POSTED UNDER Breast Implant Revision REVIEWS
2006 augmentation followed by assymetry revision and then discovery of PIP rupture.
ORIGINAL POST
Hello there! Firstly, I just wanted to actually...
Hello there!
Firstly, I just wanted to actually make a start on this as I keep posting all over other comment threads and was asked by admin to start a page of my own. Makes sense really, as it would save me constantly repeating myself! Plus, I've learnt so much while doing my research, that I'd really like to be able to help others who may be as anxious as I was at the start of this dreadful experience.
I am just going to be a little lazy and copy-paste some of my previous utterings as I am quite busy at the mo and preparing for my surgery five days time - argh! Will write back here and there as I find the time to add to this and will, of course, keep you all posted on the final results of my surgery and (hopefully) the end of my journey!
Thanks for reading and good luck yourselves!
Firstly, I just wanted to actually make a start on this as I keep posting all over other comment threads and was asked by admin to start a page of my own. Makes sense really, as it would save me constantly repeating myself! Plus, I've learnt so much while doing my research, that I'd really like to be able to help others who may be as anxious as I was at the start of this dreadful experience.
I am just going to be a little lazy and copy-paste some of my previous utterings as I am quite busy at the mo and preparing for my surgery five days time - argh! Will write back here and there as I find the time to add to this and will, of course, keep you all posted on the final results of my surgery and (hopefully) the end of my journey!
Thanks for reading and good luck yourselves!
Replies (5)
UPDATED FROM Yvette75
5 days post
Ruptured PIP implants
OK, so here goes, from the start - I'll try to be brief while I get up to date! Back in '06 I had implants through Harley's Dublin clinic. I chose the company as they seemed to be one of the most reputable at the time. Some months after surgery I became increasingly concerned with the asymmetry which remained within the two breasts. I had other issues with the way in which my case was handled, namely that I felt I was not given appropriate attention in the initial 'choosing’ bit of my consultation. I eventually wrote to the clinic and clarified all of the issues I felt had contributed towards this asymmetry and also that the implants did not seem to fill out my frame well enough. The clinic grumbled about this and that but agreed to do a revision and twelve months on from my initial surgery I was operated on again, at my request, by a different surgeon. This time the asymmetry was evened out as well as possible with two slightly different sized implants and I went up approx 100cc. These seemed to fit my frame nicely and over the years they relaxed into what was quite a nice natural shape. Most people were surprised that when they found out they were not authentic. My scars healed almost invisibly also, so i was finally, pleased.
Jump forward seven years and in winter 2012 when the news broke about PIP implants, I decided to contact the clinic as I realised that I fell between the time frame which had the high likelihood for my implants to be PIP. Unfortunately I heard back that this was indeed the case. I was sent for an ultrasound via the NHS and advised that the implants were still intact and, for now, to leave them alone unless I felt any changes. I wasn't really sure how I felt about all of this and so I think I probably put it to the back of my mind for the most part.
In October 2015, on my 40th birthday no less, I was in the shower and suddenly felt a large protruding lump near the bottom of my armpit/ poking out of my left breast. Obviously i was alarmed by this and made an appointment to see the GP who immediately referred me to the one stop breast clinic. Within a fortnight I was seen and thoroughly examined with both mammogram and ultrasound. I was advised there and then that my implants “needed to come out” as soon as possible. There wasn’t a lot else the consultant gave me to go by other than “look on the internet’ and i felt quite selfish sitting there crying when there were other women awaiting far worse news than myself.
I was offered removal on the NHS but I felt horrified at having nothing left other than two empty sacks of skin. I am aware there are plenty of women who chose to have the implants removed, but this just doesn’t feel like something i could live with as they have become such a part of “ME”. I then went away and spent several weeks scouring the internet, fretting and getting more and more anxious at some of the horror stories I was reading. Yeah great advice from the consultant to “look on the internet”! It was worsened once I received my full report which stated all the details of my PIPs.
In brief: right implant was leaking and there were silicone laden lymph nodes and on the left there was extensive extra-capsular rupture, with considerable silicone laden lymph nodes. This is the side where the enlarged node initially alerted me that something was wrong.
