Hernia mesh recall could lead to future complications

Harvey Kirk

By Harvey Kirk
Posted May 17, 2007

ADD YOUR COMMENTS 66

The recent Composix Kugel hernia mesh recalls were issued as a result of a defective memory recoil ring which has been found to break in some cases.  As a result, small needles of plastic could slice through internal organs, intestines and the bowels, causing serious and potentially fatal injuries.  While the manufacturer indicates that the ring breakage is only caused by stresses associated with inserting the surgical patch, there is not sufficient information available to reach that conclusion.  It is possible the hernia mesh could lead to problems in the future even if there are no complications during surgery.

>>INFORMATION: Hernia mesh recall

The unique element of the Kugel hernia patch is a hard plastic memory recoil ring which allows the surgical mesh to be folded and put in place through a small incision.  The memory ring is designed to cause the mesh to spring open and lay flat once it is in place.  This results in a less invasive hernia repair surgery, and the patient is able to make a much quicker recovery. 

Over the past year there have been three separate recalls announced for different models of the Composix Kugel patch, manufactured by C.R. Bard, Inc., and their subsidiary, Davol, Inc.  To date, the recalls have involved certain large and extra large models of the patch.  However, there are other models which have a similar memory recoil ring and some question whether there will be additional hernia mesh recalls in the future.

The manufacturer failed to perform sufficient pre-market tests to evaluate the pressures which are placed on the plastic ring during insertion.  When the makers announced the recall, they indicated that the surgical stresses which are exerted on the plastic ring are accountable for the device failure.  There is no excuse for their failure to account for these stresses, especially since they are the ones who often train the physicians on how to insert the surgical mesh.  As a result, the makers face thousands of lawsuits from individuals who suffered serious complications after hernia repair surgery.

>>INFORMATION: Hernia mesh lawsuits

The manufacturers have also failed to conduct appropriate testing to determine the strength of the ring when placed under the normal stresses encountered over the life of the patient.  It is not well understood whether the plastics and forming techniques which lead to the weaknesses in the ring could also cause future failure or deterioration.  Therefore, some believe that it is possible that some of these devices will fail in the future, even if the ring did not break immediately during insertion.

HERNIA MESH RECALL LAWYERS

The lawyers at Saiontz & Kirk, P.A. represent individuals who have suffered complications after hernia surgery which are caused by the defective Kugel hernia repair mesh.  If you, a friend or family have experienced bowel perforation or intestinal problems after a hernia repair since 2002, request a free claim evaluation to determine if you may be eligible for a claim.

>>REQUEST A FREE HERNIA MESH CLAIM EVALUATION<<

66 Comments • Add Your Comments

  • Becky Gallagher says:

    Question: I had a double hernia repair on December 28, 2005. On October 13, 2006, I had a Nissen Fundoplication “Reversal”. When my surgeon opened me up, he found that the mesh used during my hernia repairs had “crumpled” into a ball and was “cutting” into my stomach, so he had to trim the mesh up. This was a different surgeon than the one who did the hernia repairs. So……how do I find out if the mesh used was part of the recall? Thank you.

    Posted on May 22, 2007 at 12:02 pm

  • linda gregorian says:

    i just had a hernia operation 5-24-07what do i look far/sintoms pleses keep me udated had 2 hernias repaird i was told its from a surgey i had in 6-14-06 is why i got the hernias ty linda is that normal?

    Posted on June 1, 2007 at 10:02 am

  • Angie Johnson says:

    My dad had hernia surgery in August 2004 and due to complications with the mesh they had put on his hernia they had to remove it in Agust 2005. After the surgery the surgeon told my mom that the mesh just crumbled up in his hand.
    My dad began to suffer from infections and intestinal problems during and up until he died from septic shock and infection through out his body. He passed
    away February 22, 2007. He never recovered from his hernia surgery. He just
    got worse and lost over 200 pounds in a year. How do we know if the mesh
    that was used was the same mesh and there any grounds for legal action now
    that he is gone

    Posted on June 3, 2007 at 2:34 pm

  • kimberly says:

    i had hernia surgery in dec. of 1998. i complained about the surgery many times to the doctor that did the surgery, and he kept saying it was not hs fault and he would not help me. I went to many other doctors, for 4 years, telling them i thought the mesh was the problem. Finally 2002 i had hernia repair repair surgery, and that docotor said the mesh had broke and my guts were popping out of it anfd tearing. they took the mesh out, and told me it never should of been used on me and that the other docotor put it in wrong. Even with the mesh out, i am still in pain everyday and have lost all my muscle tone and dropped down to 100 pounds. I have bowle problems, digestive problems and depression because of all this. I need to know if i can sue over this? Please help me!! I am still seeing the doctors and trying to figure out why i am habving all these problems, and i feel it is all from the first surgery i had in 1998. i can get all proof of going todoctors constantly after that surgery! sincerly, Kimberly Harrison

    Posted on June 7, 2007 at 5:33 am

  • Billie Jenkins says:

    I have a friend that had a double hernia operation one on each side of his lower stomach he did rather well and went to Va. on vacation, He came home and after a few months begin to have an irregular heart beat, this spring he had afiblation, and exhausted all other test and treatment. The Doctor said the only thing they could do then was a bypass and that did not stop it. and now the Doctor said he has two choices to take Amiodarone ( which has a lasting side effect for years & because they had put him on it in the hospital and a few days at home. he became so weak and disoriented that he had to be taken back to ER) Second choice they will have to destroy the nodule where they did the bypass and put in a pacemaker. After reading the side effects on the mesh I am thinking could this be his problem, maybe this mesh has broken & pushing on the main blood veins and cause his heart to race w/ a irregular beat He also has to have oxygen at that time.

