Learning that the FDA has recalled certain Textured Allergan breast implants due to a link to a rare cancer (BIA-ALCL) is terrifying. But for many women, that initial fear is quickly followed by a frustrating wave of panic: How do I even know what kind of breast implants I have? If you received your implants five, ten, or even fifteen years ago, you might not have the paperwork handy. To make matters more stressful, many women are discovering that their original plastic surgeon has retired, relocated, or closed their practice.
If you are struggling to find out if you have the recalled Allergan BIOCELL or Natrelle implants, take a deep breath. You are not alone, and there are concrete steps you can take to uncover your medical history and protect your health.
3 Ways to Determine if you have Allergan Breast Implants Today
Finding out the manufacturer and model of your implants requires tracking down specific medical documentation. Here is where you should start:
1. Check Your Breast Implant Device Identification Card
Following breast augmentation or reconstructive surgery, most patients are given a “Device Identification Card” before leaving the hospital or clinic. This card looks similar to a credit card and contains vital information, including:
• The manufacturer (e.g., Allergan, Mentor, Sientra)
• The style or model number (e.g., BIOCELL Style 468)
• The serial number and lot number
• The date of your surgery
Check your home files, lockboxes, or the original aftercare folder your surgeon provided. If you have this card and see the name “Allergan,” “Inamed,” or “McGhan” (former names for Allergan products) alongside the word “textured” or “BIOCELL,” you may have a recalled device.
2. Request Your Operative Report from the Facility
If you do not have your device card, do not panic. The exact details of your implants are legally required to be documented in your Operative Report (the surgeon’s notes detailing the procedure) and your Medical Device Tracking form.
Even if your specific plastic surgeon has retired or left the practice, the physical hospital or outpatient surgery center where your procedure took place will still have a medical records department. You have a legal right to request these records. Contact the facility’s records department and specifically ask for your Operative Report from the date of your surgery.
3. Track Down Records from a Retired Doctor
If your surgery was performed in a private clinic that has since permanently closed, getting your records can feel impossible. However, in Texas, physicians who close their practices are required by the Texas Medical Board to inform patients how to access their records, often by transferring them to another local physician, a secure storage facility, or a medical records custodian.
If you are hitting a brick wall trying to locate the custodian of your records, a Texas Allergan lawsuit attorney can often step in. Law firms have dedicated resources and investigators to track down archived medical records for their clients.
What to Do If You Discover You Have Recalled Allergan Breast Implants
If your records confirm that you have Allergan BIOCELL or Natrelle textured implants, your first priority is your physical health. Schedule an appointment with a board-certified physician to discuss your symptoms and whether an ultrasound or MRI is necessary to check for fluid buildup or signs of BIA-ALCL.
Your second priority is protecting your legal rights. Allergan has offered some women financial assistance for explant surgery, but they often require you to sign a Waiver of Liability to get it. Signing this waiver could strip you of your right to seek fair compensation if you develop BIA-ALCL in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• What are the symptoms of BIA-ALCL?
Symptoms usually develop 3 to 14 years after surgery and include unexplained breast swelling, pain, asymmetry, or a noticeable lump in the breast or armpit.
• Do I have to pay a lawyer to investigate my Allergan case?
No. At Sullo & Sullo, we handle Allergan breast implant cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely no out-of-pocket costs or upfront fees. We only get paid if we successfully recover compensation for you.
• Should I get my implants removed if I don’t have symptoms?
The FDA currently does not recommend routine removal of these implants if you are asymptomatic. However, you should have a detailed conversation with your doctor about your personal risk factors.
Get the Answers and the Advocacy You Deserve
Dealing with the anxiety of a defective medical device is overwhelming, and you should not have to fight for your medical records or your legal rights alone.
If you believe you have recalled Allergan breast implants—or if you need help finding out—contact the experienced Allergan breast implants lawyer at Sullo & Sullo. We offer a completely free, 100% confidential consultation to listen to your story, explain your options, and help you take the next steps. While we cannot guarantee specific legal outcomes, we can guarantee that our legal team will fight tirelessly to hold negligent manufacturers accountable.
Call us today or contact us online to schedule your free case evaluation.
