A MUM has blamed a surgical implant at the centre of a health scandal for turning her life upside down.

Since undergoing an operation which saw her fitted with a surgical mesh, Lisa Aherne has lost her job, nearly lost her home and has been left living in constant pain.

The former care assistant from Horwich underwent a hysterectomy on July 16, 2014 – her 44th birthday – at Beaumont Hospital during which time she was also fitted with the mesh in her pelvic region after doctors found a small prolapse.

Immediately after the procedure she noticed something was wrong and suffered 'horrendous pain' but was told it was part of the recovery process.

Two years down the line the 47-year-old is unable to walk, sit or eat without suffering pain down her right-hand side.

She said: "I can feel it pulling on the right-hand side in my groin area. It feels like a fish hook inside of me pulling all the time while the pain down my leg into my foot comes and goes. I also get back pain.

"It feels like the organs are being pulled about in my stomach. I have no idea what damage it is doing. I can't go out to the shops or walk about everywhere. It's not a nice feeling at all.

"When eating food I can't sit straight up, I have to lean to one side, which means I don't go to restaurants any more because of the discomfort.

"This has absolutely changed my life, there have been tears.

"It's horrible, it feels like your life has been taken away from you. You go from enjoying your job and a happy life to feeling totally lost with no answer.

"People like me, we are only the tip of the iceberg. This had affected both men and women."

According to the NHS, synthetic meshes are used to support the vaginal wall and/or internal organs for surgery to a pelvic organ prolapse.

About 1,500 operations are carried out in the UK each year but the Medicines & Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has received reports of complications associated with vaginal meshes – these include persistent pain, sexual problems, mesh exposure through vaginal tissues and occasionally injury to nearby organs, such as the bladder or bowel.

International concern has been mounting over the severe complications and on Wednesday the Government rejected a call for an inquiry and ban on the implants following a debate by MPs in the House of Commons.

In Mrs Aherne's case, she was told by the medical team that they would repair the prolapse but says there was no warning that it would involve using the mesh or what side effects it could cause.

It was only after reading the medical notes that the mum-of-two discovered she had been fitted with a prolene — synthetic — implant which she blames for the complications.

She explains: "There was a consent form and I signed it, but I listened to my consultant and, I know you should read the small print, but you trust the consultant to do what's best and I had no inclination.

"I wish I could go back three years knowing what I know now, I would never have agreed to it.

"If someone said there was a risk of destroying the intimacy with your husband and the loss of your job I would have said forget it!"

The pain, and resulting problems with mobility in Mrs Aherne's right leg, forced her to leave work after 25 years and the drop in earnings nearly resulted in the loss of the family home.

She can no longer walk long distances without discomfort, often relying on walking aids or a scooter, and the problems have also put pressure in her marriage.

Over the last two years she was repeatedly sought the help of healthcare professionals, being passed from specialist to specialist, and even undergone a second operation at the Royal Bolton Hospital.

All she has ended up with is a diagnosis of depression, anxiety and chronic fatigue, which she argues against, and has vowed to continue the fight to have the mesh removed and is seeking legal advise.

She adds: "I walked in there a very fit lady, running miles a day, doing a physical job, never been overweight, I don't drink and I had quit smoking in 2011.

"I'm not depressed, I'm lost if anything and very frustrated. I kept saying it was something to do with the operation and they kept saying no it wasn't.

"There are questions that can never be answered. It's horrible, really horrible. I want a chance to at least try to get some of my life back."