A mum says she plans to take Southmead Hospital to court for 'ruining' her life after she underwent a controversial mesh operation.
Dozens of women - some of whom have now been told they should have been offered alternative treatments to the surgery - were left disabled or in severe pain after the surgery.
Between 2007 and 2017, Anthony Dixon pioneered a type of pelvic floor surgery. He worked at two Bristol hospitals - Southmead and the Spire - and carried out the surgery on dozens of people.
One woman, Lucinda Methuen-Campbell, who had the operation at the Spire, committed suicide after having the treatment, telling her family the pain was too severe to live with.
This week, North Bristol Trust has admitted at least 57 people should have been offered alternative treatment rather than the intrusive operation.
Paula Goss was another of the many patients treated by Mr Dixon.
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However, during the hospital's far-reaching inquiry, Paula was identified as one of 73 patients who was given the surgery appropriately.
This is something the 49-year-old refutes. She claims Mr Dixon misdiagnosed her condition and then ploughed ahead with the operation when it was not the best option.
'He's ruined my life'
Since the treatment, Paula has had chronic pain so severe she can barely work, and has had to step back from her passion in life which was riding horses.
She says she she struggles to sleep for longer than a few hours each night, because she is woken up by pain.
She claims she now relies on her husband to be her carer, helping her to get dressed and cleaned.
"He's (Mr Dixon) ruined my life," said Paula. "He told me that I had a bladder and bowel prolapse, which I later found out was not correct.
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"He recommended this treatment to me, saying it was five-star, it would change my life. He said there were no risks.
"He was very good at selling it to me. I thought it would be the best thing to do."
In August 2018, an MRI scan revealed a large, benign tumour on Paula's right ovary, which was removed in January this year.
Between September and December last year, Paula has also been "in and out" of Southmead Hospital with pericarditis - inflammation of the sac surrounding the heart.
The self-employed taxi driver says she has constant pain in her lower back.
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She said: "You can't sit down for long periods of time - but you also can't walk very far.
"It's not just the physical pain, but the emotional pain too.
"The most shocking thing was receiving that letter this week, and reading that I'd had a surgery that I wasn't supposed to have.
"There are so many other patients that have been affected by this. It's a massive issue," Paula added.
Medical negligence specialists from Thompsons Solicitors are already representing more than 90 patients who received LVMR mesh surgery at Southmead and Frenchay hospitals in Bristol.
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North Bristol NHS Trust Medical Director Chris Burton said: “Our investigations have been thorough and involved a panel of experts including an independent surgeon.
“They concluded some patients experienced problems after surgery that was given appropriately, for recognised indications.
“All patients have been offered follow-up treatment where needed and we would urge anyone with concerns to contact us.”
Mr Dixon, who was suspended in 2017 following initial concerns, is still subject to an interim order.
