The hunt is on for doctors who do “traditional”, non-mesh, repairs for POP (Pelvic Organ Prolapse), SUI (Stress Uriniary Incontenence), Hernia, and/or have experience with FULL mesh removal and repairs for damages caused by mesh complications.
Most doctors that do surgery for POP, SUI, and Hernia STILL use mesh. I know there are doctors that are helping with mesh removal and doing non-mesh pelvic repairs, but they also still implant mesh as well. They are capable of doing non-mesh repairs, as well as mesh repairs. There is no denying that some of these doctors, that still use mesh, have also helped countless women, and I am thankful for that.
I am not saying anyone should NOT go to one of these other doctors that still uses mesh if they can help them with non-mesh repairs, or mesh removal. In fact, I’m not saying anyone should go to any doctor that they haven’t researched themselves. That is a personal choice, and all things need to be taken into consideration.
In general, it can be difficult to find a doctor to do non-mesh repairs. Most doctors are still using mesh, and some only know how to do repairs if they use mesh. Using one’s own tissue is often thought of as the “old-fashion way”, and some doctors are not even trained in these methods anymore. Be fair warned, though, if you do get mesh, that it is even more difficult to find a doctor that can do full mesh removal should you have some of those “not rare” mesh complications. Very few doctors are really experts at full mesh removal.
What about UroGynecologists?
I like the idea of UroGyns, in general, and having doctors being specially trained in both fields of Urology and Gynecology. I am sure there’s many good UroGyns out there. However, I personally believe a UroGyn may, or may not be, the best to do repairs without mesh, or deal with mesh removal. I certainly don’t think that JUST because they are a UroGyn they are automatically better for this. Experience is still a big factor.
If mesh is a concern, know that most UroGyn’s seem to be pro-mesh. Some will do repairs without mesh as well, but it seems most also still use it, especially for stress urinary incontinence. AUGs (the association for UroGyns) seems to be big part of the mesh-mess problem since they continue to defend and promote using mesh -(please see: https://meshmenot.wordpress.com/2014/04/16/augs-addressing-mesh-complications-and-helping-patients-or-just-defending-mesh/).
They also spread the false belief that if you go to a UroGyn for a mesh implant, you will be fine. (The old, “it’s the doctor, not the mesh” BS. Please see #7, in the post “Top 10 Things to Know About Mesh BEFORE Having Surgery for POP or SUI“).
Because UroGynecology is fairly new field, there are many older, very experienced doctors that do pelvic repairs (like Dr. Raz) that may NOT be classified as a UroGyn. You shouldn’t necessarily rule them out just because of that. They may have decades more experience than any UroGyn. In fact, if you are looking for a doctor to do non-mesh repairs, you may be better looking for an older, more experienced, doctor that was around before mesh came into play.
So, be sure to ask any potential doctor a lot of questions. This article, and the links at the end may help. https://meshmenot.wordpress.com/2015/05/06/finding-the-right-doctor-for-surgical-mesh-complications/
Also ask other people. Check reviews. Know that if you are looking for a UroGyn online on websites like vitals.com, they are often listed under “Obstetrician & Gynecologist (OB/GYN)”, or “urologist”, since it does not seem to have a category for UroGyns. Most UroGyns, are also OBGyns or Urologists as well.
So, what about the doctors who do not use mesh at all?
Maybe they never used it? Or, maybe they use to use it, but they stopped using it when they saw how many problems it was causing? I am interested in finding more of these doctors. Doctors that are willing to go against today’s norm, when many doctors are still actively promoting and using mesh. I’m looking for doctors that believe that mesh, in general, is not beneficial to their patients – and so they do not use it.
Here is a short list of these doctors. I hope to add more to this blog post, and feature them on other posts, so please share if you have a list, or name!
DOCTORS WHO DO NOT USE MESH
US
CALIFORNIA
Shlomo Raz, M.D.
Dr. Shlomo Raz
(POP/SUI)
UCLA School of Medicine
200 UCLA Medical Plaza, Suite 140
Los Angeles, California 90095
Phone 310-794-0208 / Fax 310-794-0211
Web: http://www.uclahealth.org/body.cfm?id=479&action=detail&ref=4843
More information and pictures from my trip to UCLA: www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.304027056398512.1073741830.299505896850628&type=3
and see: https://meshmenot.wordpress.com/2015/01/10/dr-shlomo-raz/
His colleagues, Dr. Larissa V. Rodríguez, and Dr. Ja-hong Kim are also working with him doing many mesh removal surgeries. I am not sure, however, if either of them also implant mesh or not.
