Hernia Mesh Patch Recall - FDA Warns of Death and Serious Healt...

Look at this testimonial:

December 21, 2007

Brandy is a 34 year old woman who was suffering with severe chronic abdominal pain as a result of twelve surgeries. Some of these procedures were to repair hernias in which mesh was used. Other surgeries were to attempts to remove the mesh and alleviate the severe pain. At the time she contacted Dr. Petersen, Brandy had not been able to find relief.

“Yes I had twelve surgeries, prior to finding Dr. Petersen, but no one would fix the problem”. A surgeon would attempt to solve one problem and then tell me you’ll have to come back”.

In one instance she had been seen by a surgeon who was unable to find the cause of the pain because the tests and her medical records, in his words,“showed nothing”. According to Brandy,“He (the surgeon) told me if this were true about my intestines, I would probably wind up with a bag on my leg”.

I was at my wits end. I could not eat, sleep, or function normally. I was not able to work because I was dizzy and sick all the time.

Then I found Dr. Petersen on his website. His staff set up a phone interview and I finally made contact with someone who would listen to me, and understand the condition and the pain I was experiencing. Dr. Petersen said,“He regularly heard patients who had had hernia repairs using mesh describe this kind of problem.” I was so relieved. I felt I had finally found someone who could help me, I understood that I was not alone and I was not crazy.

The No Insurance Surgery staff was most professional. From the time of my first contact everyone was accommodating, considerate and made me feel comfortable.

Dr. Petersen is a friendly, kind person. I could tell at my first meeting that he knew what he was doing and cared about me. I have never had a doctor sit down and talk to me and listen. He made sure all my questions were answered. Dr. Petersen is a true life saver.

The surgical facilities were clean and the staff very friendly. It was obvious that they do these types of surgeries all the time. They made me comfortable and respected my concerns.

After the surgery to remove the mesh, I did experience some pain, but Dr. Petersen was very thorough. He gave me clear instructions, prescribed appropriate medication and told me to call him anytime.

I am healed, and I feel great. The pain is gone. I have my life back.

I would recommend Dr. Petersen to anyone who needs the services of a General Surgeon. I cannot say enough about how positive this experience has been. Thank you Dr. Petersen.

Brandy W.
Corpus Christi, TX

P.S. I cannot find a long term positive comment about Dr. Shirin Towfigh. There are some short term emails I have but if you have gone to here, please comment. Based on this testimonial, I may see Dr. Petersen in Las Vegas. I just contacted my insurance company and I may not have to pay much of anything except airfare, etc.

Cynthia wrote:

<quoted text>
I KNOW THIS IS AN OLD POST BUT IT BEARS REPEATING. I HAD SURGERY IN 2003 AND HAD SAME CRAPPY RESULTS.
I ASKED FOR DRS REPORT YEARS AGO AND RECEIVED THE SINGLE SURGEONS SUMMARY. AFTER PERSISTANCE, I FINALLY GOT TO THE RIGHT PEOPLE, AND JUST RECEIVED COPIES OF THE OR REPORT ALONG WITH OTHER INFORMATION. THE OR REPORT NOT THE SURGEONS REPORT CONTAINED THE VITAL INFORMATION REGARDING THE SPECIFIC KIND OF MESH IMPLANTED BARD MONOFILAMENT KNITTED POLYPROYLENE MESH 0112660 FLAT SHEET.
THIS IS A WHOLE NEW WORLD FOR ME TO GET THIS INFO!!! THE SHEETS ARE LARGE 10" X 14" BY THE SPECS I'VE FOUND ON THE NET. THE SURGEON PUT 3" X 5". THIS BEARS A LOT OF QUESTIONS. HOW IS THIS RESIZED. IS IT CUT? ARE THERE FRAYED EDGES? IS IS A LOOSE WOVEN MATERIAL WITH A FRAYED EDGEING MUCH LIKE A POLYPROPYLENE SCREEN FOR A WINDOW???
NO WONDER THIS HAS BEEN HURTING FOR 6 YEARS! IT'S PROBABLY GOUGING OUT MY INSIDES.

Cynthia , first look up under wikipedia,free encyclopedia, hernia polyproylene mesh. then search for your type of hernia mesh. hernia mesh and window screen mesh different types of mesh.

