My name is Carol and I’m from the Downriver area. I had Essure implanted after the birth of my son in 2003. Essure was very new. It had only been approved by the FDA the year before. My doctor asked if I would like to use this method because it was supposed to be just as effective as tubal ligation without the pain of surgery. Since it was so new he did the proceedure in my hospital’s surgical suite instead of in his office. I was put under general anesthesia as a precaution. If for any reason he thought the procedure was not going right he would do the standard tubal ligation instead. I was told the only time pregnancy occurred after implanting the devices is when the doctor did it wrong. I was never told it was made of nickel and therefore never tested. I was told to use other methods of birth control for six months after implanting the devices and then I should be good to go. I was not told to come in for ANY tests or scopes after to make sure the tubes were scarred over or not. I had some very mild cramping for a couple days after but nothing bad enough to even take a single pain killer. My doctor did have me come in afterwards (I don’t remember how long after) to see how I was feeling and said someone from a medical journal may call and ask me some questions if I didn’t mind, but that never happened. That was ten years ago and I have never had an issue from the implants. Not that I’m aware of. For which I am very greatful. However I don’t have reasons for all of my health issues. Thank you Ms. Brockovich for putting this out in the open. It gives me new questions to ask and may provide me with some options I didn’t have prior to hearing about this.