Having explant November 3rd...questions on pathology

[Guest guest]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you so much for all your support in deciding to do the explant..I

am nervous about it and I know that is normal. I asked Dr. Lee if I

can keep the implants and tissue in case I want to send to pathology.

Can you help me about how to go about this?

In vision of amazing health for all of us,

[Guest guest]

http://f1.grp.fs.com/v1/YDM2ReTW1jyJyoI98gQNdjKm_Rd_P_lXwMtypMW_xEa7TtbtUJKJ4W8UquLNhwdsGqfdGL5qVV7F7HuXvbQg/Dr.%20Blais%20instructions%20for%20sending%20implants If this link doesn't work, go to our home page, click on Files, then go down to Dr. Blais' information . . . It will take a matter of months before you get a report, so you won't be able to use it to get immediate medical care. But it can be of benefit to KNOW what was in your implants and why you got sick - and, if you are considering a law suit, or if your insurance company needs confirmation. Hugs and prayers, Rogene <lindabirse@...> wrote: Hi Everyone,Thank you so much for all your support in deciding to do the explant..I am nervous about it and I know that is normal. I asked Dr. Lee if I can keep the implants and tissue in case I want to send to pathology. Can you help me about how to go about this?In vision of amazing health for all of us,

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I believe there is a letter you can print off and go over regarding having your tissues and implant analyzed. Check out the explant folder on the group website..I'll do that now and post one of them...you can check the file and links sections for all the other info on explant.

A MUST! LETTER TO SEND THE PATHOLOGY FIRM BEFORE EXPLANT

If you are going to be explanted, IT IS A NECESSITY to send letter

similar to the following to the pathology department of the facility:

(1) If you have Dow Corning silicone gel implants, (2) You have not or

have been unable to obtain Proof of Manufacturer (3) Have Opted-Out, or

(4) If you have silicone-gel and have not obtained insurance preapproval

prior to explant! Others, consult your support group leaders

and/or attorney to see if they think it is necessary in your case.

By NOT sending a letter prior to explant, IT COULD COST YOU UP TO

$25,000.00, the amount for the rupture bonus for the proposed Dow

Corning Bankruptcy Settlement, if you are having Dow Corning implants

removed, or do not know who manufactured your implants and it turns out

they are Dow Corning or maybe even more, if they are by a manufacturer

filled with Dow Corning gel. READ FURTHER!

If you are being explanted at a free standing same day surgical center

or the operating suite of the P/S, please ask which pathology firm will

be picking up your tissue and implants for the report. Then call this

pathology firm to make sure they still do the pathology consultations

for this surgical center or P/S.

We are amazed how many of the P/S and free standing same day surgical

centers do not realize who the pathologist is for procedures done in

their operating room suite. This might have been changed by their office

manager without them realizing. Your implants and capsular tissue could

end up across town or the country.

It is not the responsibility of a P/S struggling to help us (doctors are

often poor at details so even if they say they will contact the

pathologist, do not count on it!) to make sure the pathologist is

notified of your wishes. Also, the P/S usually does not have time to

carefully examine your implants for a rupture after removing them as

frequently his next patient is already under anesthesia and he must

quickly go on to that person.

And do not assume just because your explanting P/S is famous for helping

us, he has this all worked out with the pathologist. The pathologist is

independent of him. The day of your explant, a brand new one hired by

the pathology firm could be handling your pathology report who does not

realize what is important to do!

At the very least, you need to write to have your implants saved so you

can pick them up within 30 days after explant. If for any reason, you

cannot pick them up in this time period, the letter tells the

pathologist you will contact him so they will continue to hold your

implants.

If the pathologist says they can only be released to your attorney or

some such, discuss this with your P/S. Your breast implants should be

retained indefinitely should you ever need to have them analyzed because

of medical problems (such as what chemicals were in yours). Even if you

have the Product I.D. Tags for your implants giving the Lot and Catalog

numbers, the records of the manufacturers have proved to be far less

than perfect as to what chemicals and how much went in each lot.

Breast implants have been in use only since 1964 and not widely until

the 1980s. It is estimated 60% were implanted from 1986 to 1992.

Silicone gel were banned by the FDA for augmentation with a few

exceptions in 1992. The majority have only been implanted for 6 to 12

years, with an average of perhaps 9 years. We have no idea what the long

term will hold.