Some of the worst horror stories I happened upon which related to my report, suggested that I might be left ‘mutilated’ (possibly the worst word you’d want to happen across!) and that I wouldn’t be able to have new implants fitted at the same time as the explant.
With only the internet to go by, I was getting more and more anxious. I booked myself in with three different surgeons and then waited a couple of weeks to see them. I tried to ban myself from reading the internet but it didn’t always work!
Anyway, I will sign off for now and write again soon with the results of my consultations and surgery, which was completed a few days ago.
Not sure if I need to write that as a separate review so I’ll try and figure this out! Maybe I’ve started this the wrong way! Thanks for everyone’s kind messages and comments by the way :)
Jump forward seven years and in winter 2012 when the news broke about PIP implants, I decided to contact the clinic as I realised that I fell between the time frame which had the high likelihood for my implants to be PIP. Unfortunately I heard back that this was indeed the case. I was sent for an ultrasound via the NHS and advised that the implants were still intact and, for now, to leave them alone unless I felt any changes. I wasn't really sure how I felt about all of this and so I think I probably put it to the back of my mind for the most part.
In October 2015, on my 40th birthday no less, I was in the shower and suddenly felt a large protruding lump near the bottom of my armpit/ poking out of my left breast. Obviously i was alarmed by this and made an appointment to see the GP who immediately referred me to the one stop breast clinic. Within a fortnight I was seen and thoroughly examined with both mammogram and ultrasound. I was advised there and then that my implants “needed to come out” as soon as possible. There wasn’t a lot else the consultant gave me to go by other than “look on the internet’ and i felt quite selfish sitting there crying when there were other women awaiting far worse news than myself.
I was offered removal on the NHS but I felt horrified at having nothing left other than two empty sacks of skin. I am aware there are plenty of women who chose to have the implants removed, but this just doesn’t feel like something i could live with as they have become such a part of “ME”. I then went away and spent several weeks scouring the internet, fretting and getting more and more anxious at some of the horror stories I was reading. Yeah great advice from the consultant to “look on the internet”! It was worsened once I received my full report which stated all the details of my PIPs.
In brief: right implant was leaking and there were silicone laden lymph nodes and on the left there was extensive extra-capsular rupture, with considerable silicone laden lymph nodes. This is the side where the enlarged node initially alerted me that something was wrong.
Some of the worst horror stories I happened upon which related to my report, suggested that I might be left ‘mutilated’ (possibly the worst word you’d want to happen across!) and that I wouldn’t be able to have new implants fitted at the same time as the explant.
With only the internet to go by, I was getting more and more anxious. I booked myself in with three different surgeons and then waited a couple of weeks to see them. I tried to ban myself from reading the internet but it didn’t always work!
Anyway, I will sign off for now and write again soon with the results of my consultations and surgery, which was completed a few days ago.
Not sure if I need to write that as a separate review so I’ll try and figure this out! Maybe I’ve started this the wrong way! Thanks for everyone’s kind messages and comments by the way :)
Replies (2)

January 15, 2016
Just to add to this, I was residing in the Republic of Ireland when I had my first two ops, I had moved back to the UK when I discovered the implants were PIP. Harley then folded their Irish branch of the company completely and hence I could not claim any compensation or replacement. The next part of my journey involves looking for a suitable surgeon here in Manchester and having to borrow money from family to get them seen to asap!
...Back soon!
...Back soon!

October 30, 2016
Just reading this brings back memories of my own experience (though I was lucky to not have PIP implants and had intracapsular leak). You have described exactly how I felt- guilt at the breast clinic, fear when reading the horror stories.... I'll read on with interest xx
I'm so excited you started your review. I see you had your original BA about 9 years ago: 5/27/2006. If you don't mind, I am going to put your current breast implant revision date in your review: 1/8/16. If you would like this any differently, let me know and I'd be happy to help. Hoping your surgery goes well today. Can't wait for your updates...what type and size implants you're getting, etc. We'll be thinking of you!
Hope everything went well! Take it easy during your recovery while moving!
I'd be happy to help you out. I will send you a PM with details on how to do this. Check your inbox for a message from me!