A woman who has been left reliant on mobility aids following vaginal mesh surgery has warned of the physical and mental impact the procedure has had on her life.

Margie Maguire, 42, had mesh surgery to treat a uteral prolapse after the birth of her now seven-year-old daughter. In the months after her surgery she had two miscarriages and began experiencing severe pain attacks that affected her mobility.

While Margie has since had surgery to remove most of the mesh and the pain attacks have subsided, she remains reliant on a mobility scooter and home adaptations, such as a raised toilet seat, bath stool and stair lift. She cannot drive for longer than half an hour before needing rest.

Margie Maguire, at the kitchen table whose life was turned upside-down by vaginal mesh surgery
Margie Maguire, whose mesh surgery caused life-changing injuries that have left her in constant pain

“After my uteral prolapse, I was informed that I could have an operation to insert a sling that would lift my uterus,” she said. “I assumed it would act like a gauze. The phrase ‘mesh’ was never explained to me.”

“It took me months to recover from the operation. I started suffering severe pain attacks, causing me to have to go to hospital on three occasions. At one point, the pain was so bad that I asked my husband to knock me out. It affected my mobility – when I could walk around the hospital, it was by using a Zimmer frame. Mesh was still never discussed as a possibility for my pain.”

Online research led Margie to Sling the Mesh, a campaign raising awareness of the potential risks associated with vaginal and rectal mesh surgery.

She has since had surgery to remove most of the mesh and is now working with medical negligence experts, Thompsons Solicitors, to investigate a compensation claim.

“There are so many things I miss doing,” she said. “I used to run half marathons and go camping with my husband. I loved dancing and running around with my seven-year-old daughter, going to the gym, doing the gardening, and so much more.

“Mesh has taken all of this away from me.”

 

Thompsons Solicitors is currently representing hundreds of women like Margie, as well as men, who have experienced injuries as a result of vaginal, rectal and hernia mesh surgery. The firm is working to raise awareness of the potential dangers of mesh and call for the complete suspension of mesh implant surgery.

The true legacy of mesh is becoming more apparent by the day, which is why we are fighting not only for the rights of those who have already been affected, but to change the laws so that no one can be left in the kind of pain Margie has experienced.

Linda Millband National practice lead for clinical negligence

Linda Millband, lead lawyer for clinical negligence at Thompsons Solicitors, said: “We’re incredibly concerned by the number of women and men across the country who have had their lives ruined as a result of these procedures. What’s become clear is that many of these people were never made aware of the risks of mesh, let alone provided less invasive alternatives.

“The true legacy of mesh is becoming more apparent by the day, which is why we are fighting not only for the rights of those who have already been affected, but to change the laws so that no one can be left in the kind of pain Margie has experienced.”