserted 10 years, but not before.
Notes:
(1) Free of Charge is taken to mean that the Suporn Clinic will bear all costs associated with undergoing the operation, including surgeon's fees, anaesthetist's fees, operation room fees, hospitalisation, medication, nursing care and administration, but the patient is responsible for all other costs including travel to the Clinic, and accommodation, food and lodging outside hospital.
(of course, this is a standard copy/paste, and sentences such as "
All implants undergo exhaustive testing (as far as is possible) by the manufacturer" do not apply to PIP, obviously.)
