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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask my mother to help me financially to have my PIP implants removed?

75 replies

RainbowSheep · 26/12/2011 19:11

I had breast implants 8 years ago. Since then DH and I have suffered badly with the recession and lost our house. We are working hard to get back on track but finding it a real struggle. I found out last week that the implants I had were infact PIP implants and I'm worried but can't afford to have them removed. My mum is very well off but hasn't offered to help financially, aibu to ask?

OP posts:
Original poster
RainbowSheep · 26/12/2011 19:48

I do have a good relationship with her and she does know they are PIP implants, she seemed concerned but didn't offer to help pay so I wasn't sure whether I would be unreasonable to ask her

OP posts:
Original poster
RainbowSheep · 26/12/2011 19:49

I would feel very embarassed to ask her TBH

OP posts:
ClaraSage · 26/12/2011 19:50

Good on you for b. feeding, sis (very strained relationship, so I am very careful around her) told me it was impossible to b.feed.
Talk to you Mum, she may very well help.
Good luck.

TooImmatureTurtleDoves · 26/12/2011 19:53

TBH, I would go to my mum in this situation. I know some people would flame me for it (in RL as well as on here) but she would want to help and I know she can afford to do so - in fact, she'd probably be on to me asking what type my (hypothetical) implants were the instant the story hit the papers. It would be different if your mum wasn't in a financial position to help, but that doesn't apply here. I think the advice to get the implants checked out by ultrasound is great, though - then you can get an informed opinion and take it from there. Hopefully they will be fine and you won't need to do anything.

Original poster
RainbowSheep · 26/12/2011 19:55

I breastfed 3DC's for a year each and had no problems whatsover, I always understood there wouldn't be problems, I wouldn't have had them if I had thought it may have stopped me breastfeeding in the future if I chose to

OP posts:
FabbyChic · 26/12/2011 19:55

To be fair you yourself paid for cosmetic surgery to enhance your beasts I'd never expect a parent to help me out with something like that, if you are concerned talk to your Gp about them, if they do leak then you will be seen under the NHS.

You wanted bigger tits, you live with them.

meditrina · 26/12/2011 19:55

I think you need to see a surgeon, establish the state of the implants, and what (if anything) needs to be done, when, and what it will cost.

I think you will need to stand the cost of the initial consultation yourself; and have a think about financing any further procedures when you have a proper idea of the medical risk/benefits as they apply to you, plus the actual sum you need to find.

But if you do decide to ask, be ready to take no for an answer; she is not obliged to make any contribution at all.

midori1999 · 26/12/2011 19:56

I also have PIP implants and will not be having them removed or changed unless there's a problem. I don't want further surgery when I feel I don't need it and my outlook as well as my health has changed since I had the implants. Your GP may arrange an ultrasound for you. I have had an ultrasound done but not related to my implants as such but because I am breastfeeding and having recurrent mastitis.

AFAIK, the 'links to cancer' are that eight women (out of tens of thousands) with these implants have got cancer associated with the lymph nodes. UK testing has shown these PIP implants not to be carcinogenic.

Oh, and people always say breast implants need replacing every 10-15 years which is not true these days.

MmeReindor · 26/12/2011 20:05

Fabby
I normally ignore your nonsense, but I really cannot ignore this.

She wanted bigger breasts, she did not want an increased cancer risk.

Rainbow
Talk to your mum. Tell her that you are going to speak to a doc about the implants but are not sure how much it would cost to have them replace and are worried you might not be able to afford it.

You can ask if she would loan you the money so that you can repay her rather than asking her for the money outright, if you think she would prefer that.

NinkyNonker · 26/12/2011 20:11

I would ask.

meditrina · 26/12/2011 20:11

Breast implants can fail/rupture the very day after they are implanted. Many rupture from the 10 year point onwards. FDA advice in US is to seethe implanting surgeon fo scans 3 years after implantation, and every two years thereafter, as leakage from silicon implants (like PIPs) can be symptomless.

OP: have you been having these checks? When was the most recent?

malakadoush · 26/12/2011 20:12

I'd ask your mum but broach it in a way that makes it clear you have no expectations.

Flabby - what a ridiculous post!

If it were one of my DDs I'd want to help.

Original poster
RainbowSheep · 26/12/2011 20:13

I've never had any check, as they are cohesive (firm jelly all the way through rather than liquid filled) the surgeon told me they are vey unlikely to leak or rupture...

