Are Meme silicone breast implants from Bristol Myers Squibb from 1989 still under warranty? (Photo)

Question

One of my silicone breast implants is perforated. I have been trying to find out if they are still under warantee but since the manufacturer (Bristol Myer Squibb) discontinued the implants shortly after my surgery (December 1989), I`ve been unable to find any information on the web. Can you tell me if the surgery that I will have to undergo to remove them can be covered by any warranty or class action suit?

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

I found a reference (Jun 15, 1995) in the archives of UPI.com to a class-action suit under such names as Meme, Replicon, Optimam, Natural 'Y' and Surgitek.  The lawyers for a group of Ontario and Quebec women with breast implants announced Tuesday they have won a $20. 3 million settlement from Bristol-Myers Squibb, a leading U.S. manufacturer of silicone implants.  You might search for it on the web. Contacting one of the law firms involved in the settlement might be able to provide you with more information.Recommend that you replace your Meme implants with either Allergan, Mentor, or Sientra that typically carry a lifetime warranty for mechanical disruption or rupture. But don’t confuse the warranty time-frame, with the life of your implants.  Your breast implants may develop problems in 10 years or less.
Kenneth Hughes, MD, Board Certified Plastic Surgeon
Los Angeles, CA

Connie Hiers, MD, FACS · Answer

No, the meme implants of 1989 are not under warranty and have not been made in a very long time. If they are ruptured and this can be proven by X ray, some insurance companies may cover removal only. You would need to contact your insurance company to see if this is a possibility. Most companies no longer cover anything to do with breast implants since they were originally placed for cosmetic reasons. Also, time has expired for any class action suit for old meme implants.

Are Meme silicone breast implants from Bristol Myers Squibb from 1989 still under warranty? (Photo)

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Are Meme silicone breast implants from Bristol Myers Squibb from 1989 still under warranty? (Photo)

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Everything you need to know about Breast Implant Removal

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.