BANNED PIP BREAST IMPLANTS REBRANDED AND SOLD
It’s a shocking thought that many UK women are still unaware of the possible health risks associated with their PIP implants.
The PIP implant scandal came to light last year when the French manufacturers were banned from producing and selling Poly Implant Prosthese (PIP implants). These particular implants were popular with large cosmetic surgery companies who used the cheap implants to keep their costs to a minimum in order to entice patients into the operating theatre.
Unfortunately, examinations have found the French implants are prone to leak an unknown gel into the surrounding breast tissue. Redness, swelling, lumpiness and discomfort are the main complaints of women who have ruptured PIP implants, many of which have undergone unplanned surgery to remove the gel from their breast tissue and lymph nodes.
Each year it is estimated 5,000 UK women travel abroad for their breast augmentations (“boob jobs”) in order to take advantage of the low cost deals available. Unfortunately this is an example of where going abroad for surgery may cost more in the long run, potentially putting their health at risk.
The results of ongoing tests being carried out by AFSSAPS (the French healthcare regulatory body) will be issued in “early 2011”. These results will determine whether the leaking gel proves to be genotoxic, carrying further health risks to the estimated 50,000 women in the UK with PIP implants. Tests by AFSSAPS have so far found the implants are missing a protective outer shell, that was designed to act as a barrier to stop the gel from leaking. Further tests are being carried out on the gel which was discovered not to be the silicone substance as stated in the manufacturing file.
The French company were banned from producing and selling any further PIP implants in April 2010. Clinica discovered that the mystery PIP implants have since been rebranded and sold under the name M-Implants by Dutch firm Rofil Medical. Alerts were issued by Dutch regulator IGZ to cosmetic clinics using the implants. IGZ alerted cosmetic surgery providers that Breda-based Rofil Medical Nederland had bought PIP’s fraudulent implants and resold them internationally under the name “M-implant”.
This recent scandal has caused new concern; the number of women estimated to be affected by the fraud is likely to be significantly greater than previously thought. Since PIP warnings do not mention the Rofil rebranding, these women remain largely unaccounted for and unprotected in terms of follow-up care. Consultant plastic surgeon Mr James Murphy advises: “These women should seek the advice of a BAAPS consultant plastic surgeon as soon as possible to discuss the best course of action.”
Cosmetic surgery providers abroad have been advertising Rofil silicone gel implants and listing their suppliers on their websites for the last decade. Some of the most popular cosmetic tourism destinations include the Czech Republic, Poland and the far East, even the US.
On the basis that the rebranded implants were deemed not to have been supplied in the UK, the IGZ’s warning was not reissued for the UK. The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) have extended its PIP guidance to Rofil implantees. “The MHRA has no evidence to suggest that any Rofil-branded silicone breast implants were implanted in the UK,” the agency told Clinica. “The MHRA’s remit is to ensure the safety of devices implanted in the UK. We do not therefore consider it necessary to alter our advice.”
The British Association of Plastic Aesthetic Surgeons (BAAPS) are also planning to issue a warning to women in the UK who have travelled abroad for breast enhancement surgery.
Provisional advice for women with PIP implants – whether or not these have ruptured – is to undergo immediate examination to assess the condition of the implant shell, followed by regular checks, including MRI scans. Ruptured implants should be removed immediately; women with one ruptured implant are advised to have both removed.
SaferCosmeticSurgery member Mr Murphy commented on this latest concern: “The rebranding of fraudulent PIP implants is an extremely worrying development in this already disastrous story. It serves to highlight the importance of trusting your surgeon, hospital or clinic and implant manufacturer in this extremely important decision. Breast augmentation is a very competitive area of cosmetic surgery and there is, unfortunately, a perception that the operation should be cheap and easy. Stories such as the PIP scandal serve to highlight the inherent risks of travelling abroad for cosmetic surgery, in the pursuit of cheaper prices.”
Please feel free to contact SaferCosmeticSurgery on 0800 622 6262 for further advice from your nearest BAAPS and/ or BAPRAS member. If you have any concerns regarding your implants we advise you to visit the surgeon who performed your procedure, alternatively arrange a consultation with your nearest experienced BAAPS and/or BAPRAS consultant plastic surgeon for an examination and advice.
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MAN BOOB SURGERY ON THE RISE
It’s the second most popular male cosmetic surgery; after nose reshaping, male breast reduction surgery for ‘moobs’ (man boobs) has become increasingly in demand.
According to the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS), their figures have seen a rather dramatic 28% increase in the number of men coming forward for ‘moob’ (gynaecomastia) cosmetic surgery.
741 gynaecomastia procedures were performed last year by BAAPS members, up from 581 procedures the previous year.
The President elect of BAAPS explained that 30% of men who seek surgery to reduce their moobs are actually sent away with advice to improve their diet and exercise before going under the knife.
Increasingly, men are feeling pressured by the media to look a certain way, as much as women are. Men often work out to try to achieve a “wash board” stomach and rock hard pecs but even with a healthy diet and regular exercise regime, some men struggle with stubborn areas of fat, making it impossible to define those areas! Male breast reduction surgery can be performed with either liposuction techniques or excision of the excess fat. Please click here for further information on male breast reduction techniques.
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COSMETIC SURGERY DANGERS - LIBERATE SURGEONS RESPOND!
Don’t BYPASS, Liberate!!!
Following the tragic and unnecessary death of the young woman who opted for buttock enhancement by two so-called cosmetic surgeons, it is clear that women are paying the ultimate price in the pursuit of bodily perfection.
It is clear today that people need to be better informed about the risks and possible complications of cosmetic surgery. To help address this issue, a new group of 40 plastic and cosmetic surgeons who are all members of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons (BAAPS) and/or British Association of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons (BAPRAS) have created an organisation called Liberate which will be launched to the public in March 2011.
Liberate is designed as a service that “liberates” the consumer by giving them access to an actual cosmetic surgeon from the very first consultation and through the entire process including aftercare. The service allows the client to get to know the surgeon before the operation allowing them to make an informed and responsible choice. The Liberate slogan ‘BYPASS’ – Before You Pay, Ask to See Surgeon - highlights the need for individuals opting to have cosmetic surgery to take control and be confident in their decision for cosmetic procedures.
A new survey conducted by Liberate clearly shows the need for women to be better informed about the dangers of cosmetic surgery and the importance of knowing the qualifications and experience of their surgeon. Liberate surveyed 3000 women between the ages of 18-34 and even though 74% felt it was important to know and see your surgeon throughout the course of treatment, the reality is that 30% of women who had surgery NEVER saw their surgeon at all. The Liberate survey also highlights the need for women to be better informed of the dangers of cosmetic surgery abroad and in the UK. A staggering 39% admitted that they would consider having surgery abroad if it was cheaper.
Whilst 21 year old Claudia Adeseye Aderotimi is not the only woman to have suffered serious damage after seeking to enhance her appearance with cosmetic surgery, former Miss Argentina Solange Magnano, mother of two died in November 2009 in Buenos Aires, due to complications following buttock implants and there have also been recent cases in the UK.
Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon John Pereira, a member of Safer Cosmetic Surgery and a founder member of Liberate, said:
"Claudia Aderotimi's death is yet another tragic example of the desperate lengths young people will go to in the pursuit of the perfect body. The media is partially responsible for trivialising the risk and potential dangers of cosmetic procedures with trends such as ‘Lunch-Time Fixes’. Cosmetic surgery is a medical surgical procedure and it should be treated as such. Research into the background and qualifications of the surgeon is critical for patient’s safety. Even in the UK, I think people would be surprised to know that any doctor regardless of their qualifications can call themselves a cosmetic surgeon. With Liberate and other associations addressing the need for the public to make more informed choices, perhaps such consequences can be avoided in the future."
Without the tools needed to make responsible choices cosmetic surgery can end up costing people financially, physically and psychologically, Liberate aims to give people the power to choose, providing them with a new and safer approach to cosmetic surgery.
Liberate will be launched in March 2011. For more information, please visit www.safercosmeticsurgery.co.uk
For media enquiries contact: Lynne Thomas at Flipside PR, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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LOOK AT YOUR MOTHER-IN-LAW TO FIND OUT WHAT YOUR GIRLFRIEND WILL LOOK LIKE IN 25 YEARS!
The Daily Mail focused on the traits our mothers pass down to us: the good and the bad! The Daily Mail asked SaferCosmeticSurgery members Mr John Pereira and Mr Paul Banwell for their expert opinions on inheriting your mother’s features!
Mr Paul Banwell explained: ‘It’s possible up to 50 per cent of ageing may be inherited from your mother or father. However, the most important factors are the things you don’t inherit, such as sun exposure, smoking and your stress levels.’
Consultant Plastic Surgeon Mr John Pereira agrees: “If you want to know what your wife will look like in 25 years, look at her mother”, and that’s pretty much true when it comes to how the structure of the face will change with time.’
COMMON COMPLAINTS
‘The inherited features my patients complain about are a turkey neck and extra skin or fat on the upper and lower eyelids. The phrase “I’m turning into my mother” is often the opening line in a consultation.’ reveals Mr John Pereira.
Can I change the process or am I doomed to a future of wrinkles, loose skin and a turkey neck?
Do you want the good news or the bad news? The bad news is: 50 percent of ageing is out of our control, the good news is: problems your mother had to live with can be prevented or reversed.
COMPLICATED COMPLEXION
The Daily Mail quizzed a dermatologist on how we can tackle an uneven complexion and pigmentation. With the right skin care regime and controlling the amount of sun exposure, you can make a huge difference to your skin’s complexion.
Top tip for skin complexion:
Wear a moisturiser with sunscreen every day even in winter. If possible opt for a salon plant based acid peel to help balance your pigmentation.
STOP THE WRINKLES
A specialist cosmetic doctor warned us of the destructive effects sun and smoking have on the collagen in our skin. Without collagen we lose the plumpness in our face and are left with a wrinkled leathery looking face.
Are you prone to more wrinkles?
