The surgery is scheduled for 11/18/15. Today it really hit me that it is happening. There is so much that I want to do before the surgery,and feel like that ...Read more
The surgery is scheduled for 11/18/15. Today it really hit me that it is happening. There is so much that I want to do before the surgery,and feel like that there is so much to get done. We will do our best to do what we can.
Tammy Pilcher Eric, it's good that you'll soon have the waiting done and your heart fixed. Keeping you in my praye ... Read more
Tammy Pilcher Eric, it's good that you'll soon have the waiting done and your heart fixed. Keeping you in my prayers for everything to go perfectly. God bless you, heart brother!
Jacqueline Cook Hi Eric. I'd like to second what Tammy said...it's good to have the waiting over with and a mended he ... Read more
Jacqueline Cook Hi Eric. I'd like to second what Tammy said...it's good to have the waiting over with and a mended heart! You can only do what you can do....I am in the exact same boat! My surgery was originally scheduled for December 17 and was moved to November 11 just last week. Blessings to you as you continue to prepare....sending prayers for peace throughout the process! Your heart sister, Jacqueline
Christine Oliva Eric, good luck tomorrow. God's blessing during your surgery and strength in your recovery. It will b ... Read more
Christine Oliva Eric, good luck tomorrow. God's blessing during your surgery and strength in your recovery. It will be worth it!
Hope your surgery is uneventful and you heal well! Thoughts are with you and your family.
Surgical consult is within 4 days. Can't wait to find out how long we will have to wait until the procedure can be scheduled. I'm assuming that we will probably ...Read more
Surgical consult is within 4 days. Can't wait to find out how long we will have to wait until the procedure can be scheduled. I'm assuming that we will probably go after Christmas.
Jeff V. Eric, I saw where you were looking for questions to ask your surgeon. Below are some of mine... ... Read more
Jeff V. Eric, I saw where you were looking for questions to ask your surgeon. Below are some of mine...
Do you think I need surgery, why?
What type of surgery do you recommend, why?
Are there any other less invasive opportunities to consider? What are they?
What do you consider my greatest risks from this operation?
What do you expect is the best outcome from this operation?
Has anyone ever died from that surgery? Why?
If I/surgeon choose a tissue valve what are the risks for re-surgery in 10-15 years? More complicated? Can the second surgery be done less invasively? TAVR?
What is your prediction for the likelihood of repair/long term success for the mitral valve? Is this the institutional % or the surgeon’s repair rate %?
What is your prediction for the likelihood of needing a pacemaker long-term?
What is your expertise in repairing my type of mitral/aortic valve condition?
What is your recommendation for the aortic valve replacement? Xenograft (usu. pig or cow valve tissue) or Homograft (human cadaver valve) or mechanical. Why?
What type of valves (both aortic/mitral) show best performance results for durability, heart function preservation/improvement, hemodynamics, resistance to clotting and tissue growth (scarring), lowest dose anti-coagulation (for mechanical), best resistance to calcium build-up?
If mechanical/tissue, what valve type/mfgr. is generally preferred by you? Why?
How long do you estimate I will be on the heart/lung machine?
How long have you been performing heart valve surgery?
How many surgeries have you performed?
What else should I know about you or this surgery that might help me make up my mind?
I will be having my surgical consult on 10/27. We will determine a surgery date at that time. Any suggestions on how to prepare for this meeting, or questions ...Read more
I will be having my surgical consult on 10/27. We will determine a surgery date at that time. Any suggestions on how to prepare for this meeting, or questions I should ask?
Duane Beeman My guess is that you have done your homework. I had surgery on June 9th. I'm still here. Do YOU ha ... Read more
Duane Beeman My guess is that you have done your homework. I had surgery on June 9th. I'm still here. Do YOU have any questions?
Eddie Patton If you can't find your answers here get Adams book. Between it and this site you should have everyth ... Read more
Eddie Patton If you can't find your answers here get Adams book. Between it and this site you should have everything you need. If not post a question you will get an answer here.
Eric Davidson Love Adam's book - been a great resource. The one question I currently have is are there any questio ... Read more
Eric Davidson Love Adam's book - been a great resource. The one question I currently have is are there any questions that you would recommend that we ask during the surgical consult?
I have congenital bicuspid valve with aortic stenosis. The inevitable is coming, and I've been given 6-12 months before valve replacement.
I know many in this ...Read more
I have congenital bicuspid valve with aortic stenosis. The inevitable is coming, and I've been given 6-12 months before valve replacement.
I know many in this group are post surgery or closer to surgery. What advice or wisdom would you share with someone like myself who is this far out?
Kenny Knox Hey Eric - do you have a date scheduled yet? My advice is to keep doing what you're doing. If you n ... Read more
Kenny Knox Hey Eric - do you have a date scheduled yet? My advice is to keep doing what you're doing. If you needed surgery sooner, I'm sure your doctors would have told you. I'd enjoy your summer like you would any other year and get ready to have some time off during football season or next basketball season.
Lewis Garlisi Stay as reasonably active as your cardiologist suggests, know that today these procedures are very co ... Read more
Lewis Garlisi Stay as reasonably active as your cardiologist suggests, know that today these procedures are very common and safe, educate yourself on the options available, understand and accept that the surgery is to improve your health and life, and brouse through this website - it can be pretty priceless. Best wishes.
Meredith Bray Pay attention to your body! I wish I had made notes of how far I could walk before getting short of ... Read more
Meredith Bray Pay attention to your body! I wish I had made notes of how far I could walk before getting short of breath. Stay active! I found that swimming was really good for me - it kept me moving, toned up my body a bit, and was relaxing (but I'm a floater, I don't have to work to stay on top of the water!) Also what Lewis said above - browse through the journals and read about other's experiences. I felt empowered when I finally went to surgery - I knew what to expect and what the outcomes would be. You got this!
m r My dad's cardiologist told him he could wait and now it's too late. Don't let that 12 month date pass ... Read more
m r My dad's cardiologist told him he could wait and now it's too late. Don't let that 12 month date pass. Have all the tests done and surgeon chosen so you can get right in in time. Once it's too severe they can refuse. He was asymptomatic and had no idea how bad it had gotten so fast.
Pat Bluemel A second opinion on surgery is always advisable, that way you are well prepped and educated on all yo ... Read more
Pat Bluemel A second opinion on surgery is always advisable, that way you are well prepped and educated on all your options. I am very glad I got one.
Lisa Heinen I recommend calling some prior surgery patients - they are all excellent sources of questions to ask ... Read more
Lisa Heinen I recommend calling some prior surgery patients - they are all excellent sources of questions to ask - write it all down - it's difficult to remember them when you get there as it's a very emotional process. They had been watching my bicuspid aortic valve for many years - and the aneurysm is what caused the cardiologist to put me in the next 6 months surgery category when I went in May. It was nice to have a couple of months to do research and plan for when I would be gone for a couple of weeks.
Lisa