For years following a hysterectomy Linda Thipthorp suffered from such debilitating pain that she couldn’t walk or work for a long period of time.
Now, thanks to surgeon Ashwini Trehan that has all changed.
The consultant gynaecologist at the Spire Elland Hospital has pioneered a keyhole operation to renew the internal hysterectomy scar – which he believes is often the cause of women’s pain after hysterectomy.
Mr Trehan, from Gomersal, has helped around 50 women to date by re-cutting their old hysterectomy scars and re-stitching the area to offer relief from ongoing pain and discomfort.
Linda, 57, travelled 350 miles from her home in Truro, Cornwall, to visit Mr Trehan in Leeds after the constant pain eventually became too much.
“I was a complete mess but he has given me my life back,” she said.
Linda had suffered heavy and painful periods from the age of 11. She had two children when she was 19 and 24. Then, at the age of 39, she was diagnosed with a prolapsed womb and advised to have a hysterectomy.
During the operation, it was discovered she was also suffering from endometriosis – a condition where cells that usually line the inside of the womb grow outside the uterus and into the lining of the pelvis. Linda’s surgeon was only able to remove 50 per cent of the endometriosis at the time. After experiencing continuing problems, she underwent further surgery to remove her ovaries 18 months later. But her pains still continued.
“I just didn’t have the energy. I suffered from bloating, nausea, bowel and pelvic pains. The pain radiated down to my knees and caused backache too. I was an absolute mess since my hysterectomy. I couldn’t go anywhere and I felt so ill, it was that debilitating. I was always off work.”
Linda, a hospital theatre receptionist, did some research and discovered Mr Trehan. She underwent keyhole surgery to renew and re-stitch her old hysterectomy scar which had a cyst and fibrosis with chronic inflammation.
“Since the day after that operation, I have never had pain in my stomach again. I cried with relief when I realised the pain, bloating and sickness had gone.”
Mr Trehan developed the technique after seeing many women who continued to suffer chronic pelvic pain after hysterectomy.
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