    Posted on July 30, 2007 at 10:19 pm

  • debbie nunn says:

    in 2001 i had to have a herniea repaired plus they took the rest of my colon out and removed scare tissue from the liver. i spent 6 days in the hospital, then i was released. i told the nurse that something didn’t feel right cuz i still felt bad but they released me any ways. the told me in the beginning that it be approxiatly a 11 day stay. one or two nites after i was home i started hurting even worse than when i left the hospital. finally went into the hospital and i had a real bad staff infection. after running a fever of 105 for 1 week they finally decided i had to have the surgery redone and this time they would not stitch me back together. they left the huge incision open and pacted it for the healing process. i have a huge scare and it has never been right since. thank u and i would appreciate any info that u have. debbie nunn

    Posted on July 31, 2007 at 12:47 pm

  • Mark Smelcer says:

    I had a hernia operation approximately 3 years ago, but the hernia was in my belly button, and a mesh was used to repair the hernia. Quite often, I feel the mesh poking in my stomach, and my belly button has been solid ever since the operation, and the edge of the mesh can sometimes be felt on the outside of my stomach. I need to find out if the same mesh is being used for this type of hernia operation.

    Mark Smelcer

    Posted on August 11, 2007 at 1:24 am

  • Kay Rick says:

    Is this type of mesh used for other purposes than hernia repairs? Just wondering because I had to have mesh inserted for vaginal and bladder repairs..

    thanks

    Posted on October 1, 2007 at 11:04 am

  • sherry says:

    i have to have hernia surgery I have a double hernia in pevic area and adomaen and they want to put a ptch in but open me all the way what should I do I am scared afteer reading all of this I have to have done October 24th in abut 5 days and i was opened in april becuse they found that the hernia patch theyhad in me balled up in 05 this pril and i was filled with echoli please get back with me sherry

    Posted on October 17, 2007 at 8:55 pm

  • Marsha says:

    I had bladder repair surgery in Aug.of 06. I had a problem from the very start from the mesh material growing through the vaginal walls. I had to go back in around 9 weeks after my surgery to have that repaired. Just recently I started having problems with what I thought was polyps or hemorroids. After having a colonoscopy, it showed that I had a chronic fissure.(a tear) My question is, Do you think that maybe this came as a result of the mesh material causing this. I have already went to my gynecologist that done the bladder surgery this past summer for my regular check up and he is the one who recommended the colonoscopy. I still have some problems with my bladder as far as having control with holding my urine. Also, the tear that I had was alot bigger than normal is what the surgeon said. And I may have to have another surgery if this does not heal properly. Thanks for any feedback you may can give me.

    Posted on October 25, 2007 at 5:27 pm

  • Austin Kirk says:

    Marsha,

    Thank you for your comments. The Kugel patches which are the subject of this post are used for hernia repair. However, if you wish to review your situation further, please request a private consultation by clicking here. We would be happy to review this matter with and review any concerns you may have.

    Posted on October 25, 2007 at 9:41 pm

  • Sheldon says:

    How were you after your fundoplication reversal? Did your LES go back to normal, or was it tighter or looser? Did your stomach nausea/ fullness go back to normal? Did your stomach emtying speed up? Anyone?

    Posted on November 19, 2007 at 1:37 am

  • Janet says:

    Hello,

    I am a 60 year old female. I had 2 large hernia repairs in my right groin area and am still in a lot of pain after 5 months. I just need to know if this is normal. I am thinking of going to my gastroenterologist for the upper and lower colonopscopy. I take Paxil, Xanax, Hydrocodone still for anixety and depression and the hydrocodone for pain when I need it. I hurt all the time and am afraid the the mesh is not in right. How long should I wait to see a doctor. The doctor who did my hernia repair was ugly when I went back in two weeks and told him I was numb and hurting also. It has been like I said 5 months and I don’t wish to see him again due to his attitude. He didn’t seem me questioning him and told me to have my primary care refer me to a gastro. I already have one. I am scared to death as I have heard of terrible things happening with the stranglation of intestines. Please advise if you can where I should go. I am not thinking of suing anyone, but I need this pain to go away. Lots of nausea. I still take Prilosec for heartburn. I just don’t know who to turn to. I just want relief from this pain. That is all.
    Thank you.
    Janet Mingee

    Posted on December 18, 2007 at 7:58 pm

  • Austin Kirk says:

    Janet,
    If you have concerns about your hernia repair you should definitely seek a medical consultation. If you do not want to see the same doctor you originally saw, you should seek a new doctor, but do not avoid seeking medical treatment due to the problems with your hernia repair due to the attitude of the doctor.

    Good luck.

    Posted on December 19, 2007 at 11:19 am

  • mary aquilina says:

    I have had emergency incisional hernia surgury in Dec. 2005. I have suffered with constant infection and a lot of pain. I have lost weight and am close to the correct BMI. The more weight I lose the more my stomach sags which uncoforable and hurts most of the time. I have a nurse that comes in somtimes everyday or 3 times a week to clean my wounds and try to clear up infection. The wounds are large and the skin is quite thin. It has been 2 years and no end in sight for recovery. I have asked my sergon for the type of mesh that was used. It is also poking me I can feel the loose edges. Any information would be helpful.

    Posted on January 16, 2008 at 2:33 pm

  • Brian says:

    I had an inguinal hernia operation in spring of 2005. I have always had strange sensations around the site of the surgery, but thought nothing of it until about 5 or 6 months ago I could feel the surgery coming undone. I now have a full blown hernia at the same site that causes a lot of discomfort. I know that a Bard patch was used but I’m not sure what type. Could this be related to the recall?

