Guestbook of Adam Baumgartner

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Adam Baumgartnergot a new guestbook post

1072 days ago

Grace Mason posted a note for Adam that says:

Wow, you have just had your surgery recently. So glad to hear you are doing well.
I have read some stories about the breastbone popping and clicking, ...Read more

Wow, you have just had your surgery recently. So glad to hear you are doing well.
I have read some stories about the breastbone popping and clicking, and or causing issues for a long time. Did/do you have any issues with your sternum healing?

Adam Baumgartner I did not have any sternum issues. Mine was wired together. I was very careful with sternum precautio ... Read more

Adam Baumgartner I did not have any sternum issues. Mine was wired together. I was very careful with sternum precautions for 6 weeks post surgery. Your other question I saw, the tube was out before I woke up from surgery. Some people say they remember getting it out but I didn't. I considered Ross, but I chose mechanical as my backup because I had regurgitation and Ross will work but more ideal for those with stenosis. Everyone is different and has different thoughts so Ross may be right for you. Ask potential surgeons lots of questions.

Grace Mason Thank you for sharing

Donna Casaletto Adam, I’m just curious are the sternums routinely wired together or did your sternum require someth ... Read more

Donna Casaletto Adam, I’m just curious are the sternums routinely wired together or did your sternum require something stronger?

Adam Baumgartner Yes. Wires are standard to keep the two sides together while it heals. Some people get plates with sc ... Read more

Adam Baumgartner Yes. Wires are standard to keep the two sides together while it heals. Some people get plates with screws holding the sternum together. This is called rigid sternal fixation. It's supposed to speed up and make recovery easier. But wires were standard for my surgeon so that's what I got. My understanding was he only did rigid fixation for high risk patients because it makes reoperations more difficult or weaker bone or something like that.

Greg Lewis Mine was wired, also. I am currently looking into if the wires have moved. My right pec keeps swellin ... Read more

Greg Lewis Mine was wired, also. I am currently looking into if the wires have moved. My right pec keeps swelling, and maybe getting the wires removed will solve the problem. But, I think wires are pretty standard.

Donna Casaletto Thank you Adam and Greg, I’ll be sure to ask at my 2nd pre-op appointment tomorrow what type of clo ... Read more

Donna Casaletto Thank you Adam and Greg, I’ll be sure to ask at my 2nd pre-op appointment tomorrow what type of closure I’ll have. Greg, I hope you find the answers to your swelling soon!

Greg Lewis Thanks, Donna! Me too. I wish I had these, back when we used to put tinfoil on the TV antenna, to get ... Read more

Greg Lewis Thanks, Donna! Me too. I wish I had these, back when we used to put tinfoil on the TV antenna, to get reception. ..😂

Adam Baumgartnergot a new guestbook post

1073 days ago

Kimberly Eisenhut reacted to this

Ruth joy posted a note for Adam that says:

Hi Adam ,
Congratulations on your one year anniversary !!!

I hope that your brother is keeping well too .

Adam Baumgartnergot a new guestbook post

1196 days ago

Ruth joy posted a note for Adam that says:

Adam , lovely to hear how well you are doing

Adam Baumgartnergot a new guestbook post

1230 days ago

Lea Salinas posted a note for Adam that says:

Hello Adam. I jus read your meassage. I was your time at UW Medicine. I am really nervious about my surgery. The doctor said the best way for me to repair my ...Read more

Hello Adam. I jus read your meassage. I was your time at UW Medicine. I am really nervious about my surgery. The doctor said the best way for me to repair my mitral valve was thru open heart surgery and I am really nervious about that. Just wanted to know how long were you in the hospital and what your experience like in UW.

Adam Baumgartner The whole team at UW was fantastic. I was in the hospital for 5 days. Open heart surgery with a full ... Read more

Adam Baumgartner The whole team at UW was fantastic. I was in the hospital for 5 days. Open heart surgery with a full sternotomy is scary, but it provides better visibility and access for the surgeon to perform a successful surgery. To me that is the important thing. I was sore for a while but my sternum and incision didn't really hurt. It was mostly muscle pain for me. 6 months later and I feel better than I have in a couple years. I wish you luck and would be happy to answer any other questions.

Adam Baumgartnergot a new guestbook post

1277 days ago

Ruth joy posted a note for Adam that says:

Hi adam ,
Another milestone . I bet that felt good !

Adam Baumgartnergot a new guestbook post

1303 days ago

Ruth joy posted a note for Adam that says:

Thank you , adam ,

So true ! I hope that you are doing okay .

Adam Baumgartnergot a new guestbook post

1320 days ago

Timothy Andre reacted to this

Ruth joy posted a note for Adam that says:

Hi adam ,
I hope your brother stays well . At least he ‘s getting regular testing and screening and has a fab big brother .
Your nerves sound to be ...Read more

Hi adam ,
I hope your brother stays well . At least he ‘s getting regular testing and screening and has a fab big brother .
Your nerves sound to be healing , that ‘s great news . Well done with the cardiac rehab , you ‘re doing really well !

Adam Baumgartnergot a new guestbook post

1320 days ago

Timothy Andre reacted to this

Ruth joy posted a note for Adam that says:

Hi adam ,
How are you doing ? You sound well

Has the circulation improved to your fingers and thumb ? It’s still early days if they still feel a bit... Read more

Hi adam ,
How are you doing ? You sound well

Has the circulation improved to your fingers and thumb ? It’s still early days if they still feel a bit uncomfortable .

Adam Baumgartner Ruth, thanks for checking in. I am doing well. Still have numbness in my hand and it's actually a lit ... Read more

Adam Baumgartner Ruth, thanks for checking in. I am doing well. Still have numbness in my hand and it's actually a little more tingly, but hoping that means feeling is coming back. Nerves in my chest are a lot better. Otherwise feeling great. I haven't felt this well exercising in a long time. I started jogging in cardiac rehab last week. It's amazing! Will be 4 months post op in a few days. Unfortunately, my younger brother just found out he also has a bicuspid valve but he has no symptoms or stenosis or regurgitation at this time. Hopefully stays that way. At least he is aware of it ahead of time, unlike me.

Adam Baumgartnergot a new guestbook post

1342 days ago

Timothy Andre reacted to this

Ruth joy posted a note for Adam that says:

Adam , you are doing really well . Pace yourself and don ‘t be doing too much too soon .
You ‘ll sleep well tonight .

Adam Baumgartnergot a new guestbook post

1344 days ago

Jim Nowicki posted a note for Adam that says:

Did you have AFib as a complication after surgery Adam? I am 19 days in and that's my only complication. I was told it goes away 99 percent of the ...Read more

Did you have AFib as a complication after surgery Adam? I am 19 days in and that's my only complication. I was told it goes away 99 percent of the time by 3 months after surgery.

Adam Baumgartner No, fortunately not.

Adam Baumgartner There are lots of people here that have though so I'm sure someone will have some insight

Rose Madura I had Afib/aflutter for about six weeks and then if went away - hopefully for good!

Jim Nowicki Did you take any medication for it before it went away?

Rose Madura I was on Amiodadrone and Metoprolol in large doses. During my last hospital stay about 2-1/2 months ... Read more

Rose Madura I was on Amiodadrone and Metoprolol in large doses. During my last hospital stay about 2-1/2 months after my surgery, I refused it (Amiodadrone). They put me on Multaq (very expensive but less side effects). Then it seemed everything got better after 3 months and they weaned me off. Now I'm on 25 mg of Metoprolol Succant (sp?) And 2.5 mg of Amlodipine plus 1 baby aspirin every other day. I'm close to 5 years out now and all is well. My eyesight had worsened from Amiodadrone as well. It's ok for short term just after surgery but I wouldn't want to be on it longer. I'm not a doctor but talk from personal experience.

Jim Nowicki Thanks Rose I will look into that medication. I can't take this Amiodadrone any more it is causing me ... Read more

Jim Nowicki Thanks Rose I will look into that medication. I can't take this Amiodadrone any more it is causing me serious side effects and has me feeling awful.

Adam Baumgartnergot a new guestbook post

1387 days ago

Andrew Dial posted a note for Adam that says:

Hey Adam, how was your experience at UW? Did they replace your aorta w a hemiarch or…? Glad you are feeling much better.

Adam Baumgartner Thanks. Dr Burke and the entire UW team were fantastic. Communication before and after was good and e ... Read more

Adam Baumgartner Thanks. Dr Burke and the entire UW team were fantastic. Communication before and after was good and everything went smoothly. You are in good hands. I am so glad I went there because he was able to repair the valve. Um I didn't need a replacement of the arch. They used a Valsalva graft to replace the root and just the ascending aorta. I see your surgery got moved up?

Andrew Dial That’s good man, I’m glad to hear… I’m glad u had a great experience.

And yeah I have ... Read more

Andrew Dial That’s good man, I’m glad to hear… I’m glad u had a great experience.

