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Cathie Maison submission of 7 July 2021

PE1865/LL - Suspend all surgical mesh and fixation devices

I am pelvic mesh injured. In 2010, I had a Tension-free Vaginal Tape Obturator (TVTO) put in.

How have you ended up with mesh?

I wet myself a few times went to my GP who referred me to a Physiotherapist. She told me that she couldn't help me further (which I now know is rubbish) and referred me to a hospital.

Were you fully informed?

No, I was told by a consultant that it was a simple operation and that the tape would eventually melt away. 

How was your aftercare?

Not great. I woke up from the operation in agony. I was sent home after I went to the loo. The next day I couldn't stand from the pain and all I had was paracetamol. I called the ward but no one from the nursing staff would speak to me. I was in excruciating pain for weeks after the operation and the GP just said she was sorry that I felt it hadn't worked. I was off work longer than after my hysterectomy and then off a month after going back to work with depression. 

What issues have come from it?

I have a tvt-o and it was put in too tight. No one in Scotland can remove it completely. If someone had spoken to me the day after the operation it may have been released a bit. 11 years on I still have pain. I wet myself more than before operation. I am unable to have a full sex life.

Do you feel supported and listened to?

I didn't for years after the operation but I eventually seen a consultant who listened to me.

Why you feel your submission is important to the petition?

To stop other women having the same operation. Also, to raise awareness of how dangerous plastic mesh can be to future generations of men and women.

After the first petition by Elaine Holmes & Olive McIlroy I feel the government have not followed through on recommendations suggested to them by various bodies involved in the mesh scandal.