Complication with Cystocele Repair/Hysterectomy Surgery

I had a double surgery 10/15/07 - hysterectomy and cystocele repair with bladder sling. This has been a nightmare. I recovered wonderfully from the hysterectomy, which was 'required' by the doctor doing the bladder surgery. I didn't really need it and am now regretting it. Shortly after the surgery, at a follow-up appt. by my OBGYN, she noticed that the incision by the Urologist was "open". I spent 6 weeks trying to get him to see me, once he did he down played it. Thank goodness my OBGYN jumped on him and I was in emergency surgery Christmas Eve. Last Monday I went in for my 6 week check up (of the 2nd surgery) and the incision healed open again. I am so upset. The doctor decided to do nothing and pretty much told me to "live with it". He said I was at a high risk for infection, so he gave me 4 months worth of antibiotics and put me on a estrogen vaginal tab. 4 days later (Friday) I had a high fever (as if things couldn't get worse) and now I have a raging infection in the incision. Other have suggested that the incision is not healing because I am rejecting it. Anyone want to weigh in on their experiences? The mesh is hanging through the incision - before surgery #2 my bladder was comfortably in the incision. I was looking for some support, this has been so hard. All the doctors I try to contact send me back to the original doctor stating that he is the best. How am I suppose to live with a 4 inch opening in my vagina?

You poor thing! How dare your doctor tell you to live with it. Do you know what type of mesh they put in you?

I go in again on 19th for the third attempt to repair my prolapses. The last one was abdominal and I still have spitting sutures and mesh rejection. They don't have any answers for me until they open up and see what has happened. I also had a staph infection in the incision so they don't know what's happened to the mesh if it's come away due to the sutures, if its infected or what.
It's so frustrating, you go in for one thing and then something else goes wrong.

I know the FDA have recalled some mesh, and also some sutures. How do we find out if thats what they put in us? Do you see a Uro/Gyn? I'm here for you if you want to talk.

I know how you feel. I had a TVH/ cystocele repair and bladder sling done in Sept. 2006. It was a total nightmare. I woke up in the ICU on a ventalator because the dr said a suture to an artery came untied and I lost 8 units of blood. Now 18 months later, I am still having problems with mesh rejection and rectrocele. I am getting ready to have the mesh removed and the rectrocele repair done soon. I am sorry for your problems. I hope you get better soon.

ShepherdLover--

I am extremely sorry you are in such pain and have had such awful mesh problems. Many, many S to you...

There have actually been quite a few HysterSisters who have had mesh erosion or rejection problems here. I myself was one of them. Have you ever been seen by a UroGYN (urogynecologist)? They are considered the pelvic floor specialists for women and the ones who are most likely to have experience in removing mesh--probably because they put in so much of it. Before my 3rd and last mesh removal surgery, I called around and found 2 experts (UroGYN's) in mesh removal in my area and interviewed and was examined by both of them. I asked their office receptionist before I ever made the appointment if the Dr. would have the experience I was looking for since I didn't want to waste their time or my time or money. It was an important step for me in looking for the right doctor. Both had quite a bit of experience. I would have felt comfortable with either one of them doing the removal surgery. I do feel like I made a good decision and I've been doing well ever since having the rest of the mesh removed since February of last year.

There is hope. Please don't give up. Find a UroGYN you can trust AND who has experience in mesh removal. You don't have to live with the pain and misery. If you live near any major medical school, that is another place you may be able to look to find the right Dr. Major medical clinics such as the Mayo Clinic, would be another source.

Sending a BIG and extra good vibes..........

[font=Arial]Thank you for sharing your information. I am currently stuck between doctors. I still have a 4 in. opening - about 1 inch wide (vaginally) and last week the mesh tore through the other side, so now I am bleeding. In the meantime, my doctor is refusing to release my surgery records to the other doctors. I finally went to my regular family doctor, gave him my whole story. He was great - shocked at this other doctors unwillingness to solve my issues. He referred me to a urological specialist in a big city close by, apparently she deals with complications.
I've been waiting 2 weeks now to see her, however, the original doctor will not release the surgery notes to her. Also, I got into a physical therapist regarding my hip hurting since the surgery, well, they couldn't do anything for it because xrays turned up that it was the mesh sling going through my pelvic bone that was causing all the pain. I appreciate everyones support, things seem to be raining health issues at my house. (Tore my knee out in a fall this weekend and my 9 year old (girl) severed the top of a finger) - Tammie

Tammie,
I'm not sure what's up in the US, but in Canada you have a right to have a copy of your records. Further, the surgical report would be sent from my surgeon to my GP. Does your GP not have any record of your surgery?
I think if I were you, I would go into his office and say to the nurse, "I want a copy of my surgical records and I'm not leaving until I get it. My voice will get louder and louder until you give me a copy of the record." Now in my case, I could get my husband to do this for me - and he would relish the task. So if you're not up for this confrontation, maybe you need to find a forthright person (I'm not saying you're not - it's just that you have so much going on) to do it for you.
It's just crazy that we have to go to these lengths. This is information about our health!
Good luck!
All the best,
Val