I had a successful colposuspension in 2000 to treat bladder leaks, and it worked perfectly for 17 years. Colposuspension is the traditional surgical treatment for stress urinary incontinence and does not involve the use of mesh.

In 2017 after surgery for a bladder and bowel prolapse, I was advised to have a TVT mesh sling inserted as my bladder leaks had become a real problem.

I was told this was the best option for me in a very short consultation. I was told I would be given the booklet explaining the procedure. That was only given to me post surgery which was too late.

I saw the consultant within the first few weeks post surgery with a terrible pain in my left groin area.  He blamed previous surgeries that I’d had and that it was scar tissue.

He offered ne no help and was quite dismissive of my symptoms. I never made a full recovery from that surgery.

My life changed very quickly standing is the worse , constant pain, I had to give up work as a cleaner as I could not push the vacum cleaner.

I had to stop gardening, I can’t walk very far. I had to change to an automatic car as just pushing the clutch became painful.

I hardly sleep . I take strong painkillers which only take the edge off . In 2023 after a referral to UCLH mesh centre I had a partial removal of the mesh. It was twisted and very close to my Urethra. In a five hour operation they removed 7cm of mesh. It took a year to recover from the operation.

I continue to be in pain constantly I have urinary incontinence again. The arms of the mesh are still in stitu and after lengthy discussions with the surgeon I have been advised to leave them in place as more surgery carries the risk of more potential pain.

Living with mesh damage is overwhelming the pain, lack of sleep , no sex life , no job, constantly wet and limited activity have changed my life.

June Bick – mesh injured and a Kent Domestic Abuse Champion