Marcie Stewart

Marcie, at age 38, trusted her physician’s better knowledge and judgment regarding the implanting of both Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) mesh and a TVT or TVO bladder sling (mesh) for stress urinary incontinence.

Both Marcie and her husband were told that slings (mesh) were nearly complication-free and considered the “gold standard” of care. Soon after being implanted, noticeable side effects started manifesting such as hair falling out, headache, mind confusion, inability to sleep, bleeding, painful sex, and infections. Marcie’s doctor dismissed all of these side effects and sent her to a neurologist who actually turned out to be a psychiatrist who of course wanted to frame her as a crazy woman. In a search for answers, her husband dragged her from doctor to doctor; all of which claimed to have no idea what was ailing her. It was a frivolous waist of time. They were even told by one doctor that there was absolutely nothing wrong with Marcie. He told her to go home and be a wife to her husband.

Finally, nearly a year after being implanted, Marcie’s husband was transferred to another state for work. Surprisingly, the first doctor they saw in Texas found that the mesh was in fact infected and had eroded through her vaginal wall. They were informed that erosion is not a rare complication. They learned that mesh is meant to be a permanent implant; therefore, there are very few doctors who offer, or are skilled in, mesh removal. They were lucky to find Dr. Raz at UCLA who is known internationally for his success in removing whole meshes. Marcie had to wait nearly a year and finally, two years after being implanted, she was declared mesh free. Even after removal she is left disabled from both the damage the mesh caused while in her as well as the damage incurred while removing it.

Marcie is planning to start a mesh patient advocates group.