A medical journal article reports the latency period is a median of 37

years with a range of 10-68 years, for cases with occupational asbestos

exposure before they developed malignant mesothelioma associated with

it. Asbestos was manufactured starting in 1858 and no one complained up

until the early 1980's or for 127 years.

The local pathologist have for the most part, done nothing but glance at

the newly removed breast implants and unless there is a gross rupture,

they examine them no further for a small opening. This has cost us tens

of millions of dollars in funds from the rupture bonuses being paid by

the manufacturers for good reason. It is time it came to a screeching

halt by asking for a thorough exam (by requesting it in writing prior to

explant) for any opening, including pinhole.

Any opening in the elastomer shell is defined as a rupture; that is the

legal definition given under the

Revised Settlement and the proposed Dow Corning Settlement. The

pathologists are doing a more thorough exam across the board when they

receive the letter shown below! Women have reported their pathology

reports enumerated their implants being gently rolled with mild pressure

to look for a small or pinhole opening. All but one was found even

though there was no obvious rupture.

If you have opted out, be sure your attorney is aware of your

approaching explant. He might wish to have the tissue and implants sent

to a pathologist who has more sophisticated equipment than is available

locally. Most local pathologists do not have the necessary equipment to

affirmatively identify silicone and can only guess whether it is or not,

which might not hold up in court. In any event, he probably will not

want you to ever touch the implants because of the chain of custody (you

could take an ice pick to them!)

and store them or have some pathology firm he has retained do so.

Your medical insurance carrier will only pay for the pathology report

being done one time. The facility will usually require that the

pathologist on sight, or in the case of a free standing one or at the

plastic surgeon's office, the report being done by the one they have

chosen. Unless you have opted out, paying perhaps $950 for a pathologist

with the necessary very expensive equipment, is a nicety and perhaps not

a necessity.

You should instruct the pathologist (by certified mail with a return

receipt, if hand delivered with a copy signed and dated, or by overnight

delivery) to examine them for ruptures or pinholes and to keep your

implants at least 30 days so you can pick them up, do not expect them or

a thorough examine to be done for a small opening.

If pressed for time, you can have a relative or friend who accompanies

you for explant hand deliver a copy of the letter to the pathologist

once you are taken into the operating room and have the employee of the

pathology firm receiving it make a photostat showing and sign, date and

the time it was received and give that back as a receipt your

instructions were received, if they are on site.

If you have been unable to obtain proof of manufacturer, below are the

identifying characteristics that you should print-off to give your P/S

and send with the letter to the pathology firm. If any of these

"identifiers" are enumerated in the operative and pathology reports plus

photographs made of the implants (P/S usually willing to do this), this

might be sufficient for proof and save you the $300 plus overnight

shipping charges to send them to an expert specializing in

identification of the manufacturer. Also, see the

article, HOW TO OBTAIN PROOF OF MANUFACTURE, at this site.

If you are using one of the P/S frequently suggested by support group

members, in as high as 90% of the cases, they will be able to identify

your implants. Also, they are good at obtaining insurance Preapproval

and for producing good cosmetic results with explant only and no

replacements. These P/S will also endeavor to remove your implants "en

bloc," with the capsule and implant as one unit. This procedure

automatically includes a total capsulectomy. By cutting around the

outside of the capsule, the capsule

helps hold any gel together from a rupture or gel bleed, until both are

out of you.

If your explant is not done properly, you could be worse off then you

already are. See the write-up on how explant should be done at the

COALITION OF SILICONE SURVIVORS:

http://www2.privatei.com/~coss/coss/sshead.html For a list of suggested

P/S', most of which are famous for helping us and/or for a suggestion of

an attorney if you live in the U. S., E-mail: Barbara,

Sursiliimp@....

For further help and support, E-mail Ilena at ilena@... and ask

to be added to her post list so that you automatically receive the

latest medical and legal news on silicone implants before the ink even

dries on the articles. You are not alone.

NOTE: IF YOU ARE HAVING SALINE EXPLANTED, PLEASE ADAPT THE LETTER

ACCORDINGLY!

PATHOLOGY DEPARTMENT

XYZ HOSPITAL

1414 S. Whatnot Street

Anytown, CA 99999

CERTIFIED RETURN RECEIPT#_________________________

OR AIRBILL# IF BY OVERNIGHT DELIVERY OR FOLLOWING IF HAND DELIVERY:

ACCEPTED BY (EMPLOYEE OF XZY PATHOLOGY FIRM)

SIGNATURE______________________________TIME__________

PRINT NAME_____________________________DATE__________

RE.: Your Name_______________________Social Security#___________________

Date of

Birth_____________Date Surgery:_______________________

Plastic Surgeon:_________________________

Gentlemen:

I am being operated on by_________________________, M. D. (D.O.), at

approximately _________on (date)__________, to remove my breast implants

and

capsules, at the same day surgical center (hospital or Plastic Surgeon's

in office operating suite) above.