Articles Featuring Dr. Raz:
Dr. Tom Margolis
Dr. Tom Margolis
(POP/SUI)
Bay Area Center for Pelvic Surgery and Urogynecology
Burlingame, Ca / Los Gatos, Ca. / Pleasanton, CA
Phone: (650) 228-4052
Email: mtom.margolis@yahoo.com
Web: www.bapelvicsurgery.com
“Dr. Margolis has always maintained from the start that the synthetic mesh systems used for transvaginal surgery were dangerous and his warnings were realized when published reports began reporting the high complication rate from mesh and sling systems. “
(from: http://www.bapelvicsurgery.com/mesh-sling-complications.html)
Articles Featuring Dr. Margolis
- http://bapelvicsurgery.com/repair-of-surgical-complications.html
- http://www.americanownews.com/story/17939546/routine-surgery-for-women-can-cause-lifelong-complications
- http://www.bapelvicsurgery.com/images/11-2.pdf
- http://meshmedicaldevicenewsdesk.com/featured-articles/pelvic-surgeon-dr-m-tom-margolis-on-getting-the-mesh-out/
NEW YORK
Dr. Blaivas and Dr. Purohit
Dr Jerry Blaivas and Dr. Purohit
(POP/SUI)
Urocenter of New York
445 East 77th Street
New York, NY 10075
Phone: 212-772-3900 / Fax: 212-772-1919
Web: www.urocenterofnewyork.com
This is from Dr. Blaivas website:
“Many surgeons use plastic material called mesh to support the tissue, but this may result in serious complications (the FDA has issued a warning about this). Dr. Blaivas and Dr. Purohit do not do these mesh surgeries – they use only your own natural tissue for the repair.”
(from: http://www.urocenterofnewyork.com/for-women/pelvic-organ-prolapse/prolapsed-bladder-pessaries)
NEVADA
Dr. Kevin Petersen
(HERNIA)
No Insurance Surgery, Inc.
Phoe: 866-442-5409
Las Vegas, Nevada
website: http://www.noinsurancesurgery.com/about-us.htm
website testimonials: http://www.noinsurancesurgery.com/testimonials
From their website:
“Our primary area of specialty is non-mesh hernia repair and treatment of patients who are suffering from pain caused by hernia mesh.”
ENGLAND
Mr. Peter Jones, and Mrs. Sue Jones
(HERNIA)
South East England Hernia Clinic
BMI Somerfield Hospital 63-77 London Road
Maidstone, Kent ME 16 0DU
Phone: 01622 695533
Web: www.herniaoperation.co.uk/
This is from their website:
______________________
Do you know of more doctors that DO NOT USE surgical mesh for repairs of hernial, POP, or SUI? Please share!
Also, please note, that you still need to verify all information, and choose your doctors carefully. This list is by no means a recommendation for these doctors, and I am not affiliated with any of them. Please do your homework when looking for a doctor: https://meshmenot.wordpress.com/2015/05/06/finding-the-right-doctor-for-surgical-mesh-complications/
==============Related Blog Posts================
- Searching for Docs Experienced with FULL Mesh Removal, and/or NON-Mesh Repairs
- Finding the Right Doctor for Surgical Mesh Complications
- Are you Sick and Tired of Lawyer Ads about MESH?
- It’s NOT enough. We need help!
- Mesh-Injured People: NOT rare. NOT going away. NOT getting SUPPORT!
- Are you a GOOD mesh? Or a BAD mesh?
- Partial vs. Full Mesh Removal Surgery
- Were you told that you were the “only one”?
- Top 10 Myths Woman are Told Today about Pelvic Mesh
- Top 10 Things to Know About Mesh BEFORE Having Surgery for POP or SUI
==============Support Groups================
- Women’s POP/SUI TVMesh Complications Support (Closed Group)
- Fighters And Survivors of All Transvaginal Mesh And Hernia Mesh/Plugs (Closed Group)
- Mesh Me Not – Upstate NY (Closed Group)
- Mesh Problems (PUBLIC/OPEN TO ALL, including doctors, etc)
- More resources listed on the footer/main page of this blog!
Mesh Me Not 
The Center for Women’s Health in CT
60 Westwood Ave Suite 100
Waterbury, CT 06708
Phone: (203) 573-1425
We do not use mesh in my practice for POP (pelvic organ prolapse). My group is now 6 gyn surgeons and 4 are robotic advanced laparoscopic and vaginal surgeons. We stopped using all mesh kits in 2010 when even the softer larger pore newer less amount of mesh kits were being named in suits. None of us have had a bad complication but the liability was too high. We are all trained in traditional suture vaginal defect repairs and ligament suture fixation surgery. These are are our main repertoire however a few of us still do some vaginal mesh slings (transobturator/transvaginal) We have found that in 4th degree prolapse with urinary incontinence the biological tissue slings degenerate in 2-5 years. The mesh stays in place and keeps the patient dry. There is a 10% complication rate with any method including the suture only repairs with suture material eroding like mesh material or poor healing and prolonged wound or granulation tissue with pain or bleeding and painful sex or unable to have sex at all. Sometimes mesh or suture or non healing tissue has to be removed in another surgery. Not all these complication happen to the same person to make the 10% complication rate fortunately and rarely has anyone needed another surgery (1/1000 risk). Catestrophic complications like bowel bladder ureter kidney vessel nerve injury or blood clots stroke heart attack emboli or even death is 1/100,000 risk. The risk of getting struck by lightening or of dying in a car wreck is around 1/500. We review all this and adjust the procedures to the needs and comforts and health of each patient as the individual she is.
