Breast augmentation record retention?

My practice documents in each patient record the implant manufacturer name, number of CCs, date of implant insertion, and serial number. This information is used should an implant require removal and replacement.  The staff at the plastic surgeon's office that performed your breast augmentation should be able to give you a copy of this information.Records are generally archived for seven years from the date of surgery, but this policy may vary from surgeon to surgeon.   Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic SurgeonLos Angeles, CA

I am sorry to hear that you are experiencing a deflated implant.  To answer your question regarding how long Doctors are required to keep your chart information is 7 years from your last visit.  Many surgeons will keep the serial number and implant information for patients longer, you would have to check with your implanting surgeon.  If you may be able to contact the surgical facility you used for your surgery to obtain a copy of your operative report which will have the implant information.  Lastly, you could have your surgery to replace the deflated implant and once it is removed it can be identified by the manufacturer which can then be sent in for evaluation and hopefully some reimbursement for you.  Good luck.

In general doctors offices are required to keep the health information for 7 years from the last date of the medical service.  However, usually implant information is given to the patient the day of surgery in the form of a card resembling a credit card.If your doctor doesn't have the information, any other physician you see can get the information for you from the implant manufacturer.Hope that helps.

Dear jenny_1980,your record should contain the serial number of your implants and manufacturer. But every plastic surgery office has a different policy so it would be the best to get in touch with your plastic surgeon and check it. Daniel Barrett, MD, MHA, MS 
Certified, American Board of Plastic Surgery  
Member, Am. Society of Plastic Surgery

In general, 7 years is about right. However, we do a lot of secondary surgery where the patient does not have access to their records or their surgery was 20 + years ago. We use the remaining intact saline implant as a guide in surgery.  Does the patient want to be the same, smaller or bigger.  Choose your board-certified plastic surgeon carefully and make sure they have plenty of experience with replacment of deflated implants. Best wishes.

Hi,
We have to keep patient records for 7 years. Patients are supose to be given a card on their breast implants that has the size, reference number, and serial number. When I get rid of my patients charts, my staff inputs the implant information into the patients account in the medical software program we use. Many patients come back to their implanting surgeon for an implant exchange and that can take longer than 7 years. So I would call your implanting surgeon they may have your implant info. still. If you went through mentor they may be able to look you up in their system. After a breast augmentation we fax a patient information sheet with the implant info. to mentor as well. That is if your surgeons office faxed your information to Mentor. Best wishes!