1. Please save my removed breast implants. I will pick them up within 30

days afterwards or give you further instructions in regard to them.

2. Please weigh my implants and place this information in the pathology

report. It is an important medical fact how much they weighed when

explanted as most of us know having obtained the original Product I. D.

Tag how much they weighed when implanted.

For the gross examination, I appreciate you recording the type of

external surface, i. e., smooth, textured, polyurethane or smooth and

covered by sticky material and contents of the implant, i. e., viscous

gel, oil or watery fluid. Please note the color of the gel; at

implantation as you know it was crystal clear. Now it might be yellow.

3. Please also note any inscriptions, including brand name, size and/or

serial number present on the elastomer shell or any identifying

characteristics. I was implanted with the present set, on_____________or

over______years ago. (For those who have been unable to find proof of

manufacturer; please add this: I have been unable to find proof of who

manufactured my implants and would so much appreciate you listing any of

the "identifiers" you see on the elastomer shell which are attached to

this letter.)

4. If there is a rupture, please use that word in your report. The

definition of a rupture is usually any opening in the elastomer shell.

Pathologist have used the term "opening in the capsule" which led to

much confusion instead of saying "opening, pinhole or rupture in the

elastomer shell or envelope." The capsule is generally referred to in

medical circles as the scar tissue surrounding the implant.

Using a word like puncture indicates it was caused by the surgery when

it might not have been. If damage to the implant occurred during the

surgery, it is up to the explanting physician to note that in my

operative report. If the outer shell is focally ruptured (describe the

size of the rupture and whether gel extrudes significantly), if

completely disrupted with fragmentation of the outer shell (in case

saline: completely deflated and flat), small or pinhole opening and

approximate size, etc.

5. If no gross rupture(s) of my breast implants is observed, carefully

examine each by slowly by gently rolling them with mild pressure, to see

if a pinhole or small opening in the elastomer shell can be spotted.

This I consider pertinent information for my health care professionals

for the long-term. Also, any opening, as mentioned, legally qualifies as

a rupture and might qualify me for substantially more funds from the

Settlement I need because of my declining health.

6. Please note if you see what might be metal or dark floating particles

or objects in the silicone-gel (saline).

7. For SALINE only: There were no drugs instilled in the saline solution

when my implants were placed or there was bedatine, cortisone;

antibiotics -- see your operative report at implantation and Office

Notes; help the pathologist -- give him the facts! If the saline

solution looks like "swamp water," since no drugs were instilled (if

true), you might have cultures for a more lengthy time to identify what

is growing in it. Microorganism growing in the saline solution now are

documented to occur more frequently than previously thought. (Don't type

this in the letter; run off the articles, if you are having saline

explanted, in

article #21 at the SALINE IMPLANT LIBRARY and attach those to your

letter:

http://www.GeoCities.com/HotSprings/8689/saline.html

8. Please note the presence and character any inflammatory reaction,

description of foreign material if present, i. e., silicone appears as

refractile, non-birefringent, optically clear material often found

within macrophages. Any giant cells with vacuoles you see, I would

appreciate you mentioning, etc.

An article and a multitude of others, from ls of Plastic Surgery,

January, 1995 on 300 patients who had 592 silicone-gel breast prostheses

explanted, states there is a 21% chance of one or both are ruptured or

severely leaking (the gel will extend 12 inches which indicates a

pinhole or small opening exists) at 8 years old, 49% at 12 years, 71% at

14 years and 95% at 20 years old. (Only for those with silicone gel)

Please be sure to note if there is granulation tissue, silicone

granulomas on the exterior of the biological capsule, lymphocytes, foamy

histocytes, macrophages, mast and/or multinucleated giant cells, plasma

cells, eosinophils, foci of epitheloid cells and fibroblasts, everything

you see that might be considered a foreign body or immune reaction or

fluid between the capsules and implants, synovial metaplasia, etc. There

are also increasing reports of squamous cell carcinoma in the capsule

surrounding a breast implant.