    Posted on April 17, 2008 at 2:06 pm

  • Christy says:

    My dad had hernia surgery in May of 2006 he did not have the laser surgery done they cut him almost from hip to hip,they used two large patches that are on the recall list and two plugs that we are not sure about. He constantly runs a fever and has urineation problems and bowel problems. None of the doctors that originally did this to him will help him. He is a lot of pain and has lost a lot of weight at 5’8 he weighs 100 pounds. The doctors keep insisting he is fine. You can feel the mesh in his stomach and a bunch of knot feelings. We don’t know what to do now we think that he needs it taken out but, the surgen that put it in says he can’t take it back out.

    Posted on August 24, 2008 at 10:23 pm

  • Nidia says:

    I had double hernia opeation on 8-22-08. It is 10-3-08 and i am in pain.
    I called my surgeon and he informs me that iI have a mesh 8 1/2 x 12 and lots of stiches that the healing will take time. I am sitting here typing this in pain and very uncomfortable. i can’t bent to pick-up anything and I feel very badly. I know my body, I know something is wrong. I will reach out to him tomorrow or I will go to the emergency room for ANSWERS of what’s going on. I was told I would feel better as days went by not WORSE. In pain!

    Posted on October 3, 2008 at 11:30 pm

  • rldtexas says:

    My husband had hernia surgery in November 2008. How do we find out if the mesh used is recalled?

    Posted on January 8, 2009 at 3:09 pm

  • Cindy says:

    I hope this helps…I had an open ventral hernia repair October 2005. Before surgery my doctor told me he was using a new type of mesh with cutting edge technology. It would be used to plug the hernia and would have a “spring-like” action, to open and lay flat over the muscle to reinforce it. When the surgery was over my doctor didn’t realize how bad I had herniated until he opened me up. He said my stomach looked like a block of “swiss cheese ” and had to plug many holes and reinforce my stomach with a 7×9 piece of oval mesh. Immediately I found my body rejecting it. Within a week after my operation I had fluid retention around the incision site, (that had to be aspirated during a folllow-up visit) only to come back one week later. Fast foward to February 2009…MAJOR COMPLICATIONS!!! Here are a few symptoms that I am experiencing and that everyone needs to do their research on…MESHOMA, the harden and crumbling pieces of mesh.(feels like glass chards sticking thru your belly)! SEROMA, pockets of infected pus/fluid around the mesh. REFLEX SYMPATHETIC DYSTROPHY(RSD/CRPS) neuropathy pain causing numbness, tearing, and burning senesation(CHRONIC PAIN). NO symptoms should go ignored…look up words CHRONIC BOWEL/ENTERIC FISTULA, NEUROMA, NEURALGIAS, INGUINODYNIA, PERIOSTITIS, SYSTEMIC SEPSIS. Any of these symptoms can lead to constipation, bowel obstruction, nausea/vomiting, abcess/gangrene, weight/hair loss, chronic pain/joint pain throught lower body, and septic shock. TO FIND OUT WHAT TYPE OF MESH DO YOU HAVE? Sign a medical release and Get your ALL doctor/surgery reports sent directly to your HOUSE. Ask for OPERATING ROOM /OPERATIVE REPORTS with SPECIFIC and TECHNICAL REPORTS!!! This will tell you what TYPE OF MESH the surgeon USED and HOW in surgery. I hope my experience and information will help you, GOOD LUCK to everyone out there who is suffering like me!!!

    Posted on February 28, 2009 at 1:46 am

  • Tasha says:

    Hi I had my first hernia operation on 12/2000, the doctors used a mesh to repair my hernia. I was in constant pain for years. In 9/06 I had my gall bladder removed because the mesh had infected my gall bladder. I continuted to be in constant pain and 3/09 i had my other second hernia operation which they remove the mesh. This doctor did’t use a mesh to repair my hernia. The mesh also cut off the blood supply to my belly button. So far I don’t have any pain in that area.

    Posted on March 23, 2009 at 3:27 am

  • sarah says:

    I had double hernia surgery last year with mesh and three screws. I was 24 at the time. Now I am 25 and have had pain on and off for over a year. They say it might be the screws. I beg to differ hurts a lot like a sharp pain been doing this currently for a month.

    Posted on June 22, 2009 at 1:25 am

  • Meleia says:

    This past Thursday I had my fourth hernia surgery in 6 years. The time before this one in 2004 the surgeon told my husband that this mesh would never tear again. So five years later, here I go again.

    Posted on July 5, 2009 at 11:38 am

  • Rick says:

    I just found out about the recall’s on te hernia patches today(7/28/09). I just recently underwent a hernia surgery and had a mesh patch used. I am unsure what to do. I had my surgey on march 9,2009. To this day i still have pain and a hardend knot like area where surgery was performed. I also have problems with my bowels thinking it was because of my insides being disturbed during my spinal surgeries and hernia surgery. After reading about this recalls i am starting to think other wise because i went back to the doctor twice after my hernia surgery and both times he told me ;
    ‘ no to worry itis only scar tissue and every thing will get better in time.”

    Posted on July 29, 2009 at 4:03 am

  • Deb says:

    I had hernia surgery with the mesh sometime around 1997, do you know if this could be included in the recall? Also, if I’m on the floor laying on my back, when I lift myself up my stamach pushes up and it looks like a scoocer ball. I have pain at the top of my stomach if I push around it. Also, when I start cleaning my back will start pushing in and then my stomach starts pushes out causing my back to hurt a lot. I have also had two back surgeries, so not sure if this is my problem.
    Has anyone had this problem with their stomach after hernia surgery with the complete mesh?

    Posted on August 7, 2009 at 11:49 pm

  • Rose says:

    In 2003 I had a femoral hernia repair after a hysterectomy. I have been in the ER atleast 10x with pain in my LLQ and groin. Contracted a nosacomial infection during one stay ( c. diff ). My symptoms are worsening my left leg does not circulate fluid, and I have a distended abdomen. I am having GI problems, and a year ago auto-immune symptoms with worsening depression. The surgeon states he does not see aproblem but will open me up to check. I have seen numerous specialists to no avail I am going to the hospital in the morning, I will not leave till this is addressed. I will sue.