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Mary – Thank you for the info. So glad to hear your practice is not using the mesh kits for prolapse and that you are helping women withOUT mesh. Very good to know.
I am sorry to hear the TOT slings are still be used for SUI. I had a TOT Monarc sling. It is what started all my problems – and the TOT slings, especially, are known for causing groin/leg problems. I went all the way to UCLA to have it removed, since local doctors would not/could not remove the “arms” of the sling in my groin – which was where all my pain stemmed from.
I have to respectfully disagree with your stats about the risks being so low for mesh slings. I would like to see any links to any research/articles you may have on this. ? I have seen studies that show complication rate as high as 30% – and studies showing that even the newest, smallest “mini slings” are causing similar, major, complications. (See https://meshmenot.wordpress.com/2015/01/10/mini-slings-cause-mesh-complications-too/)
There are FDA warnings that say there is NO evidence that repairs with mesh have any clinical benefit over non-mesh repairs (https://meshmenot.wordpress.com/2015/04/02/fda-warns-there-is-no-evidence-that-mesh-provided-any-greater-clinical-benefit-than-non-mesh-surgeries/).
Where are these studies showing that the mesh repairs last longer and work better?
Not having long-term data is a problem. Of course, who is doing the studies and what they base them on is a big issues. I’m guessing my implanting doc reports my surgery as a success too. After all, I stopped leaking urine. Never mind I could not walk. ?? I was told, by several doctors when I first started having problems that it was “not the mesh”. Later, I had the pathology report to prove the mesh had eroded/cut through my obturator, and abductor muscles, was causing spasms, FBR and inflammation., etc.. and learned that the TOT slings are known for groin/leg/nerve issues because of how they are placed.
At least if your own tissue fails, you do not have the ADDED complications of having some foreign body of toxic plastic inside you, wreaking havoc in your insides, and hardly any doctors can remove. I have also talked to far too many women in support groups that, like me, only had mesh for SUI.. and STILL had major major complications.
Yes… everything has risks. As you mentioned, “The risk of getting struck by lightening or of dying in a car wreck is around 1/500″… but, we all HAVE to drive and venture out of our houses to live our lives. We do not all HAVE to have mesh surgery… especially, when there are other options that work just as well without the added risks. If people knew the real risks in advance, I don’t think many would be getting mesh for SUI, risking life-altering complications, just to not leak when they sneeze if they really knew the facts.
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There is an article supporting using mesh for sui in JAMA asurgery Sept 2015.
In it Winkler explained that incontinence treatment requires just a small strip of synthetic mesh that is inserted to support the urethra, while surgeons must use larger pieces of mesh to treat prolapse.
To assess the safety of mesh in treating incontinence, Welk’s team tracked the number of Ontario women who needed a follow-up surgery to remove or fix a mesh implant. The study, which was published online Sept. 9 in the journal JAMA Surgery, included almost 60,000 women who had the procedure April 2002 through December 2012.
Overall, just over 1,300 women — or 2.2 percent — needed a follow-up surgery within an average of about a year after receiving a mesh implant for stress urinary incontinence, the findings showed.
I believe this as this is more consistent with my experience close to 3% complication rate for mesh slings and for suture only repars close to 1-2% complication rate. It is terrible that you had a nerve entrapment from your TOT sling…I have seen of those and it is debilitating. The sling is usually easy to remove and release the the nerve and resolve the pain. It is more terrible that yours could not be easily removed. Yes I agree with you that it would be better to leak than create such a terrible complication of a complication. I hope you are getting better. Where are you now in this complication? I do mot believe in deception and do want to know all sides of an issue and do my very best for all my patients so this is why I am interested in your blog. Thanks!
Mary
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Hello again… and thanks again for another thoughtful comment.
I believe I know what study you are reffering to… I wrote about it before..
============
One in 30 require further surgery after vaginal mesh treatment: study
http://www.ctvnews.ca/mobile/health/one-in-30-require-further-surgery-after-vaginal-mesh-treatment-study-1.2554491
MY RESPONSE:
Saw & shared this last week too. Non mesh repairs definitely require a more skilled doctor that specializes in that area. Mesh is much easier to insert (NOT remove), and was marketed to every gyn, uro, & urogyn doc, even ones who prior to mesh never did these kinds of repair. This came up in the lawsuits against the mesh manufacturers, where they admitted to marketing to less skilled docs.
I will add, also, that I know people who went to the best docs, and still had major complications from mesh. My doc was the chief of Urology and trained other docs on these procedures. I had two friends who went to him before me, for the same procedure. As of now, they are both doing well. I pray their luck continues. But, that’s how I feel – like it’s a roll of the dice, and a big risk not worth taking. While I’m sure doctor skill is a factor, I also believe the product (mesh) itself is the bigger factor. It’s polypropylene plastic. It is not inert – meaning it DOES change once in the body. It hardens, shrinks, twists, and breaks down – cutting/eroding into nearby tissues/organs/muscles/nerves, causes FBR, and a myriad of other known problems, and suspected problems. I just don’t see how the doctor implanting it will change any of that.
