Bedridden mum’s agony since going under the knife

Operation leaves woman in constant pain

A bedridden mum says she is living in constant pain after having controversial surgery that was once banned by the NHS.

Suzanne Baxter spends most of the time confined to her bed, relying on drugs including morphine and anti-depressants to get through each day, as well as a cocktail of antibiotics to ward off infection.

The 53-year-old, who lives in Willesborough, Ashford, had an operation more than 10 years ago to fit a vaginal mesh implant, which are used to treat complications after childbirth.

Her problems stem from the “fantastically quick” birth of her daughter Emily in 1991, which led to uterine (womb) prolapse and stress incontinence, eventually resulting in the mesh being fitted in 2007 at Benenden Hospital.

Suzanne’s husband and partner of 30 years, Michael, is now her carer, as her health spiralled downwards following additional surgery at William Harvey Hospital to “tighten” the mesh.

Now also fitted with a permanent catheter, Suzanne is mostly housebound.

“I feel like a prisoner in my own home, if I do go out in the car with Michael I have to lie down in the seat because of the pain,” she said.

Once the bubbly mum-of-one enjoyed an active social life with Michael as the pair took frequent trips to Folkestone where they enjoyed watching live comedy.

Suzanne says she shed several stone in weight as her health deteriorated and her hair fell out in clumps.

The mesh, described as being like “cheesewire” has protruded into her vagina walls causing agony,

She is one of hundreds of women to experience problems following the operation, who are part of a Sling the Mesh campaign, which aims to raise awareness of the potential “life-changing risks” of the surgery.

Suzanne has taken part in Sling the Mesh rallies in London to highlight the campaign and has spoken out to warn other women of the risks involved in the surgery,

The operation was banned by NHS England in 2018, before being re-allowed in April but only if carried out by highly-qualified surgeons at specialist centres.

Meanwhile a government inquiry is ongoing into the mesh scandal, with a report due in early 2020.

Suzanne Baxter is mostly confined to bed and exists on a cocktail of drugs

Michael and Suzanne have been together for 30 years