To Everyone,
I tried to talk with Dr. Peterson in Las Vegas. His Practice Manager emailed me and ask
me to call the clinic. I did and the Practice Manager told me that they did not want to take anyone out of state who had insurance or medicare.
I told him that if I had to I would just put it on
my credit card and he still would not take me because I'm on medicare. So they may not take anyone who has insurance or medicare. It may be best to ask them first before making a decision to have it done there. Also, they may take someone else regardless if they have insurance. Maybe the practice manager just didn't like the sound of my voice or something, who knows? It doesn't hurt to try anyhow. Thanks Sandra

Sandra Senatobia MS wrote:

To Everyone,
I tried to talk with Dr. Peterson in Las Vegas. His Practice Manager emailed me and ask
me to call the clinic. I did and the Practice Manager told me that they did not want to take anyone out of state who had insurance or medicare.
I told him that if I had to I would just put it on
my credit card and he still would not take me because I'm on medicare. So they may not take anyone who has insurance or medicare. It may be best to ask them first before making a decision to have it done there. Also, they may take someone else regardless if they have insurance. Maybe the practice manager just didn't like the sound of my voice or something, who knows? It doesn't hurt to try anyhow. Thanks Sandra

Sandra,Hi No I have feeling with all the problems with the mesh, the Fedral Law suite, FDA?CDC, SS SSD Insurance Companies calling the shots,the whole health insurance, all the Medicare/Medicaid Fraud, i feel everything is in a hold unless it's a matter of life or death. For nobody has answer to the problem. People cann't be fixed with the tension method, for in most cases recurrence, and now the same is happening with the mesh, something that wasn't suppose to happen, and no one wants to take blame for it. insurance companies don't cover people under this terms of recurrence or pre-existing.,for they don't make money off from you. How far are you from Colbert County Al????

DR PETERSEN,

TO Sandra Senatobia MS
Senatobia, MS

YOUR STATEMENT ABOVE THAT DR. PETERSEN DOES NOT TAKE PEOPLE WHO HAVE INSURANCE IS NOT TRUE. I HAVE BLUE CROSS AND THEY TAKE THAT. THERE MUST BE SOME OTHER PROBLEM. SOMETHING ELSE IS GOING ON. YOU SHOULD COMPLETE THE ONLINE FROM FROM HIS WEBSITE AND GET A RESPONSE FROM DR. PETERSEN HIMSELF.

I Had a Marlex mesh put in for abdominoplastia in Sep 2005, I was with feber, I had appedicitis, I had fistula and very bad infecction all this hapen las year 2008 I am a miracle living, the mesh was remuved Nancy
Any answer yupnan@aol.com

King peanit; if we are so wrong but you rather judge why don't You tell us why we are wrong??

To "Overwhelmed wife". Did you husband have an inguinal hernia operation?
Meshes really don't split down the middle as they are very strong. Can you please explain this or elaborate? Also, are you telling us the doctor put in a Parietex mesh for his fifth operation on May 6th?

DUNCAN wrote:

To "Overwhelmed wife". Did you husband have an inguinal hernia operation?
Meshes really don't split down the middle as they are very strong. Can you please explain this or elaborate? Also, are you telling us the doctor put in a Parietex mesh for his fifth operation on May 6th?

Wondering if this is a ventral hernia. Some surgeons split the mesh vertically down the middle so that securing it to the undersurface of the sides of the abdominal wall is easier. The mesh is then sutured closed in the middle. The mesh may have "split" if the thread of the suture broke.

What you say makes sense about "overwhelmed wife".

To Dave

Have you heard of a hernia mesh coated on one side with silicon to prevent adhesions in lap inguinal hernia repair?

For all of you seeking a hernia repair--hear this. Do not do it if you can live with it. Tou will suffer more w/ the repair especially if you get a mesh put in. Some repairs have been successful w/ disolvable stitches--but a mesh is a NIGHTMARE, believe me. Ive had 5 left hernia repairs also nerve surgery, & live in a hellish nightmare of pain w/ gross insomnia. My last surgery was 1998 & still suffer like a dog. Pain killers have multiple side effects & eventually lose their punch w/o adding more. So--its a ''tough row to ho' Any advice to help suffering?

Like many others on this site, I also had hernia repair for an inguinal hernia using the Kugel Mesh patch. I continued abdominal pain after surgery on my left side with continued swelling for 6 months. I looked like I was giving birth to a cantalope. An MRI did not show any defect but my doctor noticed one area of the mesh ring where it appeared to bulge out. That coincided with where my pain was. We both agreed to have the mesh removed as I had severe pain which stretched from my navel to my thigh. The mesh was removed with complications such as cutting my iliac vein in half and then finding a way to repair that as well and 2 blood transfusions. After that it was 10 months of continued abdominal pain and pain killers.
I left the NY area and moved to FL where the climate is more favorable to healing as I could walk year round and use a pool for PT. I also met with a neurologist who has started me on an anti-seizure medication (Neurontin) which works to calm all the nerve fibers that were cut during surgery. My abdominal muscles are now out of spasm and the nerves are quiet. I can now start to return to some sort of work. So, instead of all the cutting away, try some doctors that do not specialize in surgery. There are medications that can work and help you out. It takes lots of time and effort, but after 2 years I am back on track. I also used a wonderful chiropractor who helped along the way.