And, 1 in 30 women will need repeat surgery? That’s bad enough, but I think it’s much higher. There are definitely some “holes in the data”. Many women do not have more surgery, because doctors tell them it won’t help… They are often just sent to chronic pain management, or on wild goose chases to a myriad of non-mesh doctors…. who want nothing to do with mesh and will not report/recognize/admit whatever they are treating is related to the mesh. All of these are not part of these stats.
To the reporter’s credit, they did say this in the article, kind of, when they said:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/09/09/us-health-incontinence-mesh-idUSKCN0R927F20150909
and
http://www.fiercemedicaldevices.com/story/jama-women-face-increased-risk-second-vaginal-mesh-surgery-10-years-after-i/2015-09-10
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I’m not sure where you are getting the info that a mesh sling can usually be removed. ??
Is there anyone in your practice that can remove the slings completely? If yes, I would love to hear more because that is what we need. That is one of my biggest issues with mesh. All these docs putting it in… but, none are able to take it out. ?? Most women with complications (including myself) are told it is “impossible” and/or “too dangerous” to remove their mesh slings… especially, any anchors or “arms” (like the TOT slings). That is what I was told by local experts, but was told the opposite when I went all the way to UCLA for consult (that I SHOULD get the arms removed). Most docs just can’t remove it, and therefore recommend partial removal. That is why doctors like Dr. Raz have women lining up from all over the world to see them… often waiting months, and traveling long distances. Most women have already had at least a couple partial removals, or adjustments, or releases – but, were only getting worse – (like WAY worse!) before they wind up going to Dr. Raz. Partial removals are the norm… and from what I’ve heard from countless others – don’t usually work. (See post, and video from Dr. Zipper on partial removals: https://meshmenot.wordpress.com/2016/01/24/are-partial-mesh-removals-the-answer-to-mesh-complications)
There are many women searching everywhere for help… even help for damages from simple mini slings for SUI (not just the prolapse mesh kits). It is all the same polypropylene material, and therefore hardens, and erodes/cuts – often the smallest slings seem to cut thru urethras, etc.- leading to infections… inflammation… permanent catheters, etc. It is horrifying and incredibly sad. They make the original problems of SUI and Prolapse look like nothing.
Look, I literally had two women contact me tonight while I was responding to you. Women I had never met… telling me how desperate they are for help… for relief… One telling me she is only in her 30’s, has 5 kids, but can not take care of them and is losing them, along with her husband, etc., because she can not work, can not hardly walk, can not do anything. ?! Women are giving up – some are suicidal. Very much like the woman I wrote about in this blog post: https://meshmenot.wordpress.com/2015/01/05/help/.
They hear about Dr. Raz or Dr. V doing full removals, after they have already been to a other doctors and had other surgeries and/or treatments that were ultimately not successful. Then, they hear of these few doctors that are removing all the mesh (or as close to that as possible), and they get hope… but, at the same time, not – because they often have no money or way to get to them.
I would like to have a good answer to give to them… but, I do not. I wish I could say I thought they were “rare”… but, I have heard this far too much in just the almost 4 years that I’ve been involved in this issues. How many women do not ever get heard? They don’t go online… or have facebook? The 100,000 + lawsuits are just lawsuits. There are far more reported complications…. and who knows how many un-reported and un-recognized complications from mesh? Many of the women in the support groups – they often make MY story sound like a walk in the park. At leas I was able to get to Dr. Raz, and I did this BEFORE having a partial removal so I did not have even more damage from the mesh, and it was able to be removed. So many are permanently damaged in the worst ways. It is truly so sad.
Even if you don’t believe me, I am glad you are reading here. I’m sure you DO care, and want the best for your patients. Like I said, I’m glad your practice is not using mesh for POP, at least. I do hope you will continue to search, and check out that public group also.
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For any doctors/medical professionals out there… There is an OPEN/PUBLIC group in Facebook (not mine) that is open to everyone. It has a lof of people dealing with mesh complications in it.. but, also allows family members, doctors, even lawyers to join if interested.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/meshproblems/
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I did know all this pain was going on and I bet my collegues do not either. Are you writng to your first doctor who ut the sling in to let them lnow what you are going through? If you do not tell them then they do not know. They need feedback to adjust their practice and the feedback has to come from their patients. I have removed mesh twice from patients I put it in. One time from the posterior repair kit called Avaulta because of infection. ( I do not use that anymore)It was 2 weeks after surgery and removed easily. One TOT sling removed due to pain again about 2 weeks after sugery came right out. My gut feeling is if problems then remove it quickly to avoid the scar tissue. I also have refused to put mesh in patients who at surgery have tight pubic angles or very thin tissue. One of those patients was furious with me as she still leaked a little after the stitch repair. She went to 3 other doctors left me mad and threatened to sue. It is hard to do this job because we can not help everyone nor please hardly anyone even being honest and careful we are threatened and sued. So currently mesh slings are part of the solutions offered but maybe a different mesh should be used. There are biodegradable meshes of Vicryl used next to bowel or bladder in the abdomen so maybe those should be investigated. What do you think?
