Alan's Guestbook

Alan, Cathleen DeWitt said you might be a good person to ask. I'm Looking for anyone's Post Op experience after having a Mini-Thoracotomy. I'm trying to figure out what is best. Mini-Thoracotomy vs. Median sternotomy. Any input would be appreciated. Glad to see you are doing well.

HI Alan, Glad to read that you're doing well! I'm nervous about surgery in the Fall, and I have no symptoms either - which is tough - but your story makes me feel like it will be better after! I look forward to following your recovery! Best, Nancy

Hi Alan glad to see you are doing so well.. You stated that you went 10 year with severe stenosis and 6 month echoes.. I too have severe stenosis with bicuspid valve(diagnosed as severe in March after 5 years at moderate) but no symptoms at all.. I am on 3 month echoes.. I do a boxing working out 3-4 days a week and go up and down stairs all day.. I'm wondering what was the "straw" so to say that made surgery the option? I was told that if the stenosis went to critical even without symptoms they would do surgery.. I also am debating mechanical vs tissue.. I am going to be 55 in a couple of weeks.. I don't want another surgery but don't like medications. I see you got a mechanical and are an athlete.. any info is appreciated and continued good recovery and good health. thank you

Hey Alan, every time you post a comment I can see it two times/duplicated. Just letting you know. You might want to check with Adam delete/create a new account.

Hello Alan, Thanks for the note! I'm 41 will turn 42 in July 18. Age, was not a factor in choosing my tissue valve, it was the limitations that you have with a mechanical valve. I only take 81 MG aspirin daily and keep a well balanced diet low sodium and lots of vegetables and greens. I discussed this with my cardiologist and surgeon the pros of having the tissue valve vs mechanical and they agreed with me 100%. I'm very active, love skiing, walking all contact sports, love to drink socially with my friend on the weekend and sometimes with my wife at home. My lifestyle is critical to me I asked my surgeon If I'm on a mechanical valve what are my odds of being able to do all that? He told me you would not be able to Ski, do any contact sports or drink any alcohol and would have to limit your Vitamin K intake, Coumadin, check your INR all your life. This was a very simple decision for me on getting a tissue valve vs the mechanical. Since I was very fit at the time of surgery my recovery was very fast. If I would have to do surgery again, I would still get a tissue valve (Freestyle Medtronic Pig Valve). I was also very luck to have minimal invasive aortic valve surgery through the right side of my chest and aorta replacement with a graft so they didn't open my sternum. I wish you the best of luck in your decision. If you need any more input I will be glad to assist.

Hi Alan I struggled with which valve to get, bovine or mechanical. My surgery is in the middle of May? In the end, I didn't have much of a choice since I have a very small aortic valve and I was advised that bovine is actually too large to insert unless a more invasive, and involved surgical procedure occurs. And, it will need to be replaced in about ten years. I, like you, struggle with the fact that I will have to take blood thinners the rest of my life. I'm an active middle-aged tomboy and can see myself getting cuts and scraps monthly. But, in the end, I don't want a second surgery, so I've opted for the ON-X valve that requires 1/2 the dosage of blood thinners compared to the other mechanical valves. And, I'm scