What to do

If you have PiP breast implants, or are worried that you might have them, there are a number of things you should do:

• Find out whether you actually do have PiP implants. You can find this out from your medical notes, which your GP or clinic will have. The NHS is already in the process of sending out letters to women who had a PiP implant on the NHS.


• Speak to doctor or surgeon without delay. If you had your PiP implants on the NHS, you should speak to your specialist or GP. If you had them done privately, you should speak to your clinic.


• We recommend that you request a scan from your doctor or surgeon. This is because some women have been found to have ruptured breast implants, even though they have shown no symptoms. A scan will help to confirm whether or not a rupture has occurred.


• Speak to your doctor or surgeon about what to do next.


• For those who decide with their doctor that they want to have their implants replaced, the NHS will do it for free if the original operation was done on the NHS. However, if the original operation was performed in a private clinic you will need to speak to your clinic to see if they will replace them for free.


• If a private clinic no longer exists or refuses to carry out the breast implant removal, the Government is advising women to speak to their GP. The NHS will remove the implants if the doctor agrees, but the NHS will not replace implants unless it is clinically necessary.


• We also recommend that you speak to a solicitor, to find out whether you are entitled to compensation.


• Don't forget - if you are in need of moral support, you can always get in touch with members of the PiP Implants Scotland group, through our FaceBook page.