Kugel Mesh Patch: "Painful, Painful, Painful"

Phoenix, AZIsaac S. had a hernia repair 2003, during which Kugel Mesh was used. Since that time, he has had two more surgeries to repair problems caused by the mesh. He says he does not want anyone else to go through what he has been through.

Isaac's first surgery, using Kugel Mesh, was done in 2003. However, Isaac says that his hernia kept popping out further and further and he developed back pain. He went back to the surgeon, who told him that the mesh "didn't catch" and he would have to have a second surgery to fix the problem.

In 2004, Isaac underwent a second surgery, this one to repair problems from the first surgery and to repair the hernia, which was still popping out. During this surgery, a patch [Isaac is not sure if this was a Kugel product] was used to repair the hernia. Unfortunately, Isaac began having severe back and abdominal pain again. He told his doctor about the pain he was experiencing, but the doctor simply told him that he should be all right and there was no problem.

Isaac listened to his doctor until the problem became too painful to ignore. On May 21, 2008, he had his third surgery related to his hernia.

"The doctor for the third surgery [a different surgeon from the one who performed the first two surgeries] said that the mesh from the first surgery was still inside me. The mesh broke into my little bowel [small intestine] and wrapped around it. The doctor had to cut my bowel away from the patch. He told me that both the mesh and the patch that were used in my surgeries had been recalled.

"I was in the hospital for approximately six days after that surgery because it was so tough. It was a really bad experience.

"From 2004 to now, it was painful, painful, painful. The doctor [from the third surgery] said if I hadn't gone in when I did, it would have been a lot worse. Even today, it's better, but I won't be the same. The doctor said there was a chance the hernia could pop out again and he couldn't put a guarantee on anything being completely fixed. I asked the doctor about the pain and he said I would have pain for the rest of my life now. I was never like that prior to these surgeries.

"I am frustrated because someone should have contacted me about the mesh being recalled. I heard nothing from the doctor or the makers of the product. The only reason I know about the recall is because the surgeon for the third surgery told me about it. I used up all my sick days for these surgeries and I'm angry about recalled products being left in me. Why would he leave in a product that does not work properly? I am angry about this.

"If you go through a surgery, you should find out what products they are using and if any of them have been recalled before you have the surgery. Don't wait until a problem turns into a bigger issue. I went through a lot and I'm still going through a lot of pain today. I probably will for the rest of my life—and I'm 48. I'm afraid to do hard lifting because I'm worried about the hernia popping again. My style of life is changing because I don't ever want to go through this again."

If you or someone you love has been harmed by the Kugel Mesh Patch, contact a lawyer to discuss your legal issues.