Metal surgical clips ruined my life

[mirade]

I would like to hear from any lady who has suffered  similar cathostrophic problems following abdominal hysterectomy. My story can be found on the ovarian cancer community. Offending surgical clips.  Mirade.

[LMae333]

I am so sorry to hear of all your issues.   I think it depends on what the material is that the clips are made from.   Also environment, mold,  cleaning products, medications,  smoking, food we eat, genetics, air quality, and rural and city water contaminants and disinfecst my list goes on...play a major role in how we feel and how our bodies react.   Surgical steel is accepted by most bodies and no big deal,  but that is not to say others will have problems.  I have 5  steel clips in my body for 30ities years now and no problems.  I didn't even know it till yesterday.  Was never told by the doctor.   I am praying for you to be healed and in good health.  God bless

[LMae333]

I had a radical hysterectomy at 23 I am now 51 and I just found  out I  have 5 metal clips in my abdomen. I was never told by the doctor he put them in me.  But it is a common practice to use them to insure arteries don't explode inside.  Clips are used all the time,  but still it would of been nice to have had the choice clips or no clips.   I have had no  problems and rods clips plates screws are used to save and improve lives.  This is not to say some may have issues with one of these devices.   I look at this way.  If you can put a a stainless steel utensil or wear braces (I had braces for 3 years) and have no reaction then don't worry. Any device implanted can move but most stay put and if you had any kind of abominable surgery or tubal tying you most likely have a clip or two.  No big deal.   Its wise to know where they are located should you have any issue.  Be happy.  Live life and smile.

[ipurr2]

I had a hysterectomy/bso 11 years ago for stage 4 endometriosis and yes, it did change my life forever and not in a good way...I have had lots of problems since then but I just keep working at figuring out the why's and fixing them to the best of my ability...if you are dealing with depression or angry outburst your HRT needs adjustment...I use bio-identical hrt and if you aren't I strongly recommend you do! If your Dr is put off by you...find a new dr. and if the same thing happens...find another Dr. keep looking! I am now 8 surgeries in since my hysterectomy and it has been a hard journey...but I am still active and living my life...metal surgical clips are used all the time...they are used to stop bigger bleeding areas...every person who has had their gallbladder removed has them...and I would not be surprised if all of us with hysterectomies have a few in there too! They should not cause any problems...I am not saying they never do, but I have them as well as mesh implants without issue...so I think we'd be hard pressed to win anything with a lawyer...Please get your hormones balanced, have your thyroid checked, and do your best to live well despite the health issues! If they are truly unmanageable then it's definitely something to find a dr. and discuss it with them...get more then one opinion before doing anything invasive....My biggest regret was having my hysterectomy...but life goes on...I did sign the paperwork to move forward. If I had a do over...I would keep my girl parts (and the many other organs that have been taken thanks to endometriosis) I would have seen a true specialist of the disease so they would have preserved my organs but removed the disease...because the hysterectomy with ovaries removed did not cure the endometriosis...Yes, I have every reason in the world to give up...be angry....some days...I do...most days I force myself to keep moving forward. I am truly sorry to hear so many of you are struggling...Please find a dr. who will really help you figure things out!

[Dazzled1]

My big question to doctors using and routinely leaving metal clips are why ? When there are safer alternatives ? After learning this many years and 8 abdominal surgeries later and repeatedly told, that it couldn't possibly have been caused from inert surgi clips. I was never informed that they would be used and left, nor that these so called inert metal clips are made of stainless steel and other alloys or polyester resins of some sort or both. What could possibly be inert about that ? Upon complaining each time about horrific sticking pain, walking lopsided, etc.was always dismissed as anxiety or that female hormonal thing behind all our woes..Then out would come the script pad, that would get me, on my way. My problems began after another inert object, an IUD, that causes your body to abort the fetus, (a whole other story) was inserted at the young, uninformed age of 23, which was removed due to PID, which necessitated a hysterectomy ?, followed by my 1st. appendectomy ?, they said it was due to chronic adhesions and on it went, leading to a 2nd. appendectomy followed by collapsed bowels, that lead to an illeo resection- where I was stapled from stem to stern, with inert-LOL metal surgi clips. Along the way I have had heavy metal poisoning,twice that I know of- caused no doubt from eating grapes with pesticides and of course, had nothing at all- to do with a belly full of metal clips ! With all due respect, I ask all doctors to please, please remember your hippocratic oath, by at least informing your patients that you intend on leaving in foreign objects. There is no way of knowing what the risk percentage is, because so many are discouraged, by what they are told when it's mentioned. They are not being told that these clips might migrate to other areas or possibly perforate organs- allowing them, the choice to decide. In my case, knowing what I know now, I would not even risk one half of a percent, that it may cause a problem. It's like playing Russian roulette with your body and in no way worth any of the risks, that they do not need to take. And to any others challenged by this- please, please speak out and help to spare others !