Good luck to those that still suffer.

DUNCAN wrote:

To Dave
Have you heard of a hernia mesh coated on one side with silicon to prevent adhesions in lap inguinal hernia repair?

Yes,
There is a product that is made from woven polypropylene with a version coated on the undersurface with silicon. This is not needed for lap inguinal hernia since the mesh is placed in between the abdominal wall and the peritoneum (this is the innermost layer surrounding the intestines). The silicon version is used main for ventral (incisional) hernias. I have forgotten the name of this product, but it is not cheap.

ken griffiths wrote:

For all of you seeking a hernia repair--hear this. Do not do it if you can live with it. Tou will suffer more w/ the repair especially if you get a mesh put in. Some repairs have been successful w/ disolvable stitches--but a mesh is a NIGHTMARE, believe me. Ive had 5 left hernia repairs also nerve surgery, & live in a hellish nightmare of pain w/ gross insomnia. My last surgery was 1998 & still suffer like a dog. Pain killers have multiple side effects & eventually lose their punch w/o adding more. So--its a ''tough row to ho' Any advice to help suffering?

I'm sorry to hear that you've had terrible complications from surgery, but not having surgery is worse advice. I would like to remind you that hernias are not repaired simply for pain. They are repaired to prevent bowel strangulation which can be lethal.

Kathy - Jensen Beach wrote:

Like many others on this site, I also had hernia repair for an inguinal hernia using the Kugel Mesh patch. I continued abdominal pain after surgery on my left side with continued swelling for 6 months. I looked like I was giving birth to a cantalope. An MRI did not show any defect but my doctor noticed one area of the mesh ring where it appeared to bulge out. That coincided with where my pain was. We both agreed to have the mesh removed as I had severe pain which stretched from my navel to my thigh. The mesh was removed with complications such as cutting my iliac vein in half and then finding a way to repair that as well and 2 blood transfusions. After that it was 10 months of continued abdominal pain and pain killers.
I left the NY area and moved to FL where the climate is more favorable to healing as I could walk year round and use a pool for PT. I also met with a neurologist who has started me on an anti-seizure medication (Neurontin) which works to calm all the nerve fibers that were cut during surgery. My abdominal muscles are now out of spasm and the nerves are quiet. I can now start to return to some sort of work. So, instead of all the cutting away, try some doctors that do not specialize in surgery. There are medications that can work and help you out. It takes lots of time and effort, but after 2 years I am back on track. I also used a wonderful chiropractor who helped along the way.
Good luck to those that still suffer.

You cannot "heal" a hernia with physical therapy or chiropractic therapy. I do not blame people who have had complications from surgery recommending everything but surgery, but the overwhelming majority of patients treated by a competent surgeon do very well.

DAVE: What is in your eye's a COMPETENT SURGEON??? How many years of hernia surgery should be under his belt??? I'm not trying to be a smart butt... My first V-Hernia with entrapment of the omentum, was suppose to have been done by as the county in Florida said by the best!!!!! Their was alot done that should not have been done.Starting with what he was going to do and was completly different from what was done while under his scalpel.

Dave: for some reason my complete comment isn't taking now going on 3rd time. My first surgeon was all this certified, with certification of degrees hanging on office wall's. which was impressive on the first visit, he had his General&Vascular Surgery/ Diplomate Of The American Board Of Surgery/ Fellow Of International College Of surgeons/Fellow Of American College Of Surgeons. I as not knowing anything about hernia's let him lead me on, as to steps he was going to do to repair henia. I met a mesh patch company rep. Gore-Tex. For the first thing he had say was this patch is tough teflon coated, used on jacket of spaceshuttle. Which didn't impress me. Why would I want an outside everyday product on the inside of me, My first comment was about Dupont teflon in law suit over poison in cookware. but that was all said and done. This was in 09/2003. So it was sat in patient consultation he was going to use mesh. But in Op report it wasn't so during the time under scalpel, he changed mine and went the Mayo Technique, with Ethibond sutures in an interrupted manner,,this method on top of past prior16 year old c-sectionals. With no answer's 6 years later as to why. I have e-mailed him, chat message sent online to him Sunday 0712/09. phone calls he will not respond. So now here with recurrence of V-Hernia labeled job risk, uninsurable, year now into an appeal for SSDisability, so now you tell me what left??? Oh there is more to this on just the first surgery. Worker Comp case never reported.. pay out to work Comp Lawyer from x-employer.. Unanswered ??????