Understand your thyroid tests

 In conventional medicine the TSH test is the first and often only measure of thyroid health. Unfortunately this test has a somewhat narrow range that most doctors adhere to when it comes to deciding what’s “normal” thyroid function and what calls for treatment. This limited range often makes women wait too long to take active steps to support their thyroid, and they end up needing thyroid-stimulating drugs

Measuring thyroid function

With endocrine function, it’s usually best to gauge your health by how you feel — your symptoms are your first clue that something may be off. But testing is also an important measure of how healthy your thyroid is. Here are some basic thyroid tests and what they indicate Read more 

Breast Implant Capsulectomy

Understanding breast implants will allow you to understand why breast capsulectomy must be done. When a breast implant is performed on a patient, the body will wall it off and form a capsule that surrounds the implant. This capsule can vary in thickness from patient to patient. Patients with capsules that contain muscle cells have the ability to contract and misshape the breast altogether. This contraction is called a capsule contraction. It may cause pain, break, rupture, and deform the shape of the breast altogether. The removal of this capsule is done through breast capsulectomy surgery.

Capsular Contracture is the contraction or tightening of the capsule (tissue that forms around the breast implant). All implants and implanted devices create a tissue response where a capsule forms to envelope the implant.

Capsular contracture is not a normal occurrence and happens in about 1-5% of breast augmentation patients. The physiology of capsular contracture is the formation of collagen fibres created by an immune response to the foreign body (implant) which then contract around the breast implant. This leads to deformation of the implant and discomfort/pain. Capsular contracture is classified as follows: Read more

The a-cup revolution : Beauty - Cosmopolitan

Yes, you could get fake-looking implants, but you know your all-natural set is damn sexy. And now science proves it.

Yes, you could get fake-looking implants, but you know your all-natural set is damn sexy. And now science proves it.

These days, more women are embracing their small bust size instead of hiding their breasts under kilos of bra padding...or getting cosmetic breast implants. According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, the number of breast-augmentation surgeries has dropped close to

17 percent over the past few years. Plus, owners of lingerie stores specialising in A-cups say they’ve seen a boost in sales lately.

“These days, not as many women are asking for a padded bra,” says Ellen Shing, owner of Lula Lu, an online lingerie boutique catering to petite cup sizes. “They tell us they want to look like themselves.” And now, science is backing up what these ladies have known all along: small breasts rock. Read, smile, and never let the idea of getting fake ones enter your head .Read more 

Information on how to get your Medical Notes

Making a Request for your medical records

You have the right to get a copy of the information that is held about you including your medical records. This is known as a subject access request or SAR.

You will find all the details you need, including a template letter, to make a request for your medical notes here Find out how to request your personal information on the ICO website  There is also some useful information on the NHS Choices website How Do I Access My Medical Records 

Send a SAR ( subject access request ) request to your GP/Hospital/Clinic and request your medical notes , here is a template letter  Printable word version of template letter

• If your clinic hasn`t sent you your information OR tells you they don`t have it , follow the " How to raise concern about an organisation .

• If you still have no joy then report your concern to the ICO.  Follow this link. Report your concern  ** Remember you must first take up your complaint with your clinic etc before the ICO can look into your case.

• If you had your surgery before March 2006 you  can request your data from the old register of Mhra follow the link to see how  SUBJECT ACCESS REQUEST for all the data held on the register ( UKBIR )

More details below 

Find out how to request your personal information
You have the right to get a copy of the information that is held about you. This is known as a subject access request.  This right of subject access means that you can make a request under the Data Protection Act to any organisation processing your personal data. The Act calls these organisations ‘data controllers’. Read more 

What can I do if the organisation does not respond?
If more than 40 calendar days have passed since you made your request, we advise you write to the organisation to remind them of your request and their obligations under the Data Protection Act. We recommend you send any correspondence by recorded delivery. Here is a template letter you may use: (Printable word version of template letter)

What can I do if I believe the organisation has not sent me all the information I am entitled to?
If you feel the organisation has withheld some of your personal information, we recommend you contact them with your concern. Make sure you state the information you think is being withheld.
Here is a template letter you may use: (Printable word version of template letter)

How should I raise my concern about how an organisation has handled my information? 
You can use the template letter to help you raise your concerns.Download the template letter

If you have a concern about accessing information -   whether it's information about you or information you've asked for from a public body - we may be able to help you do something about it. Read more 

Also some women have had problems keeping hold of their Implants after explant or R&R, here's a link that you should probably read . Ownership of Medical Implants