    Posted on September 17, 2009 at 12:46 am

  • Jackie says:

    I am getting ready to have my 4th sergury for the same hernia, the first was about 5or 6 years ago. it busted loose within a month. but wasn’t very big at that time. I was told in March I had to have my galbladder taken out so the doc. said he was going to fix the hernia as well cause the galbladder had to come out my belly button. well greatI thought 2 at one time. well I went to the doc, I guess 10 times in 6 weeks every week a new problem ,By week 10 June the 3rd. I was having emergency hernia sergury again . now in oct 25th, I rolled over in bed and felt it bust open and I feel real Bad thing I am Infected inside, will have ultrasound in the Morning to see what all is going on, then we will get to the next sergury. but what can be done at this point I am splitting open farther everyday,can this be fixed???????

    Posted on November 16, 2009 at 8:09 pm

  • carol says:

    My husband has had 3 hernia surgeries. One was sutured together, the other 2 had mesh inserts. The mesh inserts were placed one in the mid 90’s Dr.said he had used a new procedure mesh. Then my husband had another hernia in where the 1st mesh procedure failed. The 2nd hernia surgery was done in 2001, the surgeon at that time said that he put in a larger and heavier duty mesh in, and had to remove the other mesh. Our question is since it has been 18yrs since the 1st surgery, I know for a fact that the dr. did not keep the records beyond 3yrs, on the failed mesh. The second surgery was done at a hospital that I know that they keep records on microfilm. Should we go back to the hospital and have them pull up the records to see what mesh was taken out and what was put in? How else can we find out what mesh was used?

    Posted on December 4, 2009 at 10:55 pm

  • Ann says:

    Why didn’t the doctor let the patient know about the mesh recall?

    Posted on January 6, 2010 at 11:27 am

  • Janet says:

    Hi everyone,

    Well, I first wrote about my two groin hernia surgeries Dec. 2007. This is Jan. 21, 2010. I am having lots of flatulence, pain in abdomen and running to bathroom, but it isn’t diaherra where hernia surgery was done and the doctor said everything was okay way back then. I am absolutely petrified of having a surgeon redo my surgery. I know something is wrong. When I asked about the type of mesh, the surgeon said it wasn’t the recalled mesh back then. I am at my wits end. My husband doesn’t understand at all. I feel for each and everyone who has gone through the open surgery or otherwise. Mine was open and had I known then what I know now I would have dealt with the pain I was experiencing before the surgery. You would think there would be an expert surgeon who could help someone suffering like this. The pain I had for approx. two weeks after the surgery was absolutely horrible. Now I hurt a lot and it feels like a fist in my side. I keep praying for healing and I am under a lot of stress. Just had to vent because I know I can’t deal with the pain I went through last time only to come out worst or not come out at all or with other problems. Thanks for listening.

    Posted on January 21, 2010 at 9:45 pm

  • Malissa says:

    Hello! My mom had a hernia in 2004 due to a surgery from a car accident. Well the Dr. patched her up with a mesh. This last christmas (dec 09) she was complaining that everytime she bent over, she’d get sharp pains where the mesh was and get really dizzy. She went into the hospital and found out the mesh failed and was infected. Of course she had it removed and came home on Christmas Eve. She went back to the hospital New Years Eve because she couldn’t stop throwing up. Turns out her intestines opened up in her body and she was filled with bacteria!!! Of course surgery again. After that, she stayed in a rehab home for 6 weeks. She was home for the last 2 weeks and she just went back to the hospital the night b4 last for back pain, extremely low blood pressure, and reoccuring bladder infection. Now they’re saying they know she has an infection somewhere but can’t find it. I’m scared for her and was hoping to find some inspirational stories!!!

    Posted on March 4, 2010 at 7:02 pm

  • Barbie says:

    I had hernia surgery Nov.16th 2009 and I am having sharp pains as well. It’s almost like they are needles poking at my stomach. I can see the stiches when I am laying down and even while I am staning up.They kinda show through my skin. I am a skinny person (weight 100 lbs. and I am 29 and I am 5’0) but honestly I feel like I have more pains now then before my hernia surgery. I honestly wish I had researched it more before I jumped right into surgery. But at the time it seemed like the best thing to do.

    Posted on March 7, 2010 at 9:33 pm

  • Bill says:

    I had bellybutton hernia surgery two years ago. A mesh was used and since then I have not felt normal. I have been scoped from both ends, had catscan and have continuously told all the doctors something isn’t right. My lower belly has enlarged and I am uncomfortable and experiencing increased reflux. Acquaintances say it sounds like galbladder issues. Has anyone else experienced similar aftermaths?

    Posted on May 4, 2011 at 8:18 pm

  • Debra says:

    I had hernia repair with ventrio mesh on April 4,2011 . I threw up for three days after surgery and then on the third day I could not stand up right without severe pain and had to walk on my toes to releive the pain. Docs told me they thought it was a bleeding muscle but I told them I did not think so. They let me out of hospital on day five and I was still in severe pain.I saw the surgeon a week later and told him it did not feel right and he said it takes time. I had a CT scan on my abdoman by another doc to follow my dilated pancreatic duct and they saw a huge fluid collection inside the abdominal cavity around the bowels under the mesh. They informed my surgeon and he insists it is surgical fluid. He tried to tell me the fluid is in the tissues and I informed him that I had read the CT scan report and it states otherwise. He looked a little funny. I saw him a month ago and told him it felt infected and he said “Oh don`t mention the word infection, we don`t want to talk about that word”. I told him it hurts me and he said “I really think it is is surgical fluid but if it still bothers you in a month you can make an appointment and we can try to drain it”. He said he did not want to go sticking needles in me and I told him he could not stick needles in it to drain it because it is around the bowels and he could punture one. I am going back on May 24th. I now have a rock hard pointed place over the mesh and my whole belly hurts. I weigh 80 pounds and am 4 foot 11 inches tall. I am really skinny now and you can see my bones.My bladder and bowels feel agravated all the time. If he does not address my complaints I am going to get somebody else to look into it. I think it is infected because my muscles burn too over the mesh. Am fed up. Sorry for all you people who have mesh problems too. I like this doc though but am a little disapointed in him.