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I did go back to my implanting doctor, right away actually. In fact, I called the night of the surgery saying something was not right – I was in pain and bleeding and my friends who had the same surgery said they were not like that. When I went in the next day, I was told to wait and that it would get better. When I presented at my follow up, saying it was not better… and I was then noticeably limping, and in pain – I was told that since i did not have vaginal pain, it could not be the mesh. Even though I pointed to what I now know is my Obturator, where I later realized is exactly where they inserted the mesh through – I was told it could not be connected, and I was sent to the first of what became several other specialists, who knew nothing of mesh, and did not want to know about mesh.
I am so glad to hear that you removed some mesh immediately after problems. I think that is probably the only time it is somewhat easily removed… the sooner, the better, before it starts to “mesh” with tissues, etc. I hear from many women, that they did not have any real problems until years later. That is hard, enough… but, for some, like me, who had problems right away – it is very frustrating that my doctor could have just removed it then, but, did not. From many women, I’ve heard that their implanting doc would not even admit/recognize the problems – for whatever reasons – let alone report, or remove it. I do not think women are just NOT telling their docs they are in pain, etc. I believe most people go back to the doc that put the mesh in initially. Sometimes, it is years later, though, and that is probably part of the problem. At that point, they can not remove it.
I do not know if doctors are not listening, or can’t listen. ? I talked to a lawyer who had a theory that most doctors are in denial and can’t admit/see how bad mesh is, because the truth – that mesh really is causing all this damage, would be to difficult for most doctors to take. ? I don’t know if I believe that… but, I don’t know what to believe either. How can this keep happening?
Again, I wish I could say I was the “only one” that seemed to have this happen – but, I am not. There have been so many that were told “it’s not the mesh”, or “you are the only one” (once the mesh was acknowledged) that it is somewhat ridiculous – and prompted posts like this, with posters made by another person who gathered actual comments many of us have heard form their doctors: https://meshmenot.wordpress.com/2015/01/05/top-10-myths-woman-are-told-today-about-pelvic-mesh
I am just starting to hear more about these biodegradable meshes. I am interested in knowing more… and think anything has to be better than polypropylene… but, truthfully, would like to see studies on them. Personally, I will not be putting anything in my body again that is not absolutely necessary. And, I write this, as I am gearing up for a hip replacement. Ugh. NOT something I want to be doing either… but, I get that surgery IS sometimes necessary. For me, it is a new hip, or a wheel chair.
At any rate – thank you for your input… and, for checking things out! Truly, I wish I heard from more doctors – even if they flat out disagree with me and think I’m crazy. I have tried respectfully asking questions and commenting on doctor videos/websites, and had my comments deleted. I truly feel like AUGs is doing everyone a great disservice, and the more I learn, the more frustrating and crazy it all is. I can’t help but feel that we are all being duped (doctors and patients) by the manufacturers, and that ultimately $$ is at the heart of this. T (https://meshmenot.wordpress.com/2014/04/16/augs-addressing-mesh-complications-and-helping-patients-or-just-defending-mesh/)
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I had a hysterectomy 3 years ago the dr. Left my cervix now I’m having prolapse and leaking a little. My friend told me 2 woman she’s friends with had this mesh put in by the same dr. One says she’s fine the other is having so many problems and in pain says the mesh has attached to her organs and there’s nothing they can do, after reading this I’m going to let her know about your site, in the mean time I don’t know what to do about my prolapse!
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Virginia –
Do you mean you have mesh? Or need to have surgery for POP? If you do not already have mesh, please find a doctor that will do the repairs WITHOUT mesh. They are not as common as doctors who DO use mesh (because they made it so the mesh was so damn easy to put in that EVERY doctor knows how to put it in, even those who did not use to treat these issues). The FDA warns that complications from mesh are NOT rare… AND that there’s NO evidence that repairs with mesh will last longer or work any better than repairs WITH mesh… They only have MORE risks involved, because the mesh itself can cause so many worse problems. Please see this article with links to the FDA warnings and more: https://meshmenot.wordpress.com/top-10-things-to-know-about-mesh-before-surgery-for-pop-sui/
Also see: https://meshmenot.wordpress.com/2013/06/21/do-surgical-repairs-using-mesh-last-longer-than-repairs-using-your-own-biological-tissue/
If you already have mesh, and are having problems, you really need to get to one of the few specialists that remove mesh regularly to get any real help.
Please check out this article – and the links at the end to more resources and support groups. https://meshmenot.wordpress.com/2015/05/06/finding-the-right-doctor-for-surgical-mesh-complications/
Hang in there… and I hope you get some real help soon. ❤
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Please go to a doctor and make sure he or she can perform repairs without mesh. Tell them because there are doctors who can do it. Mesh is the worst thing you can put in your body. It just happens to be easier for doctors. Some will argue that the new thinner mesh is great. Not so! Do not be fooled. If they are going to use mesh on you, run for the hills!!!!! Get another doctor!