I need your help again to please note everything when doing my Pathology

Report. It might help my health care professionals in treating me over

the long-term. Thank you so much for your efforts on my behalf.

Sincerely,

X__________________

MARY JANE DOE

Enc.: Subclinical Infections, Synovial Metaplasia and Squamous Cell

Carcinoma Associated with Breast Implant Capsule.

Note: The above articles are after the list of Characteristics below;

you can copy and paste them into your word processing program plus the

requirements for proof of rupture from the proposed Dow Corning

Bankruptcy Settlement and the "identifiers," for all of the

manufacturers, if you still in need of proof of manufacturer and then

print them off to attach to your letter)

PROOF OF RUPTURE REQUIREMENT DOW CORNING:

(e) Rupture Payment Option. To qualify for the Rupture Payment Option a

Breast Implant Claimant must meet the requirements listed below:

(i) Definition. "Rupture" means the failure of the elastomer envelope(s)

surrounding a silicone-gel Breast Implant to contain the gel (resulting

in contact of the gel with the body), not solely as a result of "gel

bleed", but due to a tear or other opening in the envelope after

implantation and prior to the explantation

procedure...

(iii) Rupture Proof.

....Breast Implant Claimants explanted after January 1, 1992 and before

the Effective Date must submit a contemporaneous operative report and,

if available, a pathology report together with a statement as to whether

the ruptured implants have been preserved and, if so, the name and

address of the custodian.

c. 1. Breast Implant Claimants explanted after the Effective Date

(probably June/July) must submit a contemporaneous operative report and,

if available, a contemporaneous pathology report. In addition, the

Claimant must provide a statement from the explanting surgeon (or other

appropriate professional approved by the Claims Office) affirming that,

in his or her opinion, the Rupture did not occur during or after the

explantation procedure. This statement must describe the results of the

inspection and provide a factual basis for the opinion (e.g., in light

of silicone granuloma formation on the exterior of the biologic capsule,

or findings concerning the nature of the destruction of the elastomer

envelope). The Claimant shall use her best efforts to cause the removed

implant to be preserved...

LIST OF CHARACTERISTICS UNIQUE TO SPECIFIC

MANUFACTURERS OF IMPLANTS

BRISTOL-MYERS

1. Polyurethane (for implantations before 9/1/71 or after 12/8/78)

2. Bilumen implants described as having a standard gel implant within,

but not attached to, an outer inflatable elastomer shell.

3. An implant having an SSI valve. An SSI valve can be mentioned by

name, or by description: a circular valve that looks like a button,

having a slightly rounded dome. It is Dacron-mesh reinforced.

4. An implant having a Quin-Seal valve. (This valve is flat and its

entry site is marked with a white dot.)

5. An adjustable reconstructive implant with two puncture seal sites

(shell and column).

6. An implant with "SCL" molded on the shell.

7. An implant with radiopaque size markers.

8. For implantations before 9/1/71 or after 12/8/78, an implant shell

exhibiting roughness due to adhesive can be treated as a "polyurethane"

implant even if the foam cover is gone.

BAXTER (HEYER-SCHULTE)

1. Polyurethane (for implantations 9/1/71 to 12/8/78).

2. For implantations 9/1/71 to 12/8/78, an implant shell exhibiting

roughness due to adhesive can be treated as a "polyurethane" implant

even if the foam cover is gone.

3. An implant with horizontal thin silicone tubing approximately 1mm in

diameter. The tubing lies from edge to edge of patch for orientation

purposes. Ends of tubing are "RTV'd" closed.

4. An implant with a butterfly silicone fixation patch which is

perforated to allow tissue ingrowth. The edges of the patch, but not the

face, are adhesed to the main patch.

5. An implant with a molded or cast number composed of a single letter

A, B, or C and followed by a single-digit number.

6. An implant with a "spiral" or "target" imprinted design composed of

concentric rings located on the main patch.

7. An implant with a retention valve positioned at acute angle to

flange.

8. An implant with a diaphragm () valve placed on the anterior face

of the implant. (On round styles, valve will be at apex of the anterior

face.)

Baxter identifiers 3 - 8 above relate only to implantations before

3/31/84.]

3M (MINNESOTA MINING & MANUFACTURING)

1. An implant with "3M" or "3M McGhan" stamped on the outside of the

envelope.

Relates to those implants manufactured before 8-3-84 only.

