Mentor warranty for $3500 in costs re: implant replacement?

LisaK12
LisaK12 Member Posts: 107
edited July 2021 in Breast Reconstruction

Mentor's warranty policy says that if its implants rupture w/in 10 years, in addition to replacing the implants it will pay up to $3,500 toward unreimbursed, out-of-pocket costs directly related to replacement surgery. Does anyone here have any experience with getting Mentor to reimburse these related costs? E.g. for travel, hotel, etc.? My doctor is recommending I plan to be in the DC area for approximately three weeks to get my implants removed and replaced, due to rupture. I am wondering how this reimbursement policy works in practice, and if others here have experience with it. Many thanks in advance.

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  • SimoneRC
    SimoneRC Member Posts: 419
    edited May 2021

    Hi LisaK2!

    Sorry, I do not have experience with replacing implants under warranty. I have replaced my implants though and had pocket work, all at Hopkins. Is your trip to the DC area a drivable trip or would you fly? I only ask as, for me, these surgeries were super easy with one quick (under 5 minutes) follow up visit 2 weeks after the implant replacement and no follow up after the pocket work surgery. I just checked in over the phone. Your doctor may want you to hang around if you must fly in,but if this is a drivable trip, you really most likely could be at home and just drive back for your follow up. Will you be at Georgetown with Dr. Song by any chance?

    Also, for what it's worth, when I replaced my first Mentor implants with my second Mentor implants I had pretty much no pain at all! It was a breeze!


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  • LisaK12
    LisaK12 Member Posts: 107
    edited May 2021

    I would need to fly unfortunately. It would be at George Washington University Hospital in DC. I'm happy to hear that your surgery was quick and easy though -- they told me I would need drains again (ugh), did you have drains? Thanks for the encouragement -- it's nice to know that your experience was not bad.

    Just curious, what kind of Mentor implants do you have and are you happy with them? Why were yours replaced? I don't know if it's the implants or the alloderm or what but I have near-constant itching with mine but have otherwise generally been fine with them.

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  • SimoneRC
    SimoneRC Member Posts: 419
    edited May 2021

    My first Mentors were Smooth High Profile Xtra. I am thin and the right one bottomed out, and they were too big and sat funny. My second, and current Mentors are Smooth Moderate Plus Xtra and are about 100 cc’s less than the first. They look much better on my frame. The right one bottomed out a second time, thus the pocket work. I did not need drains with either surgery. My first set were only in for one year though so perhaps that’s why no drains????

    I have AlloDerm and am pre-pectoral (over the muscle). I had more itching in the beginning and found slapping the itchy area to be more helpful than anything. Strange, right!

    I hope you have an easy time of it and the $3,500 can all be applied for your expenses! Good luck and keep us posted. And feel free to ask away if you have any additional thoughts or questions:-)


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  • SpecialK
    SpecialK Member Posts: 16,486
    edited May 2021

    lisa - I will be having implant replacement bi-laterally in a couple of weeks due to both a rupture on the right side, and that both implants are textured and have been recalled. If not for the rupture - found on routine MRI at 5 years - I would not likely be explanting the textured implants. I did speak to my surgeon about the implants being covered by the warranty period, but she told me that since this is surgery covered by insurance - unlike an augmentation patient - unless I had a steep deductible they don't usually file with the manufacturer. I am not in that situation as I have a no-deductible policy with very low co-pays, so we will not seek any compensation from Alergan. Is there a specific reason you have to fly to DC for this surgery - are you returning to your original surgeon? I am wondering if Mentor will cover any costs related to travel as I think the warranty monies are meant to pay for surgical costs directly, but I am not certain about that. Their warranty covers the replacement implants themselves and surgical costs (operating room/surgical fees/anesthesia) not covered by insurance according to their website.

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  • karen1956
    karen1956 Member Posts: 6,503
    edited July 2021

    My implants are Mentor mid profile, round smooth 200cc. This month is 13 years. I just wrote my PS who I haven't seen in 11 or 12 years how often they should be checked. The only reason I haven't seen him is I was sick of seeing doctors and at the time my oncologist was still seeing me every 3 months. I was relying on oncologist to notice if something was wrong, but I read Mentors booklet and they said most leaks are silent and need to be checked by MRI. I haven't had any imaging since Dx.

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