Dear friend,

This is an appeal to all women implanted with silicone (gel or solid-shell) breast implants.

There is strong medical evidence supporting the potential benefits realized by explantation (removal) of silcone gel breast implants. At a minimum, the woman's health usually stops declining; in many cases, it improves.

When correctly performed, explantation surgery is called a total "capsulectomy," which removes not only the implant but also the fibrous capsule that has formed around the breast implant. Ideally, the implants should be removed "en bloc," which means the capsule and implant are removed as one unit. This procedure is intended to prevent the gel or contaminated saline from spreading beyond the capsule into the surrounding breast tissue, chest wall, and axilla.

In some cases, reconstructive surgery may be necessary. The options include using tissue from a patient's abdomen, back, or buttocks or a "Mastopexy" (breast lift).

Women who have been experiencing medical problems associated with their silicone breast implants may have been ill for years. As a result, they usually consult the same Plastic Surgeon who implanted them in the first place. It is wiser to seek help from an unbiased surgeon who will not be concerned with potential liability related to previous surgeries.

In many instances, a clinical examination by your Plastic Surgeon may identify the presence of granulomas (lumps of silicone), which a mammogram may not detect

An important charter of this organization is that of convincing the Medical Department of Insurance for Quebec to acknowledge this medical dilemma and to provide women with silicone gel breast implants the opportunity to have them removed.

And finally, our charter must not overlook the psychological pain experienced by these women and those who love them. Their sudden decline in physical heal th often overshadows this sad reality.

Président
Micheline Bordeleau