Pale dry skin tends to wrinkle more as it is usually thinner and lacking in sebum. Sebum is found in oily skin containing plenty of vitamin E, an antioxidant used to protect the skin.
Skin often thins and wrinkles after the menopause as hormone levels of oestrogen drop, the bad news: you are likely to have an early menopause if your mother did.
Top tips to stop the wrinkles setting in:
Avoiding sun and smoking, ensure you maintain good levels of antioxidants, such as vitamins A and C in your diet.
Wrinkles are part of the ageing process and unfortunately we cannot stop them, however, if you would like to improve those deep set ageing lines and wrinkles, contact your nearest experienced plastic surgeon. With the use of Botox and dermal fillers, your surgeon will rejuvenate your appearance to plump up the skin for a natural result.
SAVE SAGGY SKIN
Good or bad, we inherit the structure of our parents’ face. Jowls, eye bags and sunken cheeks are the most common signs of ageing and often are the features people concentrate on before concluding that you look more tired than usual!
As we age, the fat, muscle and even bone shrink causing our skin to sag and features around the eyes to hollow out. A decrease in collagen and elastin levels causes our skin to become less firm and more saggy and loose.
Top tip for saggy skin:
Rebuild collagen in your skin with products containing vitamin A and C to plump and firm the skin.
Is there a treatment?
Painful but effective; dermaroller treatment is used to create collagen and thicken skin by puncturing the skin with ultrafine needles on a roller.
DARK CIRCLES
Dark circles under the eyes make us look tired and age us significantly. Generally most cases are genetic and out of our hands, however smoking, drinking too much and not getting enough sleep can make them look worse. They are caused by pigmentation or because fragile skin thins and the blood vessels become visible.
How can I improve my dark circles so I look less tired?
Ensure you get your eight hours of sleep a night. If your dark circles are caused by blood leaking from capillaries, specialists recommend a cream containing vitamin K to help strengthen the capillary wall.
A trip to your beauty salon for a facial can improve the appearance of dark circles by stimulating blood circulation and lymphatic drainage.
The dark circles under the eyes are sometimes caused by a shadow from hollows around the eyes. If a good night’s sleep and a facial don’t help your tired look, filler treatment with an experienced plastic surgeon can usually improve your appearance.
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PAUL BANWELL FEATURED IN SHE MAGAZINE FOR TRANSFORMING A WOMAN’S LIFE
Consultant Plastic and Cosmetic Surgeon Mr Paul Banwell was featured in the February Edition of SHE magazine. His patient, Susan, a London Sales Manager, confessed to the magazine about her labiaplasty surgery and the difficulties she faced before her procedure. Susan, 37, struggled on a daily basis with the discomfort of having large labia. As we hit our teenage years we pick up on things that make us different however for Susan it became a self conscious issue. Embarrassed, she kept her concerns a secret from friends and family, making relationships difficult.
By her thirties her labia had become larger and began affecting her exercise regimes, ‘Yes, I was uncomfortable after the gym, but I didn’t realise there was anything I could do about it.’
It was only after watching a documentary about embarrassing body issues that Susan heard of labiaplasty surgery. Labiaplasty is a procedure to reduce the size of the labia. Following six months of research she plucked up the courage to visit her GP. Although a number of women suffer with large labia, labiaplasty surgery is not available on the NHS and is classed as a cosmetic procedure. After more homework on the procedure, Susan met with Mr Paul Banwell, member of SaferCosmeticSurgery, for an initial consultation to discuss her concerns. She had not considered any other cosmetic surgery before and decided to go ahead with the procedure to finally ease her discomfort.
After years of keeping quiet Susan confided in a close friend who supported her decision to go ahead with the procedure. The operation itself only took about an hour but Susan says it has changed her life: “I was very swollen but I could tell straight away that what I’d wanted had been done. I was so elated I almost felt giddy. Everytime I looked down I was thrilled.”
If you have a concern that you would like to discuss with an experienced plastic surgeon in confidence, please visit our surgeons’ page to locate your nearest SaferCosmeticSurgery member, alternatively you can send your questions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
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SECRET X FACTOR JUDGES' GIFTS: BOTOX GIFT VOUCHERS - COURTESY OF SIMON COWELL
How many times have we heard the rumours that Simon Cowell has topped up with Botox, teeth whitening and cosmetic surgery?
We have all been hooked to the recent series of the X Factor, however a source has revealed the ‘Thank you’ gifts that were handed out by boss Simon Cowell as a sign of his appreciation were £3,000 worth of Botox gift vouchers.
The source told the Mirror recently, Simon thought it was ‘hilarious’ to hand his co-judges the vouchers, he opted for this ‘joke’ present as all three can buy almost anything they want for themselves!
As Matt Cardle and the rest of the finalists celebrated, Simon received a ‘clip round the ear’ from not so impressed Dannii Minogue and Cheryl Cole.
Apparently Louis Walsh was ‘delighted’ with his 3 free sessions of treatment! This doesn’t come as much of a shock as we found out not so long ago Louis Walsh has previously indulged in Botox and eye lid surgery.
What did your parents always say…it’s the thought that counts!
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