TVT Removal

Lana,

Is your law suit a class action or are you on your own?  There are many attys filing class action lawsuits against Mentor which I found out about by going to site--Mentor TVT removal.

Hi, I had TVT surgery in 1907 and as a result have pain so terrible that I can't have sex with my husband.  Pelvic exams are torture as well.  I have a worse incontinence problem now than before my surgery.  Believe me being in Depend diapers is grim.  They are expensive, unconfortable, and a permanent wedgy.  I live in Canada and I want to join a class action suit. Recently, I did some research, but can't find any class action suits in Canada.  Can I join your law suit?  Can I start my own?  Please help me as I don't know what to do next!

Hi Lori,

Sorry to hear you have the same problem as Miriam and myself. I would rather be incontinent than have this thing in me that has a mind of its' own. And to keep having procedures and cystoscopies to get rid of it or control it is awful.

I am sure there are many more of us. At only 1% of a million procedures worldwide to date (that's an estimate) that would be 10,000 women with similar complications.

And yes, it is a nightmare. Even worse, there are at least 10 women who have died from the Gynecare TVT tape procedure.  I have the adverse event reports from the FDA. There was one as recent as January of 2007 and there were two before I had my procedure in 2001. And those are just the ones that are reported.

About the statute of limitations, I believe it starts when you have knoweldge of the cause, not just from the date of surgery. It's a little more complicated than that but it is worth asking the question.

And being a nurse does not mean you understand all the risks of a procedure. I would be happy to share any information I have regarding the defects of the TVT tape.

Please feel free to contact me anytime...Lana

miamiblog@bellsouth.net

I have been dealing with the same nightmare.  Had surgery in August of 2007 with the Head of the Uregynecology Department, tvt surgery that was supposed to help me.  They sent me home, and I had to self-cath, I immediately started having problems, bladders spasms, utis, this went on for 8 months.  I went to another doctor to have it removed.  The first doctor admitted that they had cut my vagina while inserting the sling. transobturator tape and cystoscopy were performed.

I now am diagnosed with intercystal cystitits, constant pain and bladder spasms was taken to the emergency room with fever and severe bladder spasms, had to be sedated for 12 hours.

This has turned in to a disease that I got from my original surgery.  When the second doctor took the sling out, there was tissue damage and my entire bladder wall is totally inflamed, a disgusting and debilitating experience.

How would I find out if tot, and tvt are the same and how do I find out the manufacturer?  I think, in my case it was a combination of being somebody's guinea pig at a teaching hospital and a bad mesh.

I sent my case to a malpractice attorney in Atlanta, and he wasn't interested in taking the case.  Would you kindly guide me to someone that I can talk to.

Thank you very much,

sadinatlanta

Dear Sad in Atlanta,

I am so sorry that you are suffering the horrors of Synthetic Surgical Mesh. It needs to

be recalled by the FDA.

TOT stands for Trans Obturator Tape. The mesh is the same. The method of implantation is different. It goes through an area near the groin at the obturator of the pubic bone.

The TVT (Trans Vaginal Tape) is implanted through blind incisions in the vagina that are then brought up through the abdomen.

Please contact me at miamiblog@bellsouth.net. I will try to help you. Lana Keeton

I just had my mesh out and am leftwith severe bladder spasms and pain My mesh was attached to my colon so my stool would get caught in it. I would be rushed to the hospital several times a year. Finally a "pelvic pain" specialists told me it was the mesh. 5 years after getting it in I got it out. The gripping left side pain is gone but now I have a bladder infection with spasms so bad. I can thank a nurse for that. She tookout my cath and did not monitor my output. 3 hours later I was in pain 4 hours later i was in crazy out of my mind pain and asked my husband to take me to another hospital 5 hours later i was offered a rolaid for pain (what wisdom) 6 hours later i was beating the bed with my fist and screaming the 7th hour i realized i did not pee so i asked to be catherized. it was relief for a minute, then spasms started and never stoped. I now have an infection. I also got BV which I never had in my life (hard to believe but true). I am on my 3rd course of antibiotics.

What us women go through heh? I was told that prolpsed organs and bladder prolasp are from labor. Most women with "C sections" don't have prolapse anything. I wish I knew it then. I would have opted for a c-section.

If yu or anyone you know has any info on this mesh recall or attorney to take my case, please inform me. I lost verything because of this. My equity in my home, my job of 18 years, i am totally disabled without the medical coverage I once had from my job, my husband had to retire to take care of me so his income was compromised also. We went from 65,000 a year to 17,000. it is hard to live and I want vengence on the people that are continuing to ruin peoples lives y saying this surgery is good for you. It is not!

im not an attorney but i dont think your risks are implied

Dear Pain in Ohio,

Go to the Bladder Forum and you will find countless other women with the same problem. Then go to topix.net and look under hernia mesh patch recall...dozens more with problems from medical mesh. It's awful what people are going through, men and women both.

Any kind of a plastic mesh, Prolene, polypropylene, polyester, etc. is a problem because it is a ptroleum based product. They are toxic to our systems and some have worse reactions than others depending on their own personal sensitivity.

That's in addition to the physical abrasion of the mesh cutting you on the inside. 

Of course, no doctor or pharmaceutical company is going to tell you this. Your pain is their profit... 

Be really careful of who does the removal of the mesh...the second surgery can be worse than the first if the doctor is inexperienced. Your native tissue has grown into the mesh.

When they remove the mesh, they damage healthy tissue. BE VERY CAREFUL who you trust with this.

