ARTICLE

Most manufacturers of breast implants provide some sort of warranty which applies in the event of leakage of the implant.

At Avenue Aesthetic Surgery, we prefer to use Mentor implants, as implant failure is extremely rare and, in over 20 years, Mentor has never let us down in the rare event that a patient has to make a claim.

So, what then is the position regarding implant warranty and the cost of further surgery?

With respect to warranties and the cost of further surgery, please note the following:

  • Our Mentor saline and silicone implants are both covered by a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty. This means that if a leak occurs due to a faulty implant, the manufacturer will replace the implant free of charge.
  • It is extremely rare for saline implants to leak and nearly all of our saline implants have lasted well over 20 years.
  • If a saline implant leaks, it will deflate and so be obvious. This is in contrast to silicone implants where the leak is not obvious until a lump forms somewhere in the breast or imaging is performed.
  • Because of the difficulty in detecting a leaking silicone implant, if you have a silicone implant we (and the US FDA) recommend you have a breast ultrasound or MRI every two years.
  • The surgical fee for replacement of a leaking implant, or for any other complications which may arise following surgery, is currently covered by Medicare, so this will minimise any possible out-of-pocket costs for the surgery.
  • There may be an out-of-pocket cost for the anaesthetic.
  • Hospital costs are covered by private health insurance.  If you do not have health insurance, a hospital cost will apply and this will depend on the time required in the operating theatre. Due to our close association with Windsor Private Hospital, special reduced fees are made available for our patients who require revision surgery.
  • Revision surgery for change of size or position of an implant is not covered by warranty.
ARTICLE

Breast Implants–What Warranty Is Provided?

Most manufacturers of breast implants provide some sort of warranty which applies in the event of leakage of the implant.

At Avenue Aesthetic Surgery, we prefer to use Mentor implants, as implant failure is extremely rare and, in over 20 years, Mentor has never let us down in the rare event that a patient has to make a claim.

So, what then is the position regarding implant warranty and the cost of further surgery?

With respect to warranties and the cost of further surgery, please note the following:

  • Our Mentor saline and silicone implants are both covered by a lifetime manufacturer’s warranty. This means that if a leak occurs due to a faulty implant, the manufacturer will replace the implant free of charge.
  • It is extremely rare for saline implants to leak and nearly all of our saline implants have lasted well over 20 years.
  • If a saline implant leaks, it will deflate and so be obvious. This is in contrast to silicone implants where the leak is not obvious until a lump forms somewhere in the breast or imaging is performed.
  • Because of the difficulty in detecting a leaking silicone implant, if you have a silicone implant we (and the US FDA) recommend you have a breast ultrasound or MRI every two years.
  • The surgical fee for replacement of a leaking implant, or for any other complications which may arise following surgery, is currently covered by Medicare, so this will minimise any possible out-of-pocket costs for the surgery.
  • There may be an out-of-pocket cost for the anaesthetic.
  • Hospital costs are covered by private health insurance.  If you do not have health insurance, a hospital cost will apply and this will depend on the time required in the operating theatre. Due to our close association with Windsor Private Hospital, special reduced fees are made available for our patients who require revision surgery.
  • Revision surgery for change of size or position of an implant is not covered by warranty.