Comments on: “Did You Travel For Heart Valve Surgery?” Asks Carol

By: Maureen Sadang

Maureen Sadang — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:52:56 +0000

I live in Hawaii and heart surgery is done in Honolulu, so I had to travel 1 hour to the airport and then take a 30 minute flight to Honolulu. Easy to do pre-surgery. there are many variables to consider regarding the recovery portion of all of this. this is not really addressed well in the surgery prep portion by anybody. I was told I’d be in hospital 5 days at least, then I’d have to do the reverse – travel to the airport, 30 minute flight and then an hour long drive home. I was 65 years old at the time of my surgery – one year ago. I live with my small grandchildren and was concerned with being bounced upon! I was told that once I had returned to Maui after being discharged from hostpital that I would have to return to Honolulu again 2 weeks later for a checkup. At that point I decided to stay on Oahu for my recovery. I rented a condo for a month that was on the ground floor so I didn’t have to deal with stairs. It was the best decision I could have made! I was in hospital for 7 days and can’t imagine getting on an airplane, squeezing into the seat and doing the flight. others I know who have had to return home considered that to be the worst day of their lives! I don’t know how people fly great distances from their homes do this. I would do the same thing in a ‘heartbeat’. I could have come home 3 weeks post surgery and done okay, but had to rent my place for the month. It was much easier for my grandchildren to see me later in the healing process. I slept sitting up for a long time and still find a car seat belt irritating. It has taken the better part of a year to get to where I feel like I have some ‘steam’ again. I guess it depends on what one is able to do and renting a safe haven isn’t always possible. I have heard nothing but good things about my surgeon, Dr. John Chen- from others in the medical field! I feel blessed to be on this side of it and consider each day a blessing. I hope this helps you to decide. One nice thing about Hawaii is that it’s always summer, so one doesn’t have to deal with poor weather issues! Aloha, Maureen!

By: Allan Weeks

Allan Weeks — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 05:42:53 +0000

I am a patient that needed heart valve replacement and I was very fortunate to be given a Doctor who was rated among the top 3 heart surgeons in the world, and that’s just not by me. His name is Dr Tyrone David. Not only does this man perform valve replacements he teaches other doctors around the world on a regular basis how perform these heart techniques of many kind of heart surgeries. My point here is I would highly reccomend anyone to travel to Toronto, Ontario Canada which is where Dr.David is residing. He is not only a surgeon but Dr. Tirone David is the Head of the division of Cardiovascular Surgery at the Toronto General Hospital. If you want the best and can inquire whether or not it is even possible to get this man as your surgeon I would trave anywhere in the world if I ever need another surgery and he was going to be my surgeon.

By: Marilyn

Marilyn — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 12:28:28 +0000

I,too, traveled to the Cleveland Clinic, where I received superb care. However, now, nine months after double valve replacement I have found that the procedure is so routine that any large hospital is proficient in performing it. I would urge Carol, and others, not to believe all the hype about finding the absolute best surgeon for this procedure–it’s a real waste of time and money. Additionally, I would say, for anyone wavering about having valve replacement, definitely do it over “learning to live” with defective ones. Valve replacement restores good health; being on meds only enriches the pharmaceutical companies!

By: L King

L King — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 03:52:17 +0000

My note doesn’t exactly address the LONG travel time as we only had 60 miles to travel back home. My surgery was on Thursday morning and we headed home Monday morning. Made the trip just fine.

Seems, reading this blog, that everyone thinks that Cleveland is the ONLY place for aortic valve replacement surgery. My surgery was performed in Jackson, TN by Dr. Arthur Grimball. I am two weeks post surgery, and I am doing great!! I am 65 years old next month so my youth was not a factor. Check out some doctors close to home if you are uneasy about traveling after your surgery. BIG is not always better.

By: carol Kirson

carol Kirson — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 21:27:34 +0000

Thank you all for sharing your experiences about the travel issue.

Hearing from all of you is certainly going to be a help as the decision time comes near. First I will check with my insurance to find out what my “covered” options will be….this site and Adam’s book and blog are full of so much invaluable advice.

Just the other day I was speaking with a very casual acquaintance who is a retired urologist facing av surgery. I told him about Adam’s book and site and he is so grateful for all the info Adam has make available to all of “us”. As a doctor I think he felt he would know all there was to know about the surgery….until he learned otherwise.

