Mesh exposed 6 weeks post op - concerned

I am six weeks post op for 3rd degree rectocele repair and placement of a urethral sling.

Two weeks post op I became very sick with a high temp and bleeding out my urethra. Doc did an exam and said I had an infection as a result of surgery. He prescribed antibiotics and I got better.

In the past few weeks I've noted nearly constant urethral pain. At first it was an aching pain and then became a pinching pain. I've also had a nearly constant gooey, icky urethral discharge for the past 2-3 weeks.

On Tuesday I had my six week post op appointment. I reported the urethral pain and discharge. The doctor did a pelvic exam and said he thought he felt exposed mesh. He then did a very painful speculum exam so that he could attempt to see what he was feeling. Sure enough there was exposed mesh from the sling. The doctor cut out what mesh he could but was unable to get it all because I could no longer tolerate the pain he was causing. He also said it was likely the mesh that was causing the discharge.

When I asked the doctor why the mesh would be exposed he said that sometimes there is incomplete healing that causes it. I probably didn't ask the right questions..I was in so much pain all I wanted to do was get out of his office.

Doc wants to see me again in a month to evaluate the situation.

Does this sound like mesh erosion? In addition to the pain I've also been coping with nearly constant itching at the urethra. I'm beginning to think I am having an allergic reaction to the mesh. Has anyone heard of anything like this happening?

Any help is appreciated.

Debbie

Debbie--

Yep, that sounds like mesh erosion to me (take it from someone who has Been There and Done That). If your doctor is reluctant to remove it OR especially, if he does not have enough experience in removing it, find someone who has the experience and get him/her to remove it. Over and over it's been proven that it's the best way to treat this nasty stuff. [Go to pubmed.gov and type in 'vaginal mesh erosion' to read the many reports. Also Google Search it here on Hyster Sisters.]

Seriously, my first doctor was a very nice man who did NOT have the experience to do it right. I let him try to remove the mesh and THAT WAS A HUGE MISTAKE. He did 2 partial removals in the operating room that did NOT solve the problem. Then, the worst thing of all, he tried to do several removals in his office--just what you are describing--and they were horrible, AWFUL, painful things! I got to calling them "In-Office Torture Procedures". I still shudder when I think of how truly awful they were. I think most women (there have been a few who say the IOTP are not that bad for them) need the anesthesia of a full-blown OR for this mesh removal.

For my final and almost complete (2 sidearms of mesh were left in because of their proximity to the nerves of the bladder and thus dangerous to remove) mesh removal, I interviewed 2 experts who both had experience in mesh removal. I went on consults to both of them. This was after I had called many offices of urogynecologists (UroGYN's) in my large metropolitan area asking the head nurse about the doctors' expertise in both mesh insertion and removal so I wouldn't waste their time or mine. I spent quite a good deal of time but hey, after 2 wasted surgeries and tortuous office procedures, I was ready to do that homework. I chose one and that was and it turned out excellent for me.

I recommend finding a medical teaching college or major medical clinic if you can get to one to find UroGYN's who will likely have this kind of experience. You can also do a google search of your area and surrounding geographical region to find such experts.

As for the symptoms of mesh erosion, thick discharge, pain, itching, those are ALL part of it. Most of us are on antibiotics to try and help keep the infection to a minimum and also on premarin to keep the tissues healing while the erosion is happening. Those things do seem to help some BUT don't completely heal the problem.
Sending you only the very best of good vibes......
Let us know how things go and what you decide to do...