Crystal Mesh

This is a story about greed.

The story of vaginal mesh and genital mutilation has all the makings of a Hollywood blockbuster—billions of dollars, vulnerable women patients, Lamborghinis and ski trips dangled in front of doctors, and scandalous corporate emails. But it’s not a movie. It is real life, and real women are left suffering in the wake of capitalism gone wild.

“SHOW ME THE MONEY!” —opening slide in Johnson & Johnson PowerPoint presentation to sales reps on winning domination of the mesh market

“We [sales reps] had, like, scripts designed to highlight the financial benefits of mesh implants. Like, ‘See that Lamborghini in the parking lot? That could be YOUR Lamborghini, doctor.’” —former sales representative for Johnson & Johnson

“Extirpation of vaginal mesh is akin to taking a hammer and chisel and trying to remove the rebar from a sidewalk while leaving the cement otherwise intact. It is difficult, if not impossible, to remove all the mesh and do it safely.” —Dr. Tom Margolis

“My personal experience [involves] trying to teach full time with a piece of plastic hanging out of an open wound in my vagina for the last three months. I can assure you that it was not just an inconvenience or a trivial or superficial incident.” —Fiona, mesh survivor