    Posted on May 15, 2011 at 4:17 am

  • heather says:

    I had bellybutton hernia surgery I don\’t know what kind of mesh was used but like the next day I would have sharp pains like needles stabbing me just above my bellybutton. Sense my surgery in Dec.2010 I have Sharp pains in my bellybutton every once in a while when I move a certain way. And I feel that something just isn\’t right. How do I find out if it is the mesh making me feel like this?

    Posted on August 6, 2011 at 5:58 am

  • Amy says:

    Heather, I also had same procedure of umbilical hernia done on June 2010 and I have the pointy edges that bother me all the time, I asked my Dr. After 1 month and he reply it might be the stitches which takes some time even 5 to 6 month, So I waited for 6 month and I am going to see my surgeon again. I feel like it’s the edges of mesh and not the stitches.

    Posted on December 27, 2011 at 12:15 am

  • Nancy says:

    In 2007 I was told I had to have a hiatial hernia repair.l was vomitting so severly that I was taken to ER on several occasionsi. I could not keep food or liquids down,I was loosing weight, felt bad all the time. I had the surgery and the doctor told my husband and I this was a new procedure and even showed us pictures that was taken durning surgery. He told us this would help my health concerns and I would start feeling much better..WellApril 2011 I went back to the same dr. for even worse problems with the hernia..he ran all sorts of test ..looked at me and said sorry but this was out of his hands now and would not treat me..sent me to another doctor who with all the testings sent by the other doctor the mesh he wrapped my hernia in had expoleded turned my stomach into shredded hamburger meat and it was dead,,May 2nd 2011 what was left of my stomach had to be cut away. I no longer have any part of a stomach.. what I have is a very small pouch (made from my small instine) To this day the doctor who did the first repair or any one in his office is not allowed to speak to me. I will never be the person I once was due to this.Since June of 2011 I have lost over 70 lbs. I feel I used for this surgery We were not told of this procedue until after it was over. Some one needs to be held responsible for this terribly thing that has happened to me and my family.. I still have problems with this pouch closing up..vomitting ..eating no more than 1/4 to 1/2 cup every 4 hous.in fact I just returned home again today for being ill..This is not the way I planned to spend my life in the ERs.

    stomach completly.I now have a pouch (made from small intestine) about the size of a ladies thumb

    Posted on January 27, 2012 at 9:09 pm

  • Dave says:

    Amy and HeatherI had the same procedure for Umbilical Hearnia done in Sept 2010. I have pointy edges sticking out through my belly button. I asked my family doctor and he told me it was probably the stitches and should go away in 6 mo. Well that time has passed and I still feel the edges poking out. My wife felt it and asked me if that was supposed to be like that. I told her no I did not think so. You can feel and see them whether I am standing or laying down.Hurts to touch. I am gonna make appt to see surgeon on Monday.

    Posted on February 5, 2012 at 4:06 am

  • Carolyn says:

    My husband had mesh put in to repair an incisional hernia in 1998. They said it was the largest mesh they ever used. He has since had pain on his left side when he moves in certain positions. Fast forward to 2012. He just spent four days in the hospital. He’s been having a lot of left side pain lately – back and forth to docs, with no help. When he went into the hospital last week he was severly anemic, 7.2! And he’s big -6’3″. They are sure that he was bleeding internally, but have not been able to find the bleed yet. Has anyone ever lost a good amount of blood like this due to the mesh?? I don’t know what kind of mesh they were using back in 1998. Does anyone know?? Thank you.

    Posted on March 8, 2012 at 11:31 am

  • shelly says:

    Can a Umbilical Hernia be repaired by not using anything/mesh/plug? Can it be repaired by identifying the hernia sac & dissecting it free from the surrounding tissues. Then just freeing the sac up from the edges of the anterior fascia and allowing it to re enter the abdomen? Then a closure of the fascia done with multiple interrupted buried #0 PDS sutures? I am asking this because that is what my medical records show from a Umbilical Hernia repair in 2003. As of 3 weeks ago am having extreme swelling in my whole abdomen. The strangest thing is I have a design like pattern beside the hernia site. Something is pressing from the inside of my abdomen and leaving a imprint of its design on the outside of my skin. It is a mesh like net pattern. When I told the Doctor that did this surgery from 2003 about this he said & sent me medical records that said he used no mesh or anything like it to repair me but there is clearly a design of something.

