UK victims of boob-job flops want SA doc to pay up

08 April 2012 - 02:16 By IAN EVANS and BIÉNNE HUISMAN
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Three victims of a global toxic breast implant scandal want the South African plastic surgeon who operated on them in the UK to pay for their pain and suffering.

The women - two of whom had surgery after their implants ruptured - spoke out as it emerged that 15 local plastic surgeons had used the controversial PIP implants on patients in South Africa.

An estimated 47000 British women have had PIP implants, made by French company Poly Implant Prothese, which were found to be filled with industrial silicone, rather than medical-grade fillers.

A growing number of women have complained of lumps in their breasts, redness, tenderness, swelling and pain as the implants ruptured and leaked, sending industrial silicone into their bodies.

Dr Chris Snijman, national secretary of the Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons of Southern Africa, said this week that 15 surgeons had used PIP implants locally.

"The exact number of pairs that were inserted [locally] is yet to be disclosed by these surgeons," said Snijman.

The three UK women this week said Dr Winston Shaer, who has relocated to Cape Town, refused to pay for their implants to be replaced, despite their distress.

Claire Mogridge, 28, from Dorset, had implants in 2004, taking her from a 32A to 32D. The procedure was performed at Kensington House private hospital and cost about R42000.

"My brother lent me the money because he knew that my flat chest had got me down for years and I didn't feel like a woman. After the operation, I felt really happy and normal," she said.

But diagnosis of a lump in her breast in 2010 revealed that the implant had ruptured.

In September last year, she had the implants replaced at a cost of R45000. But, she said: "There was a lot of tissue damage and I had to have a drain inserted to cope with the excessive bleeding. Because of that, I had to stay longer in hospital.

"The whole thing has been so traumatic. If I'd known the risks of PIP and been told, I wouldn't have done it. It's scarred me and I feel disgusted. He [Shaer] needs to know the damage he's done not just to me, but to other women, and answer why he put PIP implants into me."

Shaer said he was distressed by the women's plight, but was not planning to compensate them.

"Around the world, approximately 400000 patients have had PIP implants," he said.

"The surgical procedures were performed by a large number of surgeons, me included, who had no reason to believe that these implants were anything other than ethically manufactured, well researched and adequately licensed products.

"The implants looked and felt perfect. The clinical results in my hands were excellent."

PIP implants had their European quality-assurance mark withdrawn in March 2010 after the intervention of French regulators.

PIP later went into liquidation, and its founder, Jean-Claude Mas, is facing multiple legal actions.

Another patient, recruitment consultant Angie Mott, 31, from Kent, was operated on 11 years ago at the private Highgate Hospital in north London and was happy with her new 32D breasts - until the PIP scandal erupted.

"I paid R43000 for the operation and Dr Shaer gave me all the reassurances I needed ... I want new implants, but he's said he did nothing illegal and it's just 'tough'. I think he should be offering to put in new ones - saline ones, because I am worried about them breaking."

Another former patient, beauty therapist Tracy Davies, wanted to sue Shaer until she discovered he'd left for South Africa.

She paid R43000 in 2003 to take her bust size from a 32AA to 32D and was happy with them until she suffered pain and twinges that resulted in her right breast swelling to double its normal size.

An MRI scan revealed the implant had ruptured and was leaking into nymph nodes in her arm.

Davies, 28, from Essex, said: "Up until then, I didn't realise that I had PIP implants. If I'd known about the dangers, I wouldn't have had them."

Snijman said Shaer should not be blamed for the defective implants in London.

"Obviously there are moral and emotional issues here, but no, Dr Shaer cannot in any way be held liable for using the PIP implants, as, to the best of his knowledge at the time, he was using safe implants that had the CE mark and European stamp of approval."

Snijman said the association encouraged a compromise between doctors and affected patients.

Mogridge and Mott are two of 430 women who are now joining a class action against an estimated 50 surgeons and clinics in the UK.

Fraser Whitehead of London legal firm Russell Jones & Walker (RJW) said over 1000 women had contacted them.

Said Whitehead: "The main defendants have indicated they intend to fight on all legal issues."

Health Professions Council of SA spokeswoman Lize Nel said the council had not received complaints over PIP implants involving registered South African practitioners.

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