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Can you please give me names of experienced surgeons that do not use mesh.urgently need. Surgery for a severe uterine prolapse .my bladder has dropped .is the mayo clinic a po ,
ssibiliy?thanks
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Dr. Kevin Peterson, Las Vegas.
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Heide –
There a few mentioned on this page… but, I realize that’s not many. Please check this other post, and the links a the end to lists in some of the support groups: https://meshmenot.wordpress.com/2015/05/06/finding-the-right-doctor-for-surgical-mesh-complications/
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I have been to many, but Dr. Abbas Shobeira i Falls Church, Va does not use mesh. He uses a skin graft from your own body. I had surgery in July to remove the last of my mesh and repair complications from it
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How about New Zealand?
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What about Texas particularly Asian Antonio
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Hello. I’m sorry I do not know of a doctor in Texas. You can try asking around in some of the larger support groups… like “Mesh Problems” (https://www.facebook.com/groups/meshproblems).
Don’t give up! It’s worth the effort to find a doctor that can do repairs the “old fashion way” withOUT mesh.
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Hi,DebCNY… I’m looking to find a doctor closer to where I live in Central Illinois who uses the same procedure that Dr. Raz does which is called (CRISP)…this for cystoceles….which uses interlocking protene sutures to help fix the problem.
I did call the UCLA contact telephone number there at their Urology Department, though was told they don’t give out names of any doctors…Also need to yet call the doctors listed in the beginning of this blog to see if they might use this procedure, as think closer than traveling to California…Though, am wondering about Chicago or some other MIdwest State that might now have a physician that does this type of surgery for a cystocele.
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http://vaginalmeshremovalsurgeon.com/dr-veronikis/
Hello Marilyn, Dr Veronikis is my doctor. I live in west Tennessee. Dr Veronikis is a four to five hour drive away from me in St Louis. I know that’s pretty close to the Illinois state line because we visited the Russell Stover shop in Fairview Heights during my first visit. From my personal visits, he did tell me that he does use mesh at times. He brought up (all on his own, without my asking) that he knows people are critical of him for doing so. I don’t believe he uses the kits right out of the box. He’s very much about vaginal and urethral repairs specific to the patient’s needs, whatever he truly believes she might need. Dr Veronikis removed my Monarc TOT sling, removed scarring on my urethra and reconstructed my vaginal walls. I hope this information somehow helps you. I wish you the best in your research and resolve for your situation.
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http://vaginalsurgeryandurogynecologyinstitute.com/conditions-and-procedures
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Does anyone know of a doctor that removes mesh in NYC or Long Island? The only one I could find after searching online was Dr. Blaivas (URO or Urology Pllc) but he doesn’t accept Medicare (really?). Dr. Blaivas has a beautiful, cushy office in NYC on the East side, uptown that looks like he caters only to the wealthiest. Why choose to specialize in something like mesh removal that is having such a tremendous impact on many women but then choose to only serve the wealthiest?. I’ve had 2 revision surgeries and have been suffering with pains and many other issues for over a year now. The doc that did my 2 revision surgeries took out eroded mesh but then also put more mesh in! At the time of these surgeries, this was not explained to me and I am so, so upset because why would a doctor put more mesh in when he knows I have problems with mesh eroding? And he is shown online as specializing in mesh removal but with one problem – he needs to tell his patients that while he’s removing the eroded mesh, he’s putting more of the same (not eroded, of course) mesh right back in, and you’ll keep having the same problems. Makes no sense to me. If anyone has suggestions, I’d appreciate it. Thank you!
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Dr. Kevin Peterson of Las Vegas specialises in non- mesh surgery for women and men and also mesh removal. Google search him and other non mesh surgeons.
Yours truly, Vincent
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Patricia – I’m so sorry you are dealing with this… and, I agree that it is infuriating when doctors put MORE mesh in, while taking out eroded and infected mesh. ??! What are they thinking?!? It seems to happen too often, though. I wrote about it here: https://meshmenot.wordpress.com/2016/04/17/when-doctors-lie-about-removing-mesh/
And, unfortunately, there are not a lot of doctors that can remove the mesh, and do non-mesh repairs. That is why many women wind up traveling (like I did when I went all the way to UCLA from NY). I do believe a few more docs are stepping up, but you really have to be very careful. Mesh removal is not easy – and an inexperienced doctor will most likely only remove a small portion and could even cause more problems.
Please see this post – and the links at the end of it to some other resources and lists: https://meshmenot.wordpress.com/2015/05/06/finding-the-right-doctor-for-surgical-mesh-complications/
Also, I have a small NY support group that you may one to join. There are a few women in there that are saying they’ve had good results with some lesser known docs on the east coast. It’s at: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MeshMeNotNY/
Please keep researching, and hang in there. ❤
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Thank you for this article and list of doctors. I have an appointment with a urologist but he still uses eurethral slings. I don’t want to have mesh removal surgery from a doctor that still uses mesh for sui. I am going to get an appointment instead with a doctor that will admit mesh is dangerous and is willing to remove it. You may have just saved my life.
