Judy Ayers

After years of living with a protruding prolapse, Judy Ayers wanted answers. On the advice of Dr. Jon Rumohr, a urologist with Kelsey-Seybold Clinic, she made an appointment with board-certified urologist Dr. Benjamin Dillon, a specialist in female pelvic medicine.

Up until that appointment, Judy had lived with constantly planning her life around her medical condition and hiding her condition from loved ones. She suffered from chronic back pain, couldn’t exercise or walk and awoke six or seven times every night to use the restroom. Judy’s prolapse had become the “thing” that her life revolved around.

Light at the end of the tunnel

A prolapse occurs when the muscles and ligaments supporting a woman’s pelvic organs weaken – the pelvic organs can slip out of place.

Judy was nervous about the possibility of correcting her prolapse with mesh, since some of the mesh kits used to address prolapse were being recalled. Dr. Dillon assured her that there were other options and suggested that they work together to choose the procedure that best fit her individual needs. They decided the best technique would be a minimally invasive procedure where Dr. Dillon would suspend her bladder using natural tissue.

“I was pleasantly surprised by the first appointment,” Judy said. “Dr. Dillon put me at ease. I’ve suffered from this condition for 10 years, but after my appointment with Dr. Dillon I felt as if there were light at the end of the tunnel.

Dr. Dillon performed Judy’s procedure after Thanksgiving at St. Luke’s Hospital in the Texas Medical Center.

Feeling human again

“I was a little nervous about the procedure, but three days after surgery I felt like I hadn’t had anything done,” she explained. “I had a few restrictions that Dr. Dillon explained to me, but I felt so well that it was almost hard to remember to keep from doing those things!”

Today, months after the procedure, Judy feels well and is doing the things she loves, without feeling restricted.

“I just wanted to feel human again and Dr. Dillon helped me get that back. For any other woman out there who might be dealing with this very common condition – talk to your doctor and get it resolved. The embarrassment you feel shouldn’t be a barrier – and just know that you’re not alone.”

‘You can’t train caring’

Dr. Dillon’s highly specialized medical training in female pelvic medicine made options available to Judy that might not have been available had she seen a physician in another specialty.

“I would recommend Dr. Dillon to any woman seeking advice about prolapse. He is qualified and caring. And you can’t train caring,” Judy said.