Hi, am due to have my op for posterior and anterior repair and tvt on Thursday😕

There are many Urogynaecologists who can perform this operation now. I know 3 in my area alone who are trained and registered to operate and they are continuing to train other Urogynaecologists. Regarding the removal, there is no need to remove it unless there was a problem.

At the time I had my TVT OP I trusted the surgeon, but was not informed it was a permanent device and not easily removed. I also know of a lot of others who have had these devices and had to go through removal. Fortunatley I have not had my deviced messed about with by unexperianced surgeons who are not experianced in removing them which would have made surgery more difficult. They also cause urine retention that in turn cause Atrial Fibrillation. I also suffer a lot from low back pain and and groin pain that feels like glass and told I needed new hips joints which fortunatley I did not agree with but now I have heard from the specialist that some women have had new hip joints when they were not needed as the groin ain was caused by the mesh TVT. The MHRA clearly cannot do anything as they are in keeping with the EU regulations and have their response. Scotland too has banned this surgery and not without good reason. Any patient today should do a lot of research on medical devices and drugs and weigh it up before committing themselves.

The Royal College of Gynaecologists closely monitor and regulate pelvic floor surgery hence any gynaecologist performing this surgery is called a Urogynaecologist because they have undertaken extra training after becoming a gynaecologist. All surgery especially TVT and repairs using mesh can only be performed by Urogynaecologists and now it is rare for a consultant who hasn't had the training to perform a pelvic floor repair. Now all NHS Trusts have at least one Urogynaecologist.

It was a Urogynaecologist who implanted my TVT, but at the time I did not know that he could not remove it (had no experiance). This was in a London Hospital. My local hospital has had to pay out a lot of compensation. The most important thing to ask a Urogynaecologist what his experiance is in removing mesh. I am under one of the only two Urogynaecologist's in England who have experiance in removing mesh TVT and even then damage can get done as removing mesh is like removing chewing gum from your hair. Nerves too can get damaged in that area by mesh TVT. A lot of the Scottish mesh sufferers have ended up in wheel chairs, some on crutches and some have even lost organs as a result of the harm done by mesh TVT. I too have problems walking and reliant of a walking stick and mobility scooter and now have to have transport to get to the hospital in London as getting onto a train today as again made for platforms in the EU, are too high up to climb onto when you have pain in the back and groin.

Some of this information is actually incorrect. There are more than 2 Urogynaecologists who are exprerienced in removing mesh because I know 3 in my area! The problems regarding mesh in most cases is because the surgery was performed by gynaecologists who weren't trained to do so. I wasn't going to respond to your post but if any woman reading this was due to have surgery it could be very upsetting for her. 

Agree with you matron that things are and have moved on; I have a neighbour who had repair done with mesh years ago and things went badly wrong and she has had a horrendous time.

I also know a friend of my daughter who had a mesh repair years ago and has had no problems at all.

I know their were lots of surgeons being sued in the USA, but had heard that many were not trainef properly.

Had also heard they had banned the use of mesh here until such time as surgeons are properly trained on procedures; so it makes sense what you are saying Matron.

Really good to know that the NHS is monitoring these procedures and restricting who does them, that way we are all in safer hands.

Phyl ☺☺☺

I've never known any surgery monitored so closely as the repair with mesh which is very reassuring. When the surgery is successful the repair is unlikely to fail and last longer although we don't know how long because it is a new procedure here in England.

Matron, question for you!

If my repair fails in 10 years time and I have too much scar tissue, would they be able to do repair with mesh/some of that bio-stuff from cells and tissues from elsewhere?

Phyl

In 10 years I wonder what wonderful techniques they will be using but to answer your question they could use mesh and tissues from another part of your body but there would have to be a lot of scar tissue (adhesions) to prevent them from performing the operation the standard way. Let's hope your repair lasts longer than 10 years. Mine was almost 6 years ago so I'm keeping everything crossed 

Hi Matron,

Thank you matron, I do hope my repair lasts long enough at least till even better techniques are available and surgeons can do them with eyes closed.

Seriously though really glad we live in UK with such a good health service and where our medical staff are some of the best in the world.

I stop worrying now about future and concentrate on making sure thus repair is a success and being extra careful to ensure it lasts.

Phyl xx

Hubby just booked our holidays, I wanted to wait till last min, just in case I overdo it at work. Never mind he has went and done it, going to Playa del Ingles Grand Canaria at end June / beg July. ☺☺☺

You'll have a lovely time in Gran Canaria phyllis and the lovely weather will be a fantastic tonic x

Good question

I will swim for free every day and do lots of pelvic floor exercises while sun bathing, our accommodation is fairly central so lots of short walks throughout the day. Laundrette on site so will make do with extra big case for hubby and a smaller one for me and will keep it lightweight.

Will have to be real careful when back at work though.

Phyl ☺☺☺

Good to know that techniques and skills are improving all the time Sarah!

Phyl☺☺☺

Yes it sure is , that's all I can think about . I know it's not doing any good thinking about the what if's but in a wag it's making me take this recovery more seriously than I would have done I think , happy healing