Premier Surgeon Discovers Source of Patient’s Mystery Pain
Tuesday, November 15th, 2022
Mandy Pollack of Knoxville lived with a searing pain in her abdomen for 23 years. “I was limited with strenuous activities because if I used my abs too much, the pain was unbearable and could last for days or weeks. My obliques would also cramp.”
The 41-year old suspected that a non-dissolvable suture used during a surgery when she was 18 years-old was causing the pain.
Dr. Schutter displays the 15-inch suture he removed from Mandy at Premier Surgery Center.
“I was in a car accident, where the seat belt lacerated my liver. I also had injuries to my gallbladder and lungs. The left side of my liver was removed, and they had a difficult time saving the right side. One of the surgeons told my mom he was 95% sure I wasn’t going to come out of the operating room alive. So, they sewed me back up,” explains Mandy.
After several surgeries to remove sutures, Mandy continued to search for a surgeon who was willing to do exploratory surgery to remove the remaining sutures she knew were still there.
“Since most sutures are not visible on CT scans and my CT scan is now negative, I could no longer find a surgeon to perform an exploratory procedure.”
Despite multiple surgeons telling Mandy that her issues likely stemmed from nerve pain, Mandy was hopeful when she found Dr. David Schutter while searching on Google. “He had lots of good reviews and I liked his videos,” she remembers.
Dr. Schutter is a General Surgeon with the Premier Surgical Associates. He performs same day procedures at the Premier Surgery Center in Knoxville. Surgery Centers are licensed, freestanding outpatient facilities specializing in surgeries that do not require hospital admission.
Mandy was relieved when Dr. Schutter met with her and agreed to give it a shot. During a procedure in May 2022 at the Premier Surgical Surgery Center, Dr. Schutter delicately combed through layers of thick scar tissue embedded in Mandy’s belly. After about 20 minutes, he finally spotted a black thread deep under the tissue.
“There it was! I pulled it out and the surgery staff and I were shocked to see how long it was,” exclaims Dr. Schutter. “I’m so glad we found it.”
The old polypropylene stitch measured 15-inches when unwound. Once it was removed from her body, Mandy’s abdominal pain diminished quickly. She is grateful to Dr. Schutter and the team at Premier Surgical Surgery Center.
“The fact that Dr. Schutter didn’t give up was a miracle,” says Mandy. “Everyone at the Surgery Center was upbeat and amazing. It was a wonderful experience!”
Mandy appreciated the fact that the procedure was affordable. Dr. Schutter says providing efficient, affordable care is one of the many benefits of the Premier Surgery Center.
The old suture in Mandy’s abdomen measured 15 inches long.
“It’s the same equipment, same surgeons, and same qualified staff, but the surgery costs less than at a hospital.” explains Dr. Schutter. “Patients also love that whole experience is quicker and more personal. People enjoy being able to park right outside the door of the Surgery Center.”
Mandy agrees. “It was much easier than a hospital. I’d definitely recommend Dr. Schutter and the Surgery Center for anything!”
For more information about the procedures performed at Premier Surgical Surgery Center in Knoxville, visit https://www.premiersurgicalsurgerycenter.com/.