By: Steve Burke

Steve Burke — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:42:38 +0000

I had aortic valve replacement Aug 31 in Concord, NC,,,heart unit in hospital associated with Duke Medical Ctr. Dr. Takla perfomed surgery,,,excellent surgeon!,,,spent 7 days in hospital,,,wonderful follow-up support by hospital!,,Carolinas Medical Center-Northeast,,,

Artificial Valve as opposed to pig, bovine,,,was told I did not want this operation again at 70- 75 yrs old, due to wear out of pig/bovine valve,,,Am now 60,,,

Each day, I am feeling stronger!,,,Begin Cardiac Rehab 10/06!,,,

By: Mack Armstrong

Mack Armstrong — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 19:42:18 +0000

I traveled from Boston to the Cleveland Clinic for two reasons:
1. To have the surgery at the best place possible with the highest ranking for results and complications and
2. To have the surgery via robotic methods to keep the pain and recovery to a minimum.

I am happy to report that I achieved both results. My stay at the hospital was 4 days at which time I was able to travel.

I was at Cleveland Clinic prior to surgery to have the case evaluated and be seen by a cardiologist and traveled by plane (in and out in the same day). I returned to Boston to have the heart cath and pre-op proceedures and had them mailed to the surgerical team at the Cleveland Clinic.

I checked into a hotel on the hospital campus with my significant other and two kids 24 hours prior to scheduled surgery. After surgery and returning home, my cardiologist in Boston provided follow up treatment. I did not have to return to the Cleveland Clinic for any post op treatment after checking out of the hospital.

There were two occasions when I phoned the Cleveland Clinic cardiologist to seek his advice which they did without hesitation.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Mack

By: Mario

Mario — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 15:25:29 +0000

I had my AVR surgery on July 23, 2009 at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville. I live in South Florida and it is 5 hours drive. I belive that only because I had such an amazing team taking care of me, I survived more than expected complicated suregy, and already fully recovered and even playing tennis!

I would recommend that you never think of anything else (travel, time, etc.) but where you will get the best complete service that you can receive when such a serious surgery is involved. It is not only the surgeon (who has to be amazing) but the whole team surrounding him and the ICU after the surgery.

Do your research thoroughly in advance, and you will see that there are actually very few hospitals where you can receive such a good care.

I would reccomend the Mayo Clinic and Dr. Kevin Landolfo to anyone considering the AVR surgery.

By: Steve McDonald

Steve McDonald — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 01:46:09 +0000

I WILL BE TRAVELING 4 HRS FROM NORTHERN WI. TO THE MAYO CLINIC HOPEFULLY BY THE END OF OCT. FOR MY VALVE JOB. STILL WAITING FOR MAYO TO SET UP MY DATES. IT’S NOT ACROSS COUNTRY, BUT STILL WILL BE CHALLENGING AS MY WIFE ISN’T MUCH OF A CITY DRIVER AND WE REALLY DO NOT HAVE MUCH OF A SUPPORT GROUP. ALITTLE CONCERNED ABOUT THE DRIVE HOME ATERWARDS. IF I DON’T HAVE A HEART ATTACK BEFORE, I’M SURE TO HAVE ONE ON THE RIDE HOME….LOL.

By: Don Hull

Don Hull — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 18:21:11 +0000

Hi Carol,
My answer may be a little different from the others. I made the decision in February of this year to have my mitral valve repaired. I consulted with three surgeons, one at University of Alabama, Birmingham; one at Vanderbilt University Medical Center; and one at The Cleveland Clinic. All three advised me that I needed my valve repaired, and that they didn’t see any unusual complications.

At the beginning I really thought I wanted to go to The Cleveland Clinic, and I have no doubt they would have taken good care of me. However, because of information in Adam’s book about the importance of a support network for the family, and because we were really impressed with the surgeon and staff at Vanderbilt, we decided on Vanderbilt. As it turned out, I had some complications post mitral valve repair surgery and 12 days later had surgery to replace my mitral valve. Vanderbilt is only two hours from our home and we have many relatives and friends near Nashville. Also, as it turned out the nursing staff in Cardiac Intensive Care is top notch. We’ll never know if it might have turned out differently at either of the other two hospitals, but what we do know is the many family and friends helped my wife get through a very difficult time.

Hope this helps and good luck,
Don
P.S. I am now back at work, I’ve lost 25 pounds, and even though I thought last year I felt fine, I now feel much better than I’ve felt in years.