What to Know if You've had Surgery with Mesh

If you have had surgery using mesh before, contact your surgeon and find out if mesh or biologic graft material was used.

• For my records, what was the exact name of the material that was placed in my body?
• Ask for a copy of the written operative note from your prior surgeon (or the hospital at which you had surgery). Keep a copy in your records. Give a copy it to your current surgeon for review.
• Tell all new doctors that you see about your surgery, especially gynecologists and urologists. Make sure they know you have had mesh placed.
• Let your doctor know about any problems that you had in the past regarding healing after mesh surgery.
• If you are not having any problems, you do not need to have the mesh removed. Just because it has been recalled does not mean that it is posing you any new danger.

Also, continue getting routine check-ups and pelvic exams as recommended.

Report any problems related to mesh to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Reporting program.

Call your surgeon if you experience one of these symptoms at any time after surgery. These could signal a complication of mesh surgery: Vaginal bleeding or foul-smelling discharge. Pain with sexual intercourse (for you or your partner). Sensation that the prolapse has come back or there is a vaginal bulge. Trouble urinating. Frequent infections, either in the bladder or vagina. Pelvic or groin pain. If you are not experiencing any of these symptoms or side effects, you do not need to have the mesh removed.