    Posted on March 18, 2012 at 5:44 pm

  • debra says:

    all meshes should be recalled…mine is supramesh in 2009…but if you research ER say many patients are in ER for infected mesh or mesh erosion…same thing..mesh can cause crps which I already had for 20 years .books are written on crps+hernia patch .everyone needs to write to the FDA..then attorneys will listen..they recalled the bladder an transvaginal meshes…now all the attorneys are willing to listen.FDA is really important..I would not wish this pain on Al kaida well maybe them. MY neighbor has a worse case and the girl across the street same thing..then my mom calls from Mi to tell me that she sat next to 2 people at healthorama and they are both having hernia mesh problems………thinking this may be biggest lawsuit ever if we live long enough for the recall..I have not contacted any attorneys since I live in a small resort community and the medical system is very protective of even incompetence of there own. having a history of RSD I should have never been considered for mesh since I was already screaming about pain under my pump which is 10″ away ..same level of hernia ..Colon doc says adhesive disease of small bowel, I look 6 months pregnant some days…no BMs an have not passed gas in @6 months ..my face and teeth are numb only thing my primary care doc gave me was blood pressure meds and dx of anxiety…….guess so I went through this in 1984 trying to get a DX for rsd which is now called crps so I guess the pain in my belly is crps.I am seeing my pain doc of 20 years in 2 weeks. He will be the one to read me small bowel studies which took 2 hours he could see rings but not the mesh..the mesh was inserted laparascopically ..so what kind of test will show the mesh?. The CT from ER in 2011 did not show any rings or mesh..it was looking to see if hernia had ruptured because that is what I told them..the report says I came in with stomach pain..discharched with cipro and bentyn….something for colitis…since they were looking for wrong thing and I had 80% insurance they did not look further and same hospital..they do not want to find erosion or migration ..that is very complicated surgery with so many can go wrong things..neighbor spent 9 hours in surgery ended up with blood clots in lungs is waiting for new pigs heart by-pass has ganggrene in both legs and has a but in her belly where they stitched her up and she is 54…so I am not too keen on surgery..she does not realize how all her problems stem from the mesh and next 2 hernia surgeries they did not use mesh on her…but she also was in hospice after all this crap

    Posted on April 27, 2012 at 6:55 pm

  • Christina says:

    I had open umbilical hernia repair back in may 2010 since then I’ve been to doctor after doctor to get no answers, o feel a burning needle like pain where the hernia was it comes and goes I have two kids I constantly have to push away cause the pain when they touch my stomach is unbearable.. The doctor says its sutures pulling loose and kept cutting me Open taking them out/replacing them the next doctor said it was nerve damage cause the ct scan showed nothing…. Can anyone help explain this and why I stay in so much pain.

    Posted on June 9, 2012 at 12:48 pm

  • Gidgett says:

    ive had bladder tack with the mesh iv had my bladder in a sling which has falland is almost out of my private part i had 3 fourth of my stomach removed ive had seven henrias removed i went from 280 lbs to 122 lbs in about six months i still cant keep nothing down i hurt 24 hours a day i live in Alabama and all they care about is money so what should i do

    Posted on July 10, 2012 at 10:29 pm

  • andria says:

    i had a double hernia repaired october 2010. the pain from surgery was something i never want to experience again. my dr. was not concerned though!i ended it up in the ER the next day not able to walk, eat, drink, or take any pain meds. i have always had some discomfort where the hernia was, but now it is really bad! it is to the point that when the pain comes i have to get myself to my bed because i can’t barely move it hurts so bad! has anyone had problems like this or similar?

    Posted on July 17, 2012 at 5:50 pm

  • Anita says:

    Share information you wish to be published on this page…
    I went to the doctor because of a nild case of incontinents. I was told it could be fixed and that he would use a NEW mesh, one with cutting edge technollgy and that I would have the bladder of a twenty-year old. Well, all I can say is that it has been more like a nightmare since June of 1997. I now have severe incontients, When I try to do any type of activity my left side becomes hard as a rock and the pain is severe all over my back,side and legs. I have to come to a complete stop of whatever I am doing, wait a sec. and then sit down.
    I feel the doctors just do not understand what this mesh has done to people like me and others. While working on the incontients problem a doctor said”You have a cyst on your left kidney I must operate.” Wrong/it was not cancer. He removed 1/3rd. of my kidney. The nighmare continued. That was Nov. 2000 and 4 months later I had the frist of what they called a hernia. On January 2003, I had the second hernia operation. The first they put in a 10 by 10 sheet of mesh and the second they put in a 6 by 6 sheet of mesh and wraped the 10/10 around the 6/6. To make a lone story short, I, to this day am still in severe pain and the doctors have found that I did not have a hernia problem. IT WAS MY LEFT KIDNEY coming out of my left rib cage.This all started with that crazy mesh and I do hope some one can help. I am so tired of being in so much pain.

    Posted on July 28, 2012 at 2:46 pm

  • Tammy says:

    I had a belly button hernia i cant remember the year i know it was way after 2002 and before 2012. I am guessing it was around 2010 but how can i find out what kind of mesh was used. I have alot of pain around my belly button when it is just barely pressed on Ty for you time..

    Posted on August 29, 2012 at 9:56 pm

  • annette says:

    I had a hernia repair mesh put in a little over a year ago. I keep feeling this pulling in my stomach. I am expericeing bladder infections. I had two with in the last four months. I am going back to the doctor to see if it can be removed..

    Posted on October 13, 2012 at 1:34 pm

  • Marie says:

    A family member must have their mesh removed and they are replacing it with mesh made from animals. They have had it 4 years and it has brought on Insulin dependent diabetes, an autoimmune condition severe weight loss, neuropathy and now being told they may only have years to live because the body is so weak. This was for a hernia problem. Are most doctors replacing the mesh?

