Cosmetic surgery to be reviewed by the government

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Page last updated at 05:02 GMT, Thursday, 16 August 2012 06:02 UK

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By Maddii Lown
Newsbeat reporter Katie

Katie Stewart paid around £4,000 for her implants

The government is looking into whether the rules around plastic surgery in England should be tightened.

There's concern after the recent scare around in faulty French PIP implants.

Around 47,000 women in the UK had them. They were made with silicone usually found in mattresses.

A government review will now take a look at whether there's enough regulation across the entire industry - so bottom, fillers, and any other kind of surgery.

So we've spoken to two women who're both had their PIP implants removed about their experiences of the industry.

Katie Stewart had PIP implants put in four years ago and has since had them replaced: "I paid around £4,000 for the [PIP] implants."

"Cost is an issue, but they weren't the cheapest. When you go in they start giving you a deal so you get sucked into it."

She says she didn't want to pay more than £5,000 for the surgery.

"I actually went into the clinic and saw the nurse, so I went ahead and booked it before I'd even seen a surgeon.

''It shouldn't be taken lightly, it's a major operation.''

'Serious operation'

A government survey found two-thirds of people say cost was the main deciding factor about whether or not to go ahead with surgery.

Collette's implant ruptured but she has also had them replaced

The man in charge of patient care for the NH, Sir Bruce Keogh, says he's worried many people don't realise how serious this kind of operation is.

He also says that people considering surgery have a right to know that what's being put into their body is of an "appropriate standard" and that the person doing the procedure is properly qualified.

Collette, 25, also had PIP implants when she was 21.

"I looked around all the different cosmetic companies and chose one in the middle price range, but with a very good reputation.

"I went for my initial consultation and was told if I was to book on the day I would get a £500 discount.

"I then had a confirmed rupture in February this year. I ended up paying £300 extra to get a safer brand of implants."