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Hi Amy. It is hard to find doctors that do not use mesh. There are some who no longer use it (like Dr. Raz), or who never used it…. but, they are far and few between. Sometimes, women need to go to someone who has the skill and experience to do mesh removal, and non-mesh repairs, even if they still use it… but, it really frustrates me that even those doctors – who see first-hand all the suffering and difficulty – still use it. Try searching for doctors that are older, and been around the block… because many younger docs are ONLY trained how to do repairs with mesh. And, please do share any docs that you find that don’t use it. ❤
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I am 54 years old and still having major complications from a Boston scientific mesh implanted February 2009 and removed February 2011. I have had so many antibiotics I have had to go into ICU to be on them due to my allergic reactions. I have had 4 lithotripsy surgeries a basket and few stints for kidney stones now having stones a fifth time. I recently had a bladder biopsy and was told I probably have interstitial cystitis. I’m having a real hard time believing this is not caused by the mesh as well as the kidney stones. I need a medical doctor who has experience in cases that have been as difficult as mine.
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So sorry you are dealing with so much. I believe there are many in the support groups for mesh that report similar problems. =( Most doctors will not recognize or admit problems are related to mesh. That is why it’s so important to get to one of the few experts that deal with mesh complications regularly…. Please see this post and links at the end:
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I had “No Mesh” hernia surgery June 14 2017 at the Gipum Hospital in Seoul, Korea by Dr. Kang. He has developed a procedure that closes the hole and overlaps the tissues without tension or mesh. He has over 11,000 hernia cases so far with a failure rate under 0.2 percent. He has done patients up to 103 years old. 3 days after surgery, I was able to walk 3 miles touring the Kings Palace compound across town and the national museum with no pain or pain killers. The next day I walked over 4 miles. I just walked slowly and carefully. 6 days after surgery I was able to fly back through Tokyo to Los Angeles with just a minimal ache barely noticeable. 2 weeks later I was back to mowing the lawn. I was shepherded through all of the scheduling, preliminary tests, and surgery by the English speaking chaplain Stephen Kwon.
My case was a little complicated so none of the No Mesh doctors in the USA would accept me. I have a CRT-D pacemaker from Boston Scientific that provides constant pacing because I don’t have a natural heart beat. The Boston Scientific rep showed up at the hospital 30 minutes before surgery to turn off the sensors and put me into Electro Surgery mode. After surgery he reset the device using the telemetry computer to normal Tachy and DOO modes. He was the best technician I have met in 11 years with a CRT so I would do it again.
Dr. Kang also set the Electro Surgery system to Bipolar mode and used only 2 short bursts of 1 or 2 seconds to make the bloodless incision. Dr. Kang prefers to use only a local anesthetic at the surgery site so he can talk to his patients. At the beginning he asked me to cough so he could measure the limits of the hernia bulge. After he finished he had me cough again to make sure he got the whole area covered. Surgery takes 20-40 minutes. I had a direct inguinal hernia. He wants patients to walk away from the operating room and walk every hour to prevent blood clots. He uses a minimal invasive procedure for rapid recovery and minimal pain. They offered a pain shot after surgery, but I opted to go without painkillers so I could tell what movements in bed or sitting that would put strain on the repair and not do that. Avoiding coughing is my greatest focus.
Younger patients can be discharged 4 hours after surgery. I am 63 years old. I stayed overnight for observation in their hospital and Dr. Kang himself changed my dressing the next day to check for swelling or infection. I did not have any bruising at all. He uses surgical glue to rejoin the skin with a water proof sealer so there are no stitches to remove. I was surprised at how modern Seoul is. The medical care and level of technical competence of everyone I met was far above what you have in the USA. I have been a biomedical engineer designing medical equipment for hospitals and long term care for 27 years so I have been in many US facilities.
When I checked out, my total hospital bill for all the tests, surgery, overnight stay, etc was $2,786 USD at the current exchange rate. Overseas customers have to pay the full cost. Local Koreans only pay 10% copay. Korea has government paid full health care covered by income taxes of about 3.5%. Most doctors are on a fixed salary of $120 to $150K USD. The cost to fly to Seoul is about $500-900 roundtrip from Los Angeles depending on how far in advance you book a flight. Try China Eastern. We flew American Airlines. Booking.com had low cost hotels and apartments. Use the Airport high speed train or limousine buses. The city is covered in subway and bus routes.
Would I do it again? Absolutely. Dr. Kang is the best doctor I could find. He provided me a signed copy of his book on hernia surgery. He pioneered Colonoscopy in Korea 30 years ago. He ordered the latest Ultrasound equipment from Europe and the most recent low power CT Scanner from Siemens for diagnostics. The hospital is a 6 story specialty facility for processing patients quickly with every precaution. The nurse did not ask me if I was allergic to antibiotics. She actually did an allergy skin test 30 minutes before injecting the antibiotics into my IV.