MCGHAN

1. An implant with "McGhan" stamped on the outside of the envelope.

DOW CORNING: UNIQUE PRODUCT IDENTIFIERS:

A photograph of an explanted Breast Implant that shows one of the

characteristics unique to a Dow Corning Breast Implant, as specified at

Section D, below, if the photograph is accompanied by a statement from

the explanting physician identifying the Breast Implant in the

photograph as one (s)he removed from the Claimant. I have asked my

Plastic Surgeon to photograph my implants once removed.

DELETE the following sentence in what you give the pathologist; it is

directed only to you: If you need the pathologist to do this, you should

call ahead of time to arrange it. If they do not have a camera, even if

you have to go out and buy an inexpensive Poloroid one or borrow a

camera for them, do so!

The following unique product identifiers of a Dow Corning Breast

Implant(s) shall be considered as acceptable proof where the removed

implants are examined by a physician who identifies the manufacturer or

brand. See paragraph 7 of Section B above:

For implantations or implants manufactured between 1969 and 1973 a high

profile contour "ski slope" design implant with Dacron® fixation patches

on the posterior with the upper portion of the implant being concave and

the bottom portion convex. If the fixation patch has detached from the

implant, then the Claims Office shall accept and shall deem as

acceptable proof a photograph of the implant showing an imprint

consisting of 3-4 linear impressions of the Dacron® mesh embedded in the

elastomer shell.

An implant with fixation patches where white Dacron® knit mesh loops

were either sewn or bonded to the elastomer patch surface with the

fixation patches in turn bonded to the envelope posterior. Products with

the following configurations of fixation patches are acceptable:

(i) For implants implanted or manufactured between 1963 and 1965, a

single large Dacron® mesh-reinforced fixation patch covering all or

almost all of the posterior implant surface of a silicone gel-filled

implant with a prominent non-everted peripheral seam where the fixation

patch is constructed of Dacron® mesh-reinforced silicone elastomer

sheeting to which non-embedded Dacron® mesh had been sewn with Dacron®

sutures. (1963-1965)

(ii) For implants implanted or manufactured between 1963 and 1969, four

(4) Dacron® mesh-reinforced fixation patches, one in each quadrant on

the posterior implant shell, asymmetric or symmetric, with a distinct

peripheral seam everted or non-everted, where the fixation patches are

constructed of Dacron® mesh-reinforced silicone elastomer sheeting to

which non-embedded Dacron® mesh has been sewn with Dacron® sutures.

(iii) For implants implanted or manufactured between 1968 and 1982, two

(2) to five (5) circular Dacron® mesh fixation patches on the posterior

implant shell of the embedded/pleated design, consisting of a clear

elastomer disc about 22-25mm diameter, with a pattern of embedded

Dacron® mesh in a pleated pattern, with the actual Dacron® mesh present

or absent.

SUBCLINICAL INFECTION OF THE SILICONE BREAST IMPLANT SURFACE AS A

POSSIBLE CAUSE OF CAPSULAR CONTRACTURE

Author: Virden CP; Dobke MK; Stein P; Parsons CL; DH

Address: Division of Plastic Surgery, University of California, San

Diego 92103.

Source: Aesthetic Plast Surg, Spring, 1992, 16:2, 173-9

Abstract: In order to reexamine the possible association between

bacterial presence and capsular contracture, 55 silicone devices

(mammary implants or tissue expanders) were cultured at the time of

their removal from 40 patients. Special culture techniques were used in

an attempt to recover bacteria adhering to the smooth-surfaced implant

and encased in glycocalyx biofilm. Bacteria were detected on 56% (15 of

27) of implants surrounded by contracted capsules and on 18% (5 of 28)

of those without capsular contracture (p less than 0.05). Only three

implants tested positive using routine plating techniques. The

predominant isolate was Staphylococcus epidermidis. The concept that

capsular contracture is associated with subclinical infection of

silicone implants is supported by this study. With changes in the

microbiological technique, bacterial recovery and growth occurs at a

frequency greater than previously thought.

EPITHELIALIZATION OF THE LINING OF BREAST IMPLANT CAPSULE: POSSIBLE

ORIGINS OF SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA (CANCER) ASSOCIATED WITH BREAST

IMPLANT CAPSULE

Author: Kitchen SB; Paletta CE; Shehadi SI; Bauer WC

Address: Department of Pathology, St. Louis University Medical Center,

St Louis University School of

Medicine, MO 63110.