[moha1215]

First I would like to say how sorry I am to hear how much you have been through. Second I want to say, thank you for your post. You are so right in asking doctors to inform people before leaving objects in their body. I wish doctors would learn that every body is different and just because the majority respond well, or even the same as others, does not mean ever single case would be the same or even in the majority. I had my gallbladder removed almost 10 years ago and was never informed that surgical clips would be left in. Foe two years after the surgery I had frequent pain on right and left side just under ribs which made no sense to me. I couldn't figure out why I would continue to have some pain after gallbladder was no longer in my body. I didn't know about the clips till last year and wouldn't you know they are exactly where my pain is. The pain isn't bad now and thankfully it occurs infrequently now. Most comments I have read that a doctor left seem to all downplay any pain from clips left in the body. I have been told I am just hypersensitive, if anything, and can maybe feel things a little more than most and should not worry about clips. And yet, they all still say the pain isn't from the clips. I am so very tired of doctors thinking, and saying, they know more about my body than I do because they went to college for 8 years to be a doctor.  So what, I have lived in this body and know a thing or two about it. I then inform them that I went to school for 6 years for my Masters in education degree and I think I know that their education wasn't as great as they think because they obviously didn't learn empathy, bedside manner,  or logic if they truly think they know more than their patient about the patient.

[Sfaxon]

I would love to know if you had your hysterectomy done in Chattanooga?  I had a partial hysterectomy done in Chattanooga in 2009.  I recently had my ovaries removed by a different Dr.  I was informed that I had hundreds of tiny surgical staples that were left inside of me from the 2009 surgery.  My new Dr said she had never seen anything like it before.  I have complained of severe pelvic pain since 2009.  I also developed an autoimmune issue.  I am now thinking it is caused from the staples inside me.  I have never been able to wear surgical steel ear rings because I am allergic to the metal.  I was not informed that the Dr was going to leave foreign objects in my body.  My new Dr informed me that no surgeon would remove the staples because it would be such a high risk surgery.  She said the staples run all the way from the bottom of both sides of my pelvis all the way under my gall bladder.

[Brandywinne]

I would get an attorney. Metal clamps dont sound right. I would get another doctor to help you out.

[LoloChat]

I just found out that I have 2 "metallic surgical clips in the left and right hemipelvis" Aug 30, 2011 I had a partial hysterectomy. I was in the emergency room 3 times after my surgery and have cystic mass on both sides of my abdomen. I gained over 40 pounds my blood pressure (which I had no issue) stays up now and isn't affected by med's. My adrenal gland is shot. I was never told that these clamps were left in my body. I only found out after asking for my records. I am having a 3rd procedure to drain fluid from my abdomen.
The procedure(partial hysterectomy)  was explained to me before my surgery. This part was left out. I would have never agreed to have metal clips left in my body.
Lora in Chattanooga, TN

[Niktentah]

I started crying when I read Julz926's comment for the simple fact I thought I was the only one going through this. I feel like my doctors look at me like a hypocondriac. I had a parital hysterectomy when I was 24 and then in 2009 at age 41 I had to have my ovaries removed due to large cysts that had attached themselves to my small bowel and colon. Everything Julz926 has said is what I have also been suffering from but also adding I can not leave my house anymore (except DR. appts) due to doubling over in pain with no notice. I have had blackouts among other severe symptoms. Yesterday I found out there were two surgical clips in my abdomin. I have no idea why they are there nobody ever told me I would have them. I am wondering if this could be the problem causing all these horrible side affects from the surgery?

[anamoly]

Oh my goodness, first let me start by saying I am so sorry to hear about this issue. why did you ladies have to have this procedure done, I was just asking because I am 27 and I have been bleeding so heavy and clotting every 1/2 hour for 2 months I have no insurance so i havent been to the doctor yet, but I am going this week, and want to know if I should worry about the doctor recommending this procedure.

[julz926]

I am 41 years old and had abdomial Hysterectomy when I was 37. I hate may life now .I am up every hour and 22 minutes all night long . I have no sex drive my joints hurt all the time gained 20 ponds and have an anxiety from the lack of hormones and I do take hormones but they don't help . As time goes on the systoms get worse . I would never tell anyone to have this done unless they had cancer and they were dying . Drs dont tell you what happens after you have this done and Mom is the same way she had one also its the most horrible thing you could ever do to a women

[moha1215]

Sorry your surgery was such a horrible experience and that you continued to have a hard time as time goes on. I had a complete hysterectomy at 31 years of age and wished it could have been done much sooner. For me it was the best thing ever. Had always had problems with the female reproductive system and after giving birth 6 times it only worsened. Had a difficult time finding a doctor to do the surgery at that age but obgyn that delivered last 2 babies agreed that the pain and related troubles were valid reasons to have the hysterectomy.  30 years later I have never regretted it.