And yeah I have been super tired just all the time lately and some lightheaded ness off and on, which I’m not sure is stress related or physically related cuz my heart stuff. But we talked with CB and decided to move it up to June.

Adam Baumgartner The fatigue sounds familiar. Hope all goes well for you.

Adam Baumgartnergot a new guestbook post

1435 days ago

Andrew Dial posted a note for Adam that says:

Hey Adam, hope all went well with your surgery!

Adam Baumgartner Thanks Andrew. Surgery went great and recovery is now going well too

Adam Baumgartnergot a new guestbook post

1438 days ago

Miriam St.Clair reacted to this

Nancy Angsten posted a note for Adam that says:

Thinking of you Adam. I hope for the best for you.

Adam Baumgartner Thank you. Went well

Adam Baumgartnergot a new guestbook post

1438 days ago

Holly Wale, Heather Kelly reacted to this

Miriam St.Clair posted a note for Adam that says:

Sending positive thoughts for you for your big day. We'll all be anxious to hear how well your recovery is going.

Marie Myers Hoping everything goes smoothly for you tomorrow, Adam!

Rose Madura Wishing you well tomorrow.

Lifted you up in prayer for a successful surgery and recovery. God bless you

Heather Kelly Prayers for a smooth surgery and an easy recovery. God Bless

Susan Lynn Sending positive thoughts and prayers your way, Adam! You've got this! ❤

Adam Baumgartnergot a new guestbook post

1467 days ago

Andrew Dial posted a note for Adam that says:

Hi Adam. I am 32, live in Wa state as well. I have an appointment with Chris Burke in two weeks to discuss my options as well. I have aortic stenosis, bicuspid ...Read more

Hi Adam. I am 32, live in Wa state as well. I have an appointment with Chris Burke in two weeks to discuss my options as well. I have aortic stenosis, bicuspid valve, and ascending aorta (46mm). I have been seeing a cardiologist at overlake my whole life, however they are only recommending mechanical valve, but they don’t perform the Ross there. I did my own research and came across the Ross; I think if you are an active person at all, the Ross is no brainer. Higher risk? Absolutely… but the reward far outweigh those I think. I read somewhere recently where a guy got over 35years out of his Ross procedure before needing another surgery. I’m here to chat more if you want to throw some ideas off each other, discuss any thoughts you have… - Andy

Adam Baumgartner Hi Andy, I am still undecided on Ross or mechanical. I like the potential upside of the Ross procedur ... Read more

Adam Baumgartner Hi Andy, I am still undecided on Ross or mechanical. I like the potential upside of the Ross procedure, but I am not an ideal candidate with an aortic root of 45 mm and annulus of 32 mm. Would need a protected Ross with external Dacron rings for reinforcement to prevent dilation again. There doesn’t seem to be as much long term data for this version of the procedure. For the mechanical option, I feel like the blood thinner use can’t be as bad as it’s portrayed and the on-x valve seems better than the older mechanical valves used in most of the comparisons with Ross outcomes. So, I am torn. Getting another opinion from Mayo just to help me decide.

Andrew Dial That’s a tough call. Whichever one you decide is best for you, it’s all gonna work out for the be ... Read more

Andrew Dial That’s a tough call. Whichever one you decide is best for you, it’s all gonna work out for the best. Pros and cons to both. Both are going to last a good amount of time. Keep us posted on what you decide please!

Adam Baumgartnergot a new guestbook post

1527 days ago

Holly Wale, Adam Baumgartner, Deena Z reacted to this

Ginny Turner posted a note for Adam that says:

Welcome to the group, Adam. You will find so much information here and many caring former patients ready and willing to answer questions and offer support. ...Read more

Welcome to the group, Adam. You will find so much information here and many caring former patients ready and willing to answer questions and offer support. I highly recommend getting more than one opinion from surgeons. In my case (mitral and tricuspid repair, upcoming in January), I got two opinions which differed significantly. Although I live in Texas, I will have my surgery with Dr. Marc Gillinov at the Cleveland Clinic. It helps to learn as much as possible before making the decision. Best of luck as you move forward!

Adam Baumgartnergot a new guestbook post

1527 days ago

Welcome Adam. I had the Bentall procedure for the same diagnosis as yours almost two years ago. This site was a source of information and support and comfort ...Read more

Welcome Adam. I had the Bentall procedure for the same diagnosis as yours almost two years ago. This site was a source of information and support and comfort at a time of great confusion and fear. Hope you find the same. If you have questions ask away. Keep us posted in your heart journey. God bless you

Adam Baumgartner Thank you. I am sure I will have some questions down the road.