It Could Have Been Any Of Us

Written By Bek Lasky

Trigger Warning: This piece discusses distressing content.

I've been thinking a lot about the devastating news of the surgeon in Melbourne who performed unnecessary procedures on women, lying about their diagnoses and telling them they had severe endometriosis when they didn't. In some cases, he removed ovaries that didn't need to be removed at all. Now some of these women can't have children - opportunities stolen from them by someone they trusted. It's absolutely heartbreaking. 

As someone living with endometriosis, this hits close to home. It's terrifying to think that it could have been me. It could have been any of us.  

These women have had their lives turned upside down forever. These women likely finally had the courage to seek professional help, and they thought they found someone they trusted. It was too good to be true. This man manipulated them for their money and harmed their bodies. Some of what he did is irreversible and it genuinely makes me sick. 

This case really highlights the ongoing lack of education and information about endometriosis and women's health. Even now, awareness is limited - but back when he was performing these surgeries, there was next to no information available about the disease for these women and their families. It’s interesting to think that if we as a society were more informed, would these women been able to advocate for themselves better, do their own research where appropriate, or even just get better outcomes? Who knows.  

This is why education matters so much. Medical professionals need to be properly trained, to seek advice from colleagues, and to learn from each other. And we as a society need to continually be learning and having conversations with each other. 

All we can hope for is that this never happens again to anyone. I stand in solidarity and with love for all the women affected by this cruel man.  

Bek Lasky
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After Surgery: Trying Everything, Still Hurting