OP posts:
sleeplessinseatle · 26/12/2011 20:24

Fabby, you are just lovely.

Just because the OP 'wanted bigger tits' doesnt mean OP's mother should live with her child having possibly increased cancer risk or even just mental anguish of thinking she has. OP's mother, if anything like most mothers, will want to put (yes even grown up) child's mental and physical health first, and believe her commitment to looking out for her children doesnt end when they turn 18.

OP, if you think she can afford it, and it wouldn't ruin your relationship with her, ask her.

BigHairyGruffalo · 26/12/2011 20:48

I don't agree with Fabby's post, but I know people who would. I would want to help out any DD of mine that encountered these problems, but my family wouldn't, for them it would depend on circumstances.

Eg, If I had got the implants as part of reconstructive surgery, I know they would be throwing money at me and not ever expecting it back. However, if I had them for cosmetic purposes, they wouldn't be offering money. I could probably ask for a loan, but they would treat it like any other request for a loan (ie if they wouldn't lend that amount of money to buy a car/deposit for a house/uni fees, then I wouldn't get special treatment).

Sorry, that was a really long-winded way of me asking; does you Mum have a moral issue with the implants?

Could you consider a loan?

sashh · 27/12/2011 05:23

There is only a potential problem if they rupture and the rupture rates are the same as for other implants. As long as they have not ruptured there is no scientific reason to have them removed.

Having said that there may be psychological reasons and oonly you and your Dr can decide that.

sleeplessinseatle · 27/12/2011 11:07

Although UK studies of women havent shown PIP implants to have a 'disproportionately' higher rupture rate, French tests have - at 5%. The implants have also been shown to be more likely to rupture in lab tests.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-16311763

LydiaWickham · 27/12/2011 11:31

Could you talk to your GP and ask them to recommend a local clinic (accepting you'll probably have to pay) to have them checked.

A lot of private clinics do payment plans if your mum can't help but you really want to get them changed ASAP.

Don't worry, the risks are very small.

HowAboutAHotCupOfShutTheHellUp · 27/12/2011 13:37

I had PIPs and after reading about the first bout of news reports last year I had an MRI and one had ruptured. I had them removed on the NHS and six months later replaced privately by the same surgeon who removed them.

Get in touch with the original surgeon, he may be willing to remove them for free (he may ask you pay towards the anaesthetist). Even if mine hadn't ruptured I would have had them removed so I u/stand you entirely.

Good luck.

Oh and Fabby, you are an arse.

kylietokaren · 27/12/2011 13:45

YANBU. Absolutely ask your mum. If she can afford it and she loves you (which I am sure she does) then it should be no problem. Make sure that you have new ones put in at the same time, though. And don't feel bad - none of this is your fault. You have done nothing wrong.

Oh, and ignore Fabbychic. She is bitter and twisted. And probably jealous of your fabulous breasts Grin.

catsareevil · 27/12/2011 13:49

Can you remember who the surgeon was who put them in in the first place? And if so could you arrange an appointment to speak to them about the best way forward?

belgo · 27/12/2011 13:52

I never knew the life span was 10 years, what happens after 10 years?

sleeplessinseatle · 27/12/2011 14:34

10 years is around the average time you're likely to need to replace them. boobjobsupportforum.forumotion.co.uk/t17762-women-can-t-keep-breast-implants-for-life-fda

Also, its interesting to read the US press... a friend of mine was reassured the USA hadn't recalled the implants, as the FDA seem to err on the side of caution. But, in fact, PIP implants were never sold in the USA. www.baltimoresun.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-breast-implants-france-safety--20111221,0,2167071.story

US press are also reporting that the head of PIP is wanted by Interpol for 'health and life' offences www.baltimoresun.com/health/boostershots/la-heb-breast-implants-france-safety--20111221,0,2167071.story

Ok, spending far too long reading up on this now. Bye for a bit x

belgo · 27/12/2011 14:46

thank you.

FabbyChic · 27/12/2011 14:50

With all cosmetic surgery comes risks, when you go under the knife those are the risks you accept.

It is not a necessary procedure you cannot blame it on the NHS or a medical professional as you chose to have that surgery.

If you chose to and something crops up later you yourself have to deal with the consequences. Her mother clearly feels the same.

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