Breast implants - Removal and replacement of PIP implants

Your options for removal and replacement of PIP implants depend to a large extent on the circumstances in which they were fitted.

NHS PIP implant removal

If you had PIP breast implants as part of breast reconstruction surgery under the NHS, you can go back to the NHS to have your implants removed at no cost.

The NHS will fund PIP implant removal if they are showing symptoms of rupture, or if you are worried about the possibility of future problems.

Private PIP implant removal

If you had your PIP breast implants at a private clinic and you want to have them removed, your first move should be to go back to that clinic to have an assessment. Some private clinics have agreed to remove PIP breast implants free of charge, others charge a fee.

The government expects private providers who used PIP implants to take their responsibility of duty of care towards their patients seriously and treat you with dignity and compassion.

Unfortunately, this hasn't been the experience of some women who have been blocked or thwarted by private clinics in their quest to have their implants removed and replaced.

If you find that the original private clinic won't help you with removal either because it has closed or because it's unwilling to do so, be reassured that you will be able to have your PIP implants removed free of charge by the NHS.

NHS PIP implant replacement

Normally, the NHS will remove but not replace PIP implants, with the following exceptions:

If your original PIP implant surgery was performed by the NHS, you will also be able to have new breast implants fitted by the NHS after the PIP implants have been removed.
If you live in Wales. The NHS in Wales will remove and replace both NHS and privately fitted PIP implants.
If you had private breast augmentation surgery for medical rather than cosmetic reasons, your GP can make what's called an "exceptional aesthetic referral" on your behalf to your local NHS hospital trust. Medical reasons for NHS breast augmentation include assymmetry of more than two cup sizes; no natural breast tissue or a psychological need because of mental health problems such as body dysmorphia.

Private PIP implant replacement

Some private clinics have agreed to replace PIP implants free of charge, but others have not.

These private clinics have said they will replace PIP implants free of charge if clinically necessary:

These private clinics charge a fee to replace PIP implants:

'Top-up' schemes for implant replacement

Initially, certain NHS hospitals offered women with private PIP implants a "top-up" scheme, whereby they could have free implant removal followed by private implant replacement in a single operation.

However, top-up schemes are no longer available, as they contravene Department of Health guidance that states that the NHS and private components of treatment should normally be carried out at a separate time and place. This is to ensure that the NHS does not inadvertently cross-subsidise private treatment, and that patients are not required to pay for treatment to which they are entitled on the NHS.

How are PIP implants removed and replaced?

The operation to remove/replace PIP breast implants is done wherever possible in the conventional way and through the original surgical cut.