    Posted on January 20, 2013 at 8:44 am

  • rob says:

    My wife had a mesh put in her stomacefor her hernia years ago and now she’s in pain so bad she vomits can’t breathe and no doctor can figure out what’s going on with her how do I find out if this is part of the recall

    Posted on August 8, 2013 at 3:56 pm

  • mike says:

    Lets start off by saying I had back surgery where they entered through my stomach and it was long before it ripped back open and had a hernia. So had to go and get it fixed and they put this mesh in to fix the hernia. I have had my hernia mesh removed on 02/21/2009 after only a couple months .It broke and shifted letting the hernia pop out of the top of the mesh.I went back to the doctor how put It in and was told because I was having kidney problems that he didn’t want to do anything until I got my kidney problem fixed. So I go back to kidney doctor and he tells me that my kidney needs to come out but he wanted me to get my hernia fixed before he would do this. Thank god for my pcp doctor he got me to see a couple of doctors in Pittsburgh pa and they put a team together and did everything in one surgery. They took out the mesh and took out my kidney all in one surgery. Now since I had to have mesh taken out I went from a 5 inch scare to a 8 inch scare and my body pays the price every day. Sick all the time and pain in stomach 24 seven. Let just say my luck stinks. Back surgery didn’t work and have even more pain and they tell me that the surgery they did is no longer done because the failure rate was so high and they have nothing to replace the thing they put in there. That i would just have to deal with the pain. Also during back surgery they nicked the tub that goes from my kidney to my blatter. That’s how my kidney died.

    Posted on September 13, 2013 at 3:34 pm

  • Shaun says:

    I believe I had the mess put in for a belly button hernia and looking to find out more about the recall.

    Posted on January 14, 2014 at 11:34 am

  • Joelle says:

    I had a hernia at my bellybutton 5 years ago right after my caesarian. It was the worst pain I’ve ever felt. Since then I lost over 100 lbs, I have to pee constantly, It hurts to sleep on a certain side AND after a back xray I had in a different state, different clinic, this doctor asked why I had over 20 c clips in my stomach, that he could see. Which I had NO idea I even had!

    Posted on March 7, 2014 at 5:07 am

  • Kerry says:

    I had a belly button hernia and had it repaired sept 2010. Iam not sure which mesh I received but I do know that it was c.r. Bard product. Since the repair I have always felt that something wasn’t quiet right. There is always discomfort in the belly and the feeling of sharp pinches when I make certain movements. As time has progressed the discomfort has became more pronounced and there seems to be a part of the ring sticking through my skin at the top part of my belly button. This is causing some infection and pain. Whatever is sticking out has caused a pimple like spot and is sore to the touch. The doctor said I’ll have to have it repaired again but would not go into much detail as he refered me to the specialist. Is there chance I may have a defective mesh patch.

    Posted on March 14, 2014 at 11:58 pm

  • Arlene says:

    I had belly button surgery for a hernia in 2009. With that surgery the doctor created 5 blood pockets. In 2010 my doctor discovered these blood pockets, Nothing was done until 2011 when I had reflux surgery by the doctor that did the belly button surgery. He was asked to please repair the blood pockets. His repair job was putting tubes in me to drain the blood. A reconstructive surgeon repaired the 5 blood pockets. Now I am experiencing bloating in my stomach along with pain and swelling in my growing area. What can I do now? As now I have no blood flow on my right side from the belly button surgery. This was told to me by my reconstructive surgeon. I live in Nebraska and they say I can’t do anything about it.

    Posted on June 3, 2014 at 6:53 pm

  • patricia says:

    I have a mesh due to having a kidney stone the hospitable could not get iv witch caused me so much pain I busted my belly I thought everything was ok after a year I was taking to the hospitable in so much pain they give me delota and morphine witch did not touch it after being in extream pain over 8 hrs the doctors came in told me my mesh was knotted up my blood presser got so high once they though they might lose me but they got it down then it droped so low I was in danger again .I ask the doctors what can we do they then told me they could not do anything because of mal practice and even if they could they still would not because they could mess up something and it was taking a chance on my life they told me to go back to my dr that put it in so I did he wanted his own exrays witch was fine with me after they came back it conformed what the other drs said the mash was knotted up . I ask what can we do he then told me he would not touch it because he was scared he would mess something up too so now I am in pain and don’t know were to turn I live in Missouri I might have to go to huston or st Louis I need your advice thank you so much god bless you have a nice day

    Posted on December 17, 2014 at 6:53 pm

  • Ali says:

    I had an abdominal hernia repair with mesh on may 31, 2011, and have had pain ever since. Was in hospital again 7 months later with related abdominal infection. Now I am consulting with another surgeon to take mesh out since an ultrasound shows it has crumpled and rolled up around some of my intestines. In pain every day now for almost 4 years.

    Posted on February 28, 2015 at 6:52 pm

  • Janet says:

    I was hoping for some encouraging stories here too…I’m the kind of person who can’t take too much detail when it comes to surgery…have had way too many in my 66 years on this earth…mostly from pelvic adhesions and endometriosis…caused all sorts of bowel problems…have lost numerous body parts through the years with all of these abdominal surgeries…now I am facing this…I know I need to go to the doctor, but I am really scared after reading these stories here…I have multiple hernias, I believe the doctor said 7…two I am having a lot of problems, when I bend or twist in certain positions,,,scary stuff…but I died last time in ICU after a bowel repair from removal of part of the bowel due to adhesions…so I was already pretty scared before I came here and read these stories…now, I am terrified…I have to just deal with it, I guess…lost hubby from cancer 20 years ago, so I am alone, so don’t guess it will matter as much as it did last time, if I make it or now…lol hope you can find some answers for your Mom, Malissa…I truly do…I guess we need to look for a more positive site…but then again, bowel problems are horrible…used to think the heart was the most important organ…NOT…the bowel can cause a whole lot more of them and most science hasn’t come far enough to do much with most of these problems. Take care and everyone else, I hope yall get your problems answered and your selves fixed up…living in pain is no good. God Bless all

    Posted on April 2, 2015 at 4:53 pm

  • shervawn says:

    I was shot 5 times in 2010 had so many surgeries in the 3 months I was in the hospital from all the surgeries I ended up with a hernia so in march of 2011 it was time to repair the hernia everything went well so I thought until a few days later all of a sudden I started bleeding through my stitches and staples. SO that mention another surgery for me,

    Posted on May 14, 2015 at 10:22 am

  • Tamara says:

    I had a abdominal hernia repair surgery in 2010 and have had pain and infections (staph and c-diff ) since the surgery. The pain is always located in the area of the surgery. In addition, I am now having bladder issues along with intentional blockage problems. I am scheduled to have CT Scans this week to see why I continue to have these repeated issues after 5 years. Could these issues have been from the hernia repair due to a botched appendix surgery. I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome which is a connective tissue disease that makes parts of my body weak especially muscles, ligaments, tendons, and intestinal material in my case.

