http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/09/08/arizona-mitral-valve-repair-jack-copeland/ Former Patient And Author, Adam Pick, Blogs About Heart Valve Replacement And Heart Valve Repair Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:18:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/09/08/arizona-mitral-valve-repair-jack-copeland/comment-page-1/#comment-14863 Steve Dubay Tue, 08 Sep 2009 22:37:35 +0000 http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/09/08/arizona-mitral-valve-repair-jack-copeland/#comment-14863 When I had a quadruple bypass in 1997, I was closed and sewn up with my ribs wired together and to my sternum. I spent a LOT of anxious moments (but no problems) with my ribs/sternum "interacting with each other" until everything knit back together, in about six weeks or so. I swear, I felt them rubbing against each other! Fast forward to March 2009, and my "pig" valve installation, during which time a shield was used to re-attach my ribs and sternum. NO COMPARISON! I have had NO anxiety about my ribs/sternum this time - no rubbing, popping, etc. Even though this means TWO foreign objects installed this time, I'm really happy now compared to 1997. I'd recommend the shield, for sure. When I had a quadruple bypass in 1997, I was closed and sewn up with my ribs wired together and to my sternum. I spent a LOT of anxious moments (but no problems) with my ribs/sternum “interacting with each other” until everything knit back together, in about six weeks or so. I swear, I felt them rubbing against each other! Fast forward to March 2009, and my “pig” valve installation, during which time a shield was used to re-attach my ribs and sternum. NO COMPARISON! I have had NO anxiety about my ribs/sternum this time – no rubbing, popping, etc. Even though this means TWO foreign objects installed this time, I’m really happy now compared to 1997. I’d recommend the shield, for sure.

]]> http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/09/08/arizona-mitral-valve-repair-jack-copeland/comment-page-1/#comment-14845 Linda Garbett Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:30:29 +0000 http://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2009/09/08/arizona-mitral-valve-repair-jack-copeland/#comment-14845 Adam This piece reminded me that I wanted to update you and your followers of my mitral valve repair surgery. If you recall several months ago I asked if anyone had experience with Health Net as I had been denied the use of robotic-assist (the DiVinci robot) approach to my surgery. I cancelled my surgery on June 16th and spent 5 weeks diligently pursuing the appeals process. It was a spiritual, emotional and physical journey but I did succeed in having the denial overturned. On July 31st at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach CA, Dr, Aidan Raney and his amazing team performed the six hour repair with robotic assist eliminating the need for my sternum to be broken. 72 hours later I was released from the hospital with a repaired valve, virtually pain free and a handful of small scars on my right side and groin. Within 2 weeks both my surgeon and cardiologist released me to resume full activities. Three weeks from the day of surgery I was kayaking with my daughter. I will be on a few meds for 3 months but other than that the surgery is a distant memory. If anyone has the opportunity to be a candidate for the robotic-approach I would most definitely suggest they pursue the option. Adam
This piece reminded me that I wanted to update you and your followers of my mitral valve repair surgery. If you recall several months ago I asked if anyone had experience with Health Net as I had been denied the use of robotic-assist (the DiVinci robot) approach to my surgery. I cancelled my surgery on June 16th and spent 5 weeks diligently pursuing the appeals process. It was a spiritual, emotional and physical journey but I did succeed in having the denial overturned. On July 31st at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach CA, Dr, Aidan Raney and his amazing team performed the six hour repair with robotic assist eliminating the need for my sternum to be broken. 72 hours later I was released from the hospital with a repaired valve, virtually pain free and a handful of small scars on my right side and groin. Within 2 weeks both my surgeon and cardiologist released me to resume full activities. Three weeks from the day of surgery I was kayaking with my daughter. I will be on a few meds for 3 months but other than that the surgery is a distant memory. If anyone has the opportunity to be a candidate for the robotic-approach I would most definitely suggest they pursue the option.

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