Source: Cancer, 1994 Mar, 73:5, 1449-52

Abstract: The authors described a Case in which the capsule surrounding

a breast implant was lined by benign squamous epithelium. A second Case,

in which a woman was found to have a squamous cell carcinoma in the

capsule surrounding a breast implant, was also reported.

SYNOVIAL STRUCTURE OF BREAST-IMPLANT-

ASSOCIATED BURSAE

Author: Emery JA; Spanier SS; Kasnic G Jr; Hardt NS

Address: Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of

Florida College of Medicine,

Gainesville.

Source: Mod Pathol, 1994 Sep, 7:7, 728-33

Abstract: Over 2 million silicone breast prostheses have been implanted

since they were introduced in the 1960s. After implantation, a

fibrovascular tissue reaction referred to as a "capsule" is observed.

Many consider this capsule to be a static structure, an effective

barrier to the egress of foreign material. However, reports documenting

the presence of silicone within lymph nodes of patients with apparently

unruptured implants indicate that silicone may be transported away from

the breast-implant capsule. To characterize the cells making up the

breast-implant capsule, 183 capsules from 103 ruptured or bleeding

implants and 80 intact implants were studied. Gross and light

microscopic studies were performed on all, and selected capsules were

subjected to ultrastructural study and Fourier-transform infrared

spectroscopy. Light microscopic examination of the

capsule revealed an organized, layered structure with an associated

network of endothelia-lined spaces. The capsules varied in cellularity,

depending on the type and integrity of the implant. The superficial cell

layer of all capsules had cytoplasmic processes directed toward the

surface. These long cytoplasmic processes contained vacuoles

ultrastructurally, indicating phagocytic and pinocytotic capability.

These cells bore immunological markers of bone marrow derived

macrophage-type cells. The

extracellular matrix of the surface layer consisted of an amorphous

fibrillar protein lacking the ultrastructural periodicity of mature

collagen. No cell-to-cell junctions were observed. Deeper capsular

layers were characterized by fibroblast-type cells in a collagen matrix.

No capsules studied contained basement membrane or basal lamina between

the stroma of the capsule.

THE BELOW IS ONLY FOR YOUR BENEFIT AND IS NOT TO BE GIVEN TO YOUR P/S &

PATHOLOGIST WHO ALREADY HAVE GIVEN ENOUGH TO READ!

( Definition of Minor Deficiencies in Rupture Proof. There are four

minor deficiencies in Rupture proof.

If a Breast Implant Claimant's Dow Corning Breast Implant was removed

before the Effective Date, the Claim has a minor deficiency if the

Breast Implant Claimant failed to state whether the ruptured implant has

been preserved and, if so, the name and address of the custodian.

If the ruptured implant was removed after the Effective Date (probably

June/July, 1999), the Claim has a minor deficiency if the Breast Implant

Claimant failed to provide the Claims Office with the required statement

concerning preservation of implants or failed to provide a statement

>from the explanting surgeon (or the hospital pathologist, a physician

who assisted in the explantation surgery or from another doctor who

examined the removed implant, as provided herein) affirming that, in his

or her opinion, the Rupture

did not occur during or after the explantation procedure and providing a

factual basis for that opinion.

Note: If you have an attorney, he will be able to tell, hopefully,

whether this is necessary to obtain as frequently, the P/S puts this

statement or the equivalent of it in the operative report. If it is not

sufficient in the operating report, your attorney will write the P/S for

you. Also, you have two years we believe from the effective date to be

explanted unless because of your medical condition, you probably would

not make it through explant, to have your breast implants removed to

prove a rupture. See the section on Proof of Rupture on the medical

conditions and then how a rupture would need to be documented if you

feel you could not make it through the surgery.

If the Claimant was explanted after January 1, 1992 but did not submit a

pathology report or indicate that the pathology report was unavailable,

the Claim has a minor deficiency that can be cured by submission of the

report or the required statement. If the Claimant timely submitted the

supporting documentation demonstrating Rupture but did not submit

a Rupture Payment Option Form, the Claim has a minor deficiency which

can be cured by submitting the Rupture Payment Option Form.

Breast Implant Claimants may cure deficiencies in Rupture proof by

sending to the Claims Office the appropriate written statement, clearly

marked at the top as Rupture Proof.

Having explant November 3rd...questions on pathology

Hi Everyone,Thank you so much for all your support in deciding to do the explant..I am nervous about it and I know that is normal. I asked Dr. Lee if I can keep the implants and tissue in case I want to send to pathology. Can you help me about how to go about this?In vision of amazing health for all of us,