    Posted on October 12, 2015 at 1:35 pm

  • Eric says:

    I have RSD/CRPS resulting from bilateral inguinal hernia repair with mesh ~ 7 years ago. The same surgeon performed a 2nd surgery on me to clean out scar tissue and remove my ilioinguinal nerves ~ 6 yrs. ago. He told me after the second surgery that it looked like he had performed the initial hernia repair about 5 or 6 days ago instead of the year it had been. He said he’d never seen anything like it (inflamed tissues, lack of healing) in his 35 years as a surgeon. I have been in pain management since shortly after 1st surgery. I have had a spinal cord stimulator implanted to help control the pain. I am on 4 medications (2 opioids). I have multi-area pain (still spreading – left testicle, groin, right hip, thoracic spine, low back and now moving into feet. I have had a ton of other procedures. I am on disability.My life is hell.

    Posted on March 15, 2016 at 11:26 am

  • william says:

    I am about to under go surgery for a hernia on my belly buten is kugel the mesh or way to fix.

    Posted on April 6, 2016 at 7:44 pm

  • Emily says:

    I had a hernia operation 2011 came back and it came back mesh went thru later it came back its very painful..

    Posted on May 23, 2016 at 3:39 am

  • Barbara says:

    I am going through the same thing. Always feel poking and feels like the mesh is rubbing on the inside of stomach

    Posted on July 29, 2017 at 4:37 pm

  • kirk says:

    I Would like to know why that anyone that has a serious condition and comes forth thinking the mesh is the problem, why isn’t the FDA, or the FEDERAL GOV. helping these people? Myself, I’ve been suffering for 3 1/2 years in pain, even had 2 seromas removed from my pelvis, I reported it to MAUDE, BARD/DAVOL even called me. So why the hell isn’t none of the feds. making these manufacturers fix the problem? I guess the FEDS. are paid off too, just like the fucking DOCTORS, and LAWYERS. I loved this country till all you IGNORANT, MONEY HUNGRY MOTHER FUCKERS ruined it. so sad. USA, UNJUST,STINGY,ASSHOLES. I am only 43 I have two boys that are out of control because I am unable to keep up with them do to pain. I am single, live in a rental having to sponge off my parents. this is pure bullshit at its best. I worked all my life. I drilled wells for 20 years, Now I can’t even get a job because I have chronic pain that at times will put me on the floor bawling. MY 14 year old seen me once before, my sister told me she saw him a little later hiding, crying and ask why, he responded (My DAD). when she told me that it killed me. I don’t want my boys seeing me like that. I am one tough SOB I will deal with this situation with or without lawyers or feds. I had BARD/DAVOL 3D MAX mesh LOT#HUVA1866 (at least that’s the numbers Hollis Law Firm gave me right before they dropped my case, set up?) put in Oct.31 2011 by DR. Christopher Olukoga which move out of PA to Winter Park Florida. I tried to contact him but no response guess he didn’t feel safe in northern states anymore. If I cant find a honest, good doctor to help me soon it will end up killing me. so they are getting away with murder! REVEIW THAT!

    Posted on October 2, 2017 at 9:25 am

  • Tammy says:

    I had an ambilical hernia after the birth of my second son in 2000 – 2001… the mesh used was large and completely destroyed my belly button. In 2005, I was pregnant with my third son and the mesh had moved across my stomach and was literally poking out of my skin. My doctor enduced labor more than 2 weeks Early due to the risk of the mesh and my baby was born with a
    pneumothorax (Air in his lungs or collapsed lung) and he spent two weeks in NICU.

    A few months after my son was born, I went to a plastic surgeon to remove the mesh and fix my ruined belly button and refused to go back to the hernia specialist to replace the mesh as I knew it was problematic and a faulty solution.

    Wondering if the mesh product used is covered under the lawsuit. I have records but no clue if I am covered from the damage that was caused by the mesh… most ads I see say it is from mesh from 2007 onward, which doesn’t make much sense since prior mesh product caused simllar issues for patients.

    I do understand that mesh was being used to repair bladder issues, which I almost did as well, but when I learned that mesh was going to be used opted out! I’ve seen documentaries on the damage these have caused and they literally grow into the colon and other organs and it is nearly impossible to remove. It has literally destroyed lives. One woman’s mesh adheared to her uterus and pierced her vaginal wall and literally cut her husband’s penis during intercourse. The threshold for testing medical devices through the FDA is insane and most products are grandfathered in through a law that was passed in 1976… so long as they are based on a prior product (even if that product has failed and is no longer on the market), they get approved. Only 2% of new medical devices actually go through the PMA testing, which is a broad case study including many patients… the test All piggyback through the loophole. This is a cautionary tale to anyone getting a device implanted into their bodies… we need the FDA to do a much better job and we need to do our own research before agreeing to have a foreign object placed inside our bodies!

    Posted on August 3, 2018 at 3:52 pm

Add Your Comments

  • Have Your Comments Reviewed by a Lawyer

    Provide contact information below and additional private comments if you want an attorney to contact you to review a potential case.

    The information below will not be published to this page.

  • NOTE: Providing information for review by an attorney does not form an attorney-client relationship.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.