In rare instances where an implant has ruptured during a mammogram because of compression, a patient is referred to ACC for treatment, Urry said. <\/p>\n
Mount Maunganui resident Donna, who got her first set of implants in her 20s, told the Herald she had a mammogram a year and a half ago. <\/p>\n
After the procedure, the 60-year-old found her breasts were very sore and bruised. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s never been comfortable [getting a mammogram], but normally they\u2019re pretty gentle, but this lady wasn\u2019t,\u201d Donna said.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe didn\u2019t do it gradually \u2013 she just went, squash. I said, \u2018Oh, that\u2019s really, really tight.\u2019\u201d <\/p>\n
Donna only discovered during her latest mammogram a few months ago that her implant had ruptured. <\/p>\n
The breast implants of multiple New Zealand women have burst during routine mammograms. Photo \/ 123RF <\/p>\n
Donna said she was told the public health system would only cover the surgery involved in removing the implants, not replacing them. <\/p>\n
She received a quote from a breast surgeon, who said the surgery would cost $22,000. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was like, \u2018Well, hang on a minute. I\u2019ve got a mortgage. I\u2019m unemployed … why should I have to take out a loan?\u2019\u201d <\/p>\n
After a stressful few weeks, Donna\u2019s desperate application to withdraw her savings from her KiwiSaver was approved. <\/p>\n
\u2018I was bawling my eyes out\u2019<\/p>\n
Anna told the Herald her implants ruptured in 2014 during her first mammogram in Hamilton. <\/p>\n
Anna chose to get an implant procedure after she finished breastfeeding because she was left with a significant amount of loose skin. After years of saving, she was able to afford the procedure in 1999, at age 40. <\/p>\n
\u201cIt was my choice to get breast implants, and it\u2019s none of their business the reasons why,\u201d Anna said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI was young when I had a child, and I grew from an A cup to an E. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I finished breastfeeding, I was left with these giant empty … they looked like plastic bags that touched my knee.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the day of her mammogram, she filled in the form and disclosed the fact she had implants. <\/p>\n
Multiple women in New Zealand have suffered rupturing of their breast implants during mammograms. Photo \/ Unsplash <\/p>\n
\u201cI said, \u2018well how\u2019s this going to work?\u2019 Because you\u2019re going to squash my breasts.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd they said, \u2018what we do is we grab the nipple, we pull the skin right out, and we push the implant back, and then we squash the breast in between the plates\u2019.\u201d <\/p>\n
She endured several unsuccessful attempts, leaving her in significant pain. <\/p>\n
\u201cThey basically showed no compassion whatsoever, told me to keep still, told me not to be so silly, that women get it all the time,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n
\u201cI said \u2018this is absolutely barbaric, absolutely disgraceful and disgusting\u2019.\u201d <\/p>\n
Anna said that after the mammogram, it took her a few months of discomfort to investigate what may have happened. <\/p>\n
She went for an ultrasound after she noticed hardening and pain, which was getting worse. <\/p>\n
She was told her implant had burst and the silicone had leaked throughout her lymph nodes and under her arms. <\/p>\n
After a discussion with her doctor about options to remedy the issue, she decided to look for help overseas. <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat New Zealand was prepared to do, they said, all they can do is take out the implants and that\u2019s it. <\/p>\n
\u201cThe specialists, they didn\u2019t care. They said they\u2019ve got better things to worry about, like women with breast cancer. They treated you like you were a piece of crap, really. <\/p>\n
\u201cUnless you had breast cancer, you weren\u2019t important.\u201d<\/p>\n
Two years later, Anna decided to get her implants fixed in Thailand as a more cost-effective option. <\/p>\n
\u201cNew Zealand didn\u2019t want to help me, and paying for it was through the roof,\u201d she said. <\/p>\n