Here is the contact information for those interested:
English Speaking Chaplain Contact: Stephen Kwon at stephen9kwon@daum.net
You can mention my name – Jack Wilkerson
Dr. Kang
http://www.gipumhospital.com
Gipum Hospital
122 Dogok-ro
Gangnam-gu
Seoul, Korea
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Hi, Jack Wilkerson,
It seems you had a very successful hernia repair without using mesh. And wondering if he treats both male & too female with this problem. Assuming he does, or he probably would give more information within his book that he gave to you, the different procedures that he performs…..Hoping I am, that I can find this particular book on the Internet. Also, being 66 and well, having some medical issues besides a serious prolapse was impressed with how good care they gave to you, even if it was out of pocket…itt was so reasonably priced for what you had done…And beyond anything you could find here in the US. Thanks for sharing.
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He does work on females. The best option is to contact Stephen, the English guide at the hospital. He has lunch with Dr. Kang every day so they can discuss foreign patient requests.
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Hi Jack,
My father passed away from mesh complications, from a hernia. (Had internal bleeding) Now I have one and will not use mesh. I’m stressed out about this. Going to Korea might be the way….. can we talk?
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If you can wait a few weeks to get a longer range airfare, it is possible to fly roundtrip to Seoul Korea for $500 roundtrip from Los Angeles on China Eastern. They connect through Shanghai. If you have a long enough layover, you can take the MagLev train downtown and do some sightseeing and shopping. Chinese Customs has a 24 hour free visa for passengers connecting through. We flew American Airlines for $980 roundtrip from LAS to Seoul through Tokyo. I had to go immediately since my situation had the complications of turning off the CRT-D sensors and Dr. Kang was the only doctor who would handle my case. All the USA doctors declined. I decided I need to take up Dr. Kangs offer immediately while I could.
There are guest houses in Seoul for $30-$60 per night. Airbnb and Booking.com have some very good rates including just a few blocks walking distance from the hospital. The subway and bus system is huge so a car rental is not necessary. There is even a Subway app for your phone that lists the time to travel several different routes between destinations. There are many historic parks and museums around town.
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Thank you for your reply, I just read farther down on another question about the Shouldice method and Desarda. What’s the difference? I have looked into the Shouldice hospital and have been in contact with them.
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Alesha – Have you looked into Dr. Petersen (http://www.noinsurancesurgery.com/about-us.htm)? He does no-mesh repairs, and mesh removal. THere are a few others in the states. You could try asking around in the Fighters and Survivors Group – https://www.facebook.com/groups/111893665491196/
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Just on his website. I need to call and ask some questions. I felt I really connected with the Shouldice Hospital and how they perform their surgeries. The doctor you went to does he operate for hernia surgeries as well?
Thank you for you replying.
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I am looking for a doctor to remove the mesh that is causing infections. I live in boston MA
does anyone know of any good doctors
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I had my Boston scientific mesh sling removed locally and it had fragmented so will never know if it’s all out. I have since done some research and there are two specialists who no longer use mesh due to the high rate of severe complications.
There is a physician in New York and I do not know his name just Google Mesh removal. There is also a specialist in California by the name of Dr. Roz is very difficult to get into his appointments are roughly a year out.
Good luck to you !
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My only range of experience is Dr. Kang in Seoul, Korea. He does remove mesh if it is outside the abdomen wall. The mesh is originally layered over the hernia opening under the skin. That is minor surgery. If the mesh was inserted into the hernia opening, roughly shoved into the abdomen, then you are facing serious surgery with full general anesthesia with a much longer recovery period. The abdomen facia wall must be opened up exposing the intestines with potential for infection. I don’t know of any doctors with that specialty. The few I have heard about are connected to the mesh providers as “fixers”. Those doctors require a signed release to avoid malpractice lawsuits. In one case, a man I read about was in surgery 5 hours. That may be extreme, but the mesh must be slowly pealed off the tissues and nerves where it has bonded.
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Jack Wilkerson would his technique possibly be the shouldice technique or possibly Desarda?
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The Shouldice technique requires much longer recovery. More like 2 to 4 weeks to go back to work. The Desarda is much different. I was engaged in touring museums and parks 3 days after surgery with Dr. Kang. Just walking slow and being careful swinging my legs into bed. We flew back 6 days later with no problems on the flight. We flew for at least 17 hours including connection. I was back working 8 days after surgery and mowing the lawn 10 days or so later. Bicycling daily at 23 days. Planting trees and gardening at 4 weeks. Dr. Kang recommends 4 weeks before any mountain climbing.
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Is there a doctor in Arlington Tx who does non mesh hefnia surgery?
Thank you. Sara
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Everyone looking – please check out this post as well – and the links at the end of it to more resources, groups, listings, etc:
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Seattle, WA Dr. William A Peters III
Pacific gynecology. Does not use mesh. Fantastic surgeon!
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I recommend Dr. Philippe Zimmern, UT Southwestern in Dallas, TX. An older doctor, he trained with Dr. Raz “back in the day”. He runs a urogynecological teaching program here in Dallas, has written text books on pelvic floor reconstruction using woman’s own tissue, and told me “I have spent my entire career fixing problems caused by mesh”. I’m currently working with him on removing my TVT MU sling. (First step was to redo my cystocele repair. I am eight weeks out now from that surgery.)
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