All the best and God Bless! Lana

miamiblog@bellsouth.net

Link To My Blog:

www.theladyisachamp.blogspot.com

Lana, A friend of mine had this procedure done and has dealt with vaginal discharge for over a year. Not once did her Dr. examine the possible link.  She now has an abscess in the upper thigh/groin area.  The general surgeon connected the two but says he hasn't the experience to remove it.  WE NEED TO FIND AN EXPERIENCED PHYSICIAN FOR THE REMOVAL.  The general surgeon is not sure the antibiotics will work.  Can anyone help us with names and facilities.  We are located in Canton/Akron/Cleveland, OH area.  We have been on the net for over two days and we are not having any direct luck.  Thanks and good luck to all,  Kathy

Hi Kathy,

Please write me at miamiblog@bellsouth.net for more information. Also, I have a yahoo group called Medical Mesh. See link below. You should go to the link and join the group.

Several of the members of the group have been to Cleveland Clinic in Cleveland, Ohio to see Dr. Mark Walters, a urogynecologist and head of his department. They have been pleased with their treatment there. Dr. Walters has been good about seeing them very quickly. 

I myself have treated with Dr. G. Willy Davila at the Cleveland Clinic Florida in Weston, FL since 2002. He is an excellent doctor.

It is important that your friend get the proper surgery with the proper doctor that has had experience removing mesh. Otherwise, the second surgery could make the situation worse. She probably had the TVT O method of implantation or the TVT Secur which is through an incision in the groin area and may the reason she is having the abscess in the thigh/groin area. It is very diffiicult to remove from that area and sometimes impossible. She has to have an expert to do the removal!!

All the best...peace and blessings, Lana  

Lana Keeton
Los Angeles, CA 90049  

E-mail: miamiblog@bellsouth.net
Blog:   www.theladyisachamp.blogspot.com
Medical Mesh Yahoo Group:  http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/medicalmesh

website: www.truthinmedicine.us.com

Thank you for your response.  Unfortunately she had to go the Clinics emergency room yesterday and her husband told me they are going to do surgery possibly today.  I do not know if this will be on the abscess only or if they will try removal.  I will take the information you have provided with me - I hope we have the time to make an informed decision.   Kathy

Hi Kathy. Sorry to hear your friend is suffering. I just had my mesh removed by Dr Harry Johnson at the University Of Maryland hospital. He romoves these in his sleep he says. I was sent to him by my pelvic pain doctor. He told me my case was worst than he thought. Well surprise surprise.....I knew it was bad and it is hard to convince them othewise. they make boocoo bucks doing this. I am praying for a recall and a class action lawsuit against the manufacturers.

They can take flesh from yout leg to repair a fallen bladder or organs. They don't tell you that option tho.

contact dr johnson. he is the best in the country. if you come to maryland for the surgery, she can stay at my house to cut costs of motel fees. anyway i can hlp. let me know.

Thank you.  I am forwarding this to my friend ASAP.  She is still undergoing treatment for the abscess and is concerned about future complications if she is unable to have this removed. 

Hi Lana'

I am Kathy's friend (Cleve clinic) Thanks so much for your offer, as I write this I'm doing OK.  My experience with TVT started when I had sling done in 2004.  In summer of 2007 I returned to gyn with complaint of vaginal discharge.  Her NP felt it was BV but when meds didn't help I returned again. She -my GYN Dr- said my mesh was eroding into vagina and I returned later to have it removed in office.  I have since returned several times for vag discharge  which had turned pink-red.  Multiple cultures have been done-all negative. A biopsy (endomaetrial) was done & was also neg. So...the latest game plan was to have hyster done & new sling placed (this was end of Oct) At about this same time my thigh began hurting.  I thought it was pulled muscle until it became red & swollen.  CT showed thigh abscess. When I researched thigh abscess on web I learned of association with TVT.

I spent 5 days in Cleve clinic. The GYN who saw me there told me that surgery was very nasty & could ultimately result in inability to walk. I was also examined by orthopedics & urology.  I was on IV antibiotics as in patient & within 2 days the discharge stopped. I was discharged with a PICC line & from Dec. 13 til Jan. 5 I was hooked up to IV bag with antibiotics 24/7.

Went to see Drs. yesterday.  My thigh is better CT showed slight infection.  Dr is going to have me taking oral antibiotics for 1-2 years (yeah I know it wounds wierd) If this is the end of my problems thats a small price to pay compared to what I've been reading. I almost feel tho as if its a cancer & if its not cut out it will return.

I have found out I had Mentor OB tape used.  This was pulled from the market in 2006. It was not a recall Mentor just realized it was causing problems. 

Please Help,

My mom is having all the same problems...  can you please send me information regarding removal, and Dr. Harry Johnson's contact info.

Also,  how are you doing now??

Thank you,

Adam

hello my name is neak  and i have had the tvt done mine been in for 3 months but i am scared that something may go wrong what should i do about it

Hi there, If you are not having any problems then I would just wait. Nothing might happen and you could be completely fine. not everyone has problems.  I have just had my TVT put in on Friday and I feel great so far and it has worked 100%.

who done yours

Hi there, I had my done in Falkirk Royal Infirmary (Scotland) by Dr Kate Patrick.  She was excellent, three of my mums friends have had this done and have had it for years and been fine.  Once I had my second daughter 9 months ago my problems started and it was terrible (im only 28).  I went for physio for 6 months and nothing helped, so on the 13th Mach 09 I got the TVT op. My lite incisions are still a little sore but its not even been two weeks yet.  I am completely dry and I feel terrific.  I'm sure you will be fine honestly.xx

I am having problems with the TVT procedure as well. Now that the tape is removed, how are you feeling? Could you send me Dr. Harry Johnson's contact info. -Michele

I am having problems with the TVT procedure as well. Now that the tape is removed, how are you feeling? Could you send me Dr. Harry Johnson's contact info. -Michele

Lalmsteadt,

I have my second appt with Dr. Johnson this Friday.  Please email me with how you are doing and all.  I am scared of this whole thing.  Thanks

Cindy

Cindy_is_Sweet@msn.com

Hi there,

OMG, i'm not alone!!! i had my tvt procedure done september 10, 2009, at the same time i had a tubal done as well.  the day after the procedure, i had no bladder control. i contacted the ob/gyn that did the procedure, and was told if it doesn't resolve itself to come in to see him on monday...monday came, no improvement, went to see him, and as a "precaution" was referred to urologist to have a cystoscopy done. 2 weeks later cystoscopy revealed the mesh penetrated my urethra and has to be removed, once the tvt is in place longer than 2 weeks, it is more difficult for it to be removed successfully...had severe infection and was prescribed macrobid for 3 days...i had severe itching between my thighs and everywhere in between, the only way i could describe it was to say if i had a baby bottle cleaner, i would stick it up inside myself and scratch...the doctor that originally did the procedure was on vacation in south africa, not that i would let the quack near me again...i now have an appointment in halifax (5 hour drive from me) with a urologist to have the tvt removed...i'm terrified...i spent 4 1/2 hours in emergency on the weekend with severe right side pain and was prescribed another round of antibiotics, cipro this time, for another infection...i thought i was alone...

I am trying to get information as I have had a TVT for over a year now with pain from the start.  No one can seem to help.  Can you steer me in the right direction or am I just stuck with the problem?

Please contact me at my email address as I don't know much about blogs, etc.

dander26354@yahoo.com

It seems that there are quite a few of us experiencing problems.  Maybe we should consider a class action lawsuit.

I had the TVT surgery done 4 years ago, and the tape, stitches, whatever you want to call it, is coming through.  I am really scared, and quite depressed.  My gyn indicated he had never seen this happen before, and my surgeon indicated he has never seen this happen beyond 3-6 weeks after surgery.  Both doctors recommended I try an estrogen cream for a month, to try to strengthen the tissue around this area.  My surgeon indicated he will re-evaluate a corrective surgery at that time.  I am devastated, though it has only been a week since I saw him, I have noticed no change for the better.

Please, give me feedback.

Dr. Caputo (Urogyno) in Cols. Ohio removed most all of mine, after the ob/gyn who placed (misplaced!!!) it tried to patch it up. She did 2 smaller sections first (after discussing it with me) to try to "save the sling", then later removed the whole thing. 

The morning after I felt as if I had gotten over a mild case of the flu, aches and pains were so much better.  I'm sure it had cranked up my immune system. Much better now, but still not the same.  Had great follow up care PT she referred me to.

Some go to cleveland clinic.

I am scheduled to have this tvt sling put in in July by Dr. Caputo. I don't have daily incontinence. It is mostly when I have to run quickly. I happened to just google this procedure and I see all the negative comments. Did Dr. Caputo suggest that she could redo it?

I trust Dr. Caputo, she really helped me out of the mess I was left with from the guy who orginally placed the TVT. 

But before surgery, I would at least try Physical Therapy/Exercises. It's a lot more than Kegels. Her office has a great PT. They can refer you and you can see PT at Caputo's office or at ReHab Associates in Pickerington & Newark.

I wish I had done that first, I might have been able to improve enough to not need surgery.  Surgery is always there if you don't see improvement with PT and the symptoms are more than you want to live with.

I live in Grand Rapids, Mi and there are no urogynecologists in this area.  I would like to have this mesh taken out of my body and along with other irratitation and swelling and discharge problems I feel that overall I am slightly allergic to the mesh...I find I am aging very fast and am tired all of the time. 

     What was your health state after she removed the mesh, what kind of mesh was it and how long were you in the hospital?  I would like to see someone who really knows what they are doing since I keep being told that the mesh can't be removed because it is embedded between the muscles and would be work to get out.  ...of course, I have only been urologist and gynecologist...not urogynecologist.  How is your incontinence now and what did they do to keep you from going totally backwards or worse being totally ruined!  I would greatly appreciate your thoughts about this.

    Thank you in advance for any further information you can provide.  Linda

I have had infections since my TVT op.  Now five weeks on I constantly have to go to the loo.  In fact I never feel comfotable.  I am not in pain.  My Consultant says it will settle down.  Has any body had a similar problem

Jenny

I have had infections since my TVT op.  Now five weeks on I constantly have to go to the loo.  In fact I never feel comfotable.  I am not in pain.  My Consultant says it will settle down.  Has any body had a similar problem

Jenny

Jenny,  I had a TVT inserted 3 weeks ago on 30th Sept. No problems so far but there has been no improvement.   How have you got on?  Has time recitified the problem?

Margaret in Australia

Hi Margaret,

      I had TVT sling surgery on October 6th 2009 and was wearing a catheter till October 21. It is Sat. Oct. 24th and I have spent the better part of the day in the bathroom trying to void. I am voiding but it is difficult and takes time. Something just doesn't seem right. Am I expecting too much so soon after surgery? Anything input you can give me would be greatly appreciated. You can email me also at cilene0824@yahoo.com.

                                                    Thank You.

                                                              Chris

Dear N,

Please contact me at miamiblog@bellsouth.net. I have a lot of information and have found 20 other women on the internet suffering from the Gynecare TVT Prolene mesh bladder suspension tape...it is awful!! The complications are numerous because the tape can move within your body even years later. Also infection can hide in the mesh for vey long periods of time. And the Prolene mesh can be toxic to your system...it is a plastic.

Gynecare/Ethicon/Johnson & Johnson sell the tape to the doctors as the greatest thing since sliced bread...they also give kickbacks to the doctors to use the product. I have proof. That is not an idle statement.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Lana Keeton

Miami, Florida

e-mail: miamiblog@bellsouth.net

blog:    www.theladyisachamp.blogspot.com

yahoo group:  search medical mesh under health groups

Lana:  I looked at  your blog, and sent you an e mail. 

I look forward to hearing from you, my issue has not gotten as bad as yours did, YET!  I pray that it does not.

I saw a urogynecologist this week, had to wait a long time to see him, and he is going to do a partial removal on me.  I am NOT looking forward to this yet I can't take the pain, the discharge, the no intimacy much longer.  I am also very afraid now of infection setting in :(  Hopefully, this guy can help me out.

Obviously, the surgeon who put this in has no clue how to handle the erosion into my vaginal wall.  He says this is honestly the first time he's seen it with his patients.  He has offered to remove it, but I have done LOTS of research on this, and I see I have to have someone with experience do this.

He said he will go in vaginally, cut around, excise mesh, and suture the vaginal wall well.  Six weeks with many restrictions for recovery.

I hope I'm in good hands, and I wish others would come back here to discuss this problem and what they have done.

Good wishes to everyone. 

Dear Magnolia,

Did you have a partial removal of the tape and if so how did you get on?

Reading through these posts it is amazing at how many different things people are told regarding the tvt. I have researched myself sensless on this subject after having my botched TVt nearly kill me. As far as I am aware the slimmer you are the harder it is for them to insert the TVT.  Erosions into the vagina are often not true erosions at all but are due to the fact that the surgeon did not postion the tape in the correct place during the initial surgery. True erosion happens over very long time scales so don't let them fob you off with lies.

I do know that this stuff is like getting chewing gum out of your hair, impossible once it is in there so please anyone thinking of having this done, research, find an expert a urogynae who has done hundreds of these procedures.  Ask for their track record, ask them what they will do if it doesn't work or in the event of a complication ( my surgeon didn't have a clue of what to do as far as he was concerned as he hadn't had anything like it before then I was lying....). Make sure that your consultant is doing the procedure and not just letting someone else have a go once you are under, you have a right to question them they are doctors NOT GODS.

I hope your recovery went well and would love a positive update,

regards

N 

Thanks for asking how my surgery went.

In my situation, this was not a true "erosion" as the stuff was exposed slightly from the very beginning due to incompetent procedure inserting the TVT tape.  From the very beginning this was a problem.

The urogynecologist I used did the partial removal vaginally.  He cut out what was in my vaginal canal, and a few inches inside to get as much as he could to prevent further "erosion".  He has done hundreds of revisions, that's what they are calling it these days "TVT sling revisions".  Sounds nicer than the problem really is, doesn't it?

IF, at any time in the future, this stuff finds it's out again, I will have this specialist attempt to remove the whole thing.  Recovery from anesthesia and surgery is a long process, so I don't wish to have like six "partial" removals!!  

I'm feeling a bit beat up right now, but all in all, the surgery went well.  I tire easily and am sore.  I think any trauma to the body is hard to recuperate from, well, for me personally anyway.  The anesthesia takes forever to get out of my system.   Spinal blocks are out of the question due to

existing spinal problems I already have.  I don't need to make more trouble for myself!

Thanks for posting :) 

I'm glad your're well.  Can I ask if you are in the Uk and if so where you had your revision.

Do you have any incontinence now you have had to have some of the tape removed?

I understand not wanting lots of minor procedures to try and remove bits of tape, I had a major to try and get the stuff that was in my bladder out it it took a very long time to get over that and unfortunately a big scar aswell. I wish that they could have taken it all out of me but that was not possible.

I'm left with many problems now but am trying to get on and live with them, I leak as the strangest times and my bladder just doesn't work right on some days and on other days it okay there is no science to it at all.

I try and find out if anybody else has had a tvt tape put into their bladder and left as most people just have either erosion or division of tape if they are in retention.

N

I am in the US and I used a urogynecologist.  I'm not sure if that's the word for it in the UK, but it's a highly specialized urologist/gynecologist.

I was told I should not have incontinence issues again, but there's no guarantee.  I've experienced a *tad* of leakage but I am thinking that is due to the catheter I had in at surgery.

Thanks for your well wishes and good luck finding the right Doctor for you. 

May I ask if you are in the UK?  I had a TVT inserted by an eminent lady professessor in London and now six years later it has eroded into the urethera.  I have changed to a different gynecologist and he has referred me to a urologist who will try and use laser to remove the erosion.  However, no one will take out the whole TVT as they say that tissue has now grown all around it.  So they cant stop the erosion.

Do you know if there any kind of support group in the UK?  I am beside myself with anxiety about the whole thing.

Kind regards

Christine

Dear Christine,

I am in the UK and understand you anxiety...sometimes that can be worse than your symptoms and it will also make your bladder problems worse.  I don't know if I can help but I can offer my experiences and advice so far if you like.  Please contact me if you do.

If you can I would opt for a urogyn don't let them just transfer you over to a urologist, they tend to do that once the gyne's realise they are out of their depth.

Kind regards

N

I was refered to a urologist and he wants to laser the erosion from my uthera.  Has anyone heard of this procedure?

Dear Christine who was the proffessor who did you tvt, I had mine done by Proffessor cardozo and have had nothing but problems since, let me know how you are doing

Yes Professor Cardozo was the person who inserted the TVT 7 years ago.  It eroded into the uthera and I have now had a two hour laser surgery to remove the erosion.  I am just praying that the it doesn't erode again, as if it does I'll just have to have the laser all over again.  Let me know how you get on.  I am  also looking to into the matter of medical negligence.

Dear Magnolia,

I am glad to hear your surgery itself went well, though I am certain recovery must be traumatic.  Recovery from the initial surgery was traumatic for me.  

I am probably headed down the same "corrective" road very shortly.  I have to ask, is Magnolia a reference to the state in which you live?  I ask, because I live in MS., and I'm wondering if we might have had the same Urologist.  He is located in Starkville, MS.

Hope you continue to recover, and never have to repeat the corrective procedure.

editwrtr@bellsouth.net

I had just went through menopause and my gynecologist put me on hormones. Afterwards I started to have some breakthrough bleeding plus I noticed a change in my vagina, something had dropped, which was my bladder. He did a pap smears and it was negative, however my bladder had dropped some. He ask me if I had been having any leakage when I cough or sneezed. I said yes. So he suggested that I have a hysterctomy as well as a bladder repair and a tvt sling I ask him if he could do both operations at the same time. He said oh yes, in fact the had done two operations that morning. I consented to the operations.

He had to live one of my ovaries because yrs. ago I had a cyst on my ovarie and he said there was to much scar tissue and I was bleeding heavily. After the operations I was not able to void.He put me on xanax that did not work ,then he checked my urthea to see if there was any blockage. There was none. So after a month of wearing a catheter and charting the amount I voided which was only a few drops I had to go back for surgery for him the release the tape.Before the surgery however, I ended up with a UTI and yeast infection. I was able to void after the surgey. This was in the yr. 2002. Although i was able to void there were times  I could not empty my bladder completely ,several times to the bathroom within an hr . or so. I also have to get in an awkward position to void. My girls were very unhappy with the out come and did not want me to go back to him.

April this yr. 2007 I went to an urologist because I was having more problems voiding more frequent, etc. and especially at night.He examined me and said I might want to consider having the sling removed. A couple of yrs, before this I had back surgery and my dr. put me on elavil which is anti-dpressant for pain plus I was taking claritin. He suggested I get off of both and wanted to put me on Flomax which is mostly for men.I said forget the flomax and I did get off the other two medications which did not help.

September of this yr. I started to burning every time I voided. Went to my primary dr. I had a UTI. Put me on antibiotic, three days later I injured my leg.Iwent to the dr.tetanus shot plus another antiobiotic. He said there my be a piece of wood broke of in my leg. The next day I get home my primary dr. calls and puts me on another antiobiotic, three antiobiotics at one time. Oh was I nauseated.I still had the burning after taking the antiobiotics. Another urinalysis, another antiobiotic test show my infection was clear.I still had the burning so I went to another gynecologist, treated me for a yeast infection.My leg starting swelling from the injury so I had to have surgery to remove the piece of wood. He wanted me to stay of my leg with it placed high above my heart.The wound had to heal open since it was so deep. More antibiotics. The burning in my vagina was continuing. I went back to my gynecologist no UtI, no yeast infection. She examined me again. She found some irritation as well as possibly mesh problems. She sent me back to my urolgist. Oh he had no bedside manners, mad and said he told me to go back to my gynecologist who put the sling in he wanted no part of it.

I felt I had no other choice but go back to my Gynecologist. He didn't believe the mesh was causing the problem. Here i am taking pain pills with no relief from the burning. I ended up early one morning at the emergency room because I was at the point I didn't feel like my nerves could take any more of the pain. He gave me a couple of xanax and told me to go home and sleep. I did but that didn't stop the burning. I called my gynecologist again and he spoke with my urologist. The urologist told him the mesh was eroding into my vagina and it needed to come out. The gynecologist said I had a whole in my vaginia and my skin was growing over it. I would need surgery to correct it. He still didn't believe that was the problem but we needed to rule it out. He put me on morphene for the surgery as well as a precription for demareol and phenagrengh and a 1000mg of Levaquin an antiobtioc. He also did a cystocope of my bladder and urethea and said it was fine. Out patient surgery . I was nauseated with all these antbiotics after the surgery and finishing the antiobiotics still burning ,I called my gynecologist and he told me to go back to my urologist. When I told him he didn't remove the sling only repaired it.He said he couldn't help me . The next day I ended up at the emergency room again. I was so agitated and in pain. I had another UtI He gave me some more pain pills, ativan and antiobtics. Fortunately my daughter and her family came Christmas Day.I started to trembling all over so back to the emergency room.I saw another dr which we did not care for. He diagnosed me with drug addiction . He gave me a shot of Morthene plus two methadone tablets and a prescription for more methadone and for me to go back to my pain management for detoxification. On the way home from the emergency room I starting vomiting and could keep nothing down. The next day I go back to the emergency room almost dehydrated and wetting on myself every time I threw up. They hooked me up to an IV with phenegreng and gave me some supposotories. I did sleep some that night but the next day the trembling starts again. My daughter took me to my primary dr. He started to put me on ativan but decided to send me over to the pavillion, mental hospital for an evaluation. I saw a nurse as well as a dr. and explained what I had been through the last four months. They told me I had been on to many antbiotics and drugs. I was not addicted and I didn't need to see a pscychiatrics. He gave me a prescriptions for my nerves and he said it would sedate me.

It has been 5 weeks since my surgery and for the past 3 weeks no burning.

My daughter called her gynecologist in Ga. She recommeded the Atlanta gyneuroliogist ,Associates in Atlanta ,Ga. I wanted an opinion and piece of mind whether this mesh should be completely removed. I was told it is major surgery. I went to see them and I was very impressed. He took me in his office and drew a diagram showing what my gynecolgist had done. He said it was unfortuate but I fell into that one percent where the sling was put in to tight to begin with. He said the surgery looked  good. and suggested to wait 3mos.to see if I have any more problems. If I do he suggested having it removed He showed me on a screen where my bladder and urethea looked good but my bladder has dropped some more. The last four months has been a living hell for me . I do feel the dr's should explained up front the problems that can occurr. If I had known all of this I would never had a sling put in.

If you would like I will e-mail you Atlanta's website. As far as I know they are the only group that performs surgery laproscopics.There website has videos of how the surgery is done. I am sure I will go back to him if It needs to be removed.

I am also going to be talking to a lawyer if their is a possibility of a lawsuit against the Co's making these tvt mesh. I certainly would have been better off not having a tvt sling.

DO NOT let Dr. John Miklos or any of the Drs. Nezhat in Atlanta operate on you. I went to both of them. 

Dr. Miklos is a paid medical advisor to Gynecare. He nearly killed a woman I know personally. He operated on her to remove mesh. He nicked her bowel. She was in intensive care for six weeks. She was seriously injured and even TODAY has to undergo more surgeries to repair what he did to her. The surgeries she is facing are life threatening. She is only 48 years old. Without the surgeries she may not live and the surgeries may kill her, too.

I went to the Drs. Nezhat for almost 10 years when I lived in Atlanta. They lied about their clinical trials for their publications that made them so famous and put them on the front of Time Magazine. Stanford University in California put them on probation for 2 years while they investigated their research. They eventually reinstated them.

HOWEVER....they operated on 16 women, removed their rectum to remove "endometriosis". These women were experiments. IT IS REALLY SCARY WHAT DOCTORS WILL DO TO WOMEN!!!  All of this is available if you search the internet.

I was being treated by the Drs. Nezhat while all of this was going and knew nothing of it. I knew that the energy in the office changed but thought it was because Camran and Farr Nezhat had gone to Stanford and only their brother Ceana was left at the office in Atlanta. Reality is that they were being sued for these EXPERIMENTS ON WOMEN!

RESEARCH ANY DOCTOR YOU SEE!!!

My friend who was so harmed by Dr. Miklos...he told her he had done thousands of mesh removal surgeries. He had not.

TAKE CHARGE OF YOUR OWN HEALTH!

RESEARCH ANY AND ALL DOCTORS AND ALL PROCEDURES THEY RECOMMEND. DO NOT BE A GUINEA PIG OR A VICTIM!!

peace and blessings, Lana

I AM REAL AND I AM AVAILABLE! I STAND BEHIND WHAT I SAY!!! 

Lana Keeton
P.O. Box 402494
Miami Beach, FL 33140

E-mail: miamiblog@bellsouth.net
Blog: http://www.theladyisachamp.blogspot.com/
Medical Mesh Yahoo Group: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/medicalmesh

lana

i am having all these problems to0 and the sutures are coming thru

and the doctors act like it is no big thing           i am in severe pain

and other probelms created    i am in miami   do you have a name of

an attorney to contact    that does this particular case and brand of

mesh          please email  me  i am not very good going thru this other type

of communicating on this site

Dear Lana,

  I was sincerely thinking of traveling to Atlanta to see Dr. Miklos since my tvt Caldera sling surgery almost 4 years ago...having no sex, irritation , stiffness pain, discharge and other bodily functions noticeable...tingling in left foot and side of leg...etc.  I realize that no doctors are perfect and mistakes happen, but if they really messed with studies that worries me.  I have no idea who to see now or what urogynecologist to trust that can remove this mesh out of me successfully leaving me with some peace afterwards and able to have sex!  I would like to hear from people who have had this removal procedure done and hear about their experience.  I am in Michigan, and the Grand Rapids area has no urogynecologist...went to Cleveland Clinic and got no help but for the doctor to say who all the doctors I had seen here he knew and that I was seeing "good people".....all of whom would not aknowledge my problem and tried to place it all on my own body, like suggesting I had interstitial cystitis even after every test said "not", including a urologist well known who said nothing was wrong.  I need to see a urogynecologist , but do not want one that " knows the gang" and will only make me feel like I am malingering or a baby because I get so emotional because this has been going on for almost 4 years.  My family and husband are suffering as well, which really hurts me the most.  Please, anyone with information please help.

Michlindy@comcast.net     Linda

I am Dr John Miklos and I am here to say that Ms Lana Keeton does NOT have all the facts. First of all I am not a paid medical advisor for Gynecare and have not been for at least 5 years.  I have no obligation to Johnson & Johnson.  Ms Keeton is disgruntled because she did not like my evaluation or Dr Nezhats evaluation of her problem and we personally would not support her decision and vendetta against Gynecare and Johnsons and Johnson. 

Secondly, as for Ms Keeton's friend: I never told her that I have removed "thousands" of meshes.  She had a sacral colpopexy with mesh which subsequently eroded into her vagina. This was a surgery performed by another doctor in another state.  She had already  been told by 3 other surgeons, including a Duke trained Urogynecologist who refused to do her surgery, that she had the chance of getting a colostomy if they tried to remove the mesh.  I explained to Ms Keeton's "friend" that I had removed more than a dozen sacral colpopexy meshes without a colostomy and despite performing more than 3000 surgeries I had never had a colostomy.  I assure you I told the patient that a colostomy was certainly a possibility.  Unfortunately she ended up with a colostomy. The patients even signed a consent explaining this was a possibility.

Thirdly, I have never violated research or been accused of compromising research data.  It is quite obvious that Ms Keeton has it in for any doctors who did not agree with her own diagnosis and her decision to go after Johnson and Johnson including: Dr Nezhat, Dr Alan Garely and myself.  Ms Keeton and all of you READERS Please GET YOUR FACTS STRAIGHT before making a decisoin.  Just do not listen to a single disgruntled  patient who none of us even operated on. Please realize that all of the surgeons she has mentioned are internationally renowned who have literally operated on thousands of patients and have worked years to build our very good reputations. 

Sincerely

John R. Miklos MD
www.MIklosandMoore.com

Hi Dr. Miklos,

How are you? Nice to see you here among the world of synthetic medical mesh victims. So what brought you here? Protecting your income? 

As for the facts about you, mine are completely straight and backed up by your sworn deposition testimony on March 30, 2007 at your offices in Alpharetta, Georgia.

Using the age old "the best defense is a good offense" are you? Attacking the messenger? Say that because a patient signs a consent form, it's okay that you nick a rectum or two, here and there. Wow, really glad that I sought a second opinion and you did not operate on me.

Out here in cyberspace among the thousands of medical mesh sufferers, you will not get far. "A single disgruntled patient"..."A vendetta against you and Gynecare and Johnson & Johnson". Worried about all that money you make doing clinical trials and being a paid medical advisor to so many pharmaceutical companies including Gynecare/Johnson & Johnson (1998 to present)....at least that is what your 27 page curriculum vitae says.

By the way, where are the outcomes for all those new procedures and trials listed on your website? Outcomes good enough to publish?

Women from 46 states and 26 countries?

I pray that God protects each and every woman that you operate on.

Lana Keeton

miamiblog@bellsouth.net

www.theladyisachamp.blogspot.com 

Lana Keeton DOES have all the facts and you know that Dr. John Miklos. No reply? Would like a response regarding your 27 page curriculum vitae...Is the curriculum vitae you provided for the sworn deposition testimony incorrect?

www.theladyisachamp.blogspot.com

Dear Dr. Mikios,

  Have you ever heard of HIPPA?  I would be bringing suit against you right now if I were this patient for giving out my medical history.  Can't believe you are really a doctor or you would know better.

I had TVT-O Bladder Sling Surgery over 2 yrs. Since then, I've never been able to have intercourse without being in pain. Now, I've started to leak a little, more  frequent urination, as well as burning towards midway to end of urination. Any info or advice on what this could be?

Thanks!

I also had the T.V.T. surgery done last July.07 and the G.Y.N. that done the surgery said I was all healed up.  I hurt for 2 months and he finally examined me again and said that I had a hole in my vaginal wall and that the T.V.T. tape was hanging down in the hole, he also said I had to have surgery again to fix this problem, I did in Sept.07 I could not stop bleeding after the surgery,I kept going back to him, and to the E.R. finally after 3 week os bleeding I stopped.  I still hurt he last examined me in Oct.07 and said everything is fine he doest know why I hurt still go to the bathroom all the time.  I finally got up enough nerve and went to see another G.Y.N. he examined me and said that I still have a hole in my vaginal wall and that the Dr. who done my T.V.T. surgery should not have done it on me because I am over weight and he is not a specialist.  I am haveing to go to see a specialist in about 1 month and see what he says I need done.  I wish to GOD I would have never had this surgery done.  Please if anyone knows of a good lawyer let me know or if anyone has been told they have a hole in their vaginal wall let me know.  Thank you and GOD bless each one of you.

Gwen,

I hope you got the e-mail I sent you last week...please write to me if you did not. Please go to the link to the yahoo group below and ask to join. There is a lot of information there, too, that will help you and anyone else searching for answers to complications from the Gynecare TVT Prolene bladder suspension mesh.

As of the December 2006 there were 12 deaths from the Gyencare TVT tape. Go to the FDA's website and search their adverse event reports. It is all there!

peace and blessings, Lana

Lana Keeton
P.O. Box 402494
Miami Beach, FL 33140

E-mail: miamiblog@bellsouth.net
Blog: http://www.theladyisachamp.blogspot.com/
Medical Mesh Yahoo Group: http://health.groups.yahoo.com/group/medicalmesh

how is it now has they fix the problem

No not yet. I was due for another op the 12th Jan 2009 but now they say they cann't do it because it is to risky. My bladder doesn't empty properly(+- 2oo ml left ) an I leak as soon as it gets a bit full. I use a catheter a few times a day,also wear a pad but it doesn't really help cause as soon as I get full I begin to leak. Some damage has been done to my euretha which they said was no fault of theirs. The urogyny is now sending me for a MRI scan on the 1/4/2009 he thinks all my problems come from a neck injury I got in a car accident many years ago. I still say it is not an I told them that.I have told them it is difficult for me to out as I need to be near a loo and not laugh which I love doing. Sometimes I wonder if they know what they are doing. So we will just have to wait an see. I am going to the Albert Luthli hospital in Durban as we do not have medical aid it is an hour an a half from where we are in Portshepstone.

Does your pain feel like pinching in the vagina and a sense of burning in the vagina all the time, including burning while voiding?  I have had a TVT Sling since March of 2005.  I have had absolutely no problems until recently.  Apparently I had endometriosis in my ureter as well as around the outside of my ureter, which caused a backup in my kidneys.  My urologist had to go up through my urethra into my bladder up through my ureter and into my kidneys--twice in two weeks.  I have a stent in my ureter.  Ever since the second stent surgery, I have had burning when voiding.  I was told I had a UTI and was given antibiotics.  I was also told that the stent can cause burning when voiding.  I keep telling my gyn and urologist that I don't think the burning is from the stent.  The pain is in my vagina.  My gyn and urologist did internal exams and they both said the sling is in the right place and there does not seem to be a problem.  It feels like I have an infection (hot feeling) in my vagina.  When I do kegal exercises, I can feel something there.  I am hoping when the stent is finally removed the burning will stop, but I am stressed out every day dealing with the burning when voiding.  The sling has worked very well, but I wonder if it really has moved or is eroding into my vagina but just hasn't completely eroded yet.  I am going to see my uro/gyn from 2005 if I don't get answers quick.  I am just trying to figure out if this burning/hot feeling could be from the TVT and not the stent.

I had this monarc subfascial hammock in 2005 , it was to be an out patient , stayed in the hospuital 5 days, damage to my obitrator never and had to have a blood transfusion, doc said there was a time I should have stopped, had to have ortho, sent home, only to go back with fluid on my heart, no attorney would take my case, swelling in my right leg forever and I still leak, had the doctor told me that the pain pills I was taking could make bladder leak, I could have stopped them and no operation,

I am having chronic yeast infection either due to the mesh or pads I need to wear

mine ws made by american medical systems, no recall on the one I had yet, but my time ran out to sue doctor, it felt like my pelvis was broken, it took him 1.5 house, said my pelvis was too small, only to find out this is a blind procedure where they have to find the obitutrator opening by feeing for it

am trying to find a doc to take it out, but scared, please email me at roblynn812@aol.com if anyone knows of a good doc near Lancaster PA, also since i tried to sue the doctor his whole practice will not see me, even though he left and went with the only other one in Lancaster

I can't believe I am reading this...Yesterday I went to a colon/rectal surgery because ever since I had the TVT operation 5/07, I have had severe bowel issues.  When I went in for the surgery, I had no idea what my life would be like after this "simple" procedure.  Like so many others, I had a foley cath for two weeks after the surgery, numerous infections, an unbearable pain and fowl odor when urinating, then just when I thought I might be through the worst of it, I could not urinate at all.  I need to self-cath four times a day.  This went for two months.  I was then schedule for another surgery which seemed to help with my voiding problems however I was still unable to have bowel movement without severe pain often vomiting from the pain.  I have seen numerous doctors being told that my symptoms are due to stress, depression, not enough fiber, not enough fluids, not enough exerise.  I have been humilated by numerous procedures and going through biofeedback.  The colon/rector surgeon that I saw yesterday had requested all my previous records.  I requested that copies be sent to me so I could keep them in my files,  Well, low and behold, yesterday I read the word from a biopsy report stating CHRONIC TISSUE INFLAMMATION - TVT SAMPLE.  I didn't know what the TVT meant and after researching found out that my issues are not unique - However, your posting was the only one that I have found that discussed the issue of bowel dysfunction and constipation.  I am sad to read you posting and wish you the best, but your words helped me to realize that the symptoms that I have been exhibiting are not in my head as so many professional have told me.

Please write back and let me know how you are doing.  I don't think I can continue feeling sick all the time.

I had a sacrocolpopexy which is polapsed organ lift. My colon was attached to the mesh and I was hospitalized several times not knowing what was going on. I found out that my bowels were getting caught in the mesh and it did not permit me to empty therefor I would be rushed to the hospital with severe pain. At one time I almost died. I was intebated an unresponsive when I got to the hospital.

I had several kidney stents, pain with bowel or urine empting.

On Dec. 22,08 I had the mesh removed. The Doctor stated "It was worse then he expected". I am looking for am attorney to take my case for I am permanetly disabled due to this "MESH". The pain is so bad that i can not believe they are still doing this proceedure. I am still battling bladder pain and problem empting due to an incompetent nurse that left me to sufer for 4 hours with a full bladder. Now I am suffering with that.

My bowels were so hindered by the mesh that I got impacted and had pain until I passed out. I learned to take miralax twice a day and it made my BM alot easier. Oh my colon is paralyzed from the mesh also. I have had nerve blocks to remedy the problem in my legs and ankles caused by the mesh being tied to a nerve and tendon. This is a summary of some of the problems I have had. Please email me with any info you can share that may help us gather info to stop this reckless surgery. It should be stopped!

If you have an attorney that iis taking cases, please give me his/her phone number. thank you.

I am going to search "yahoo". I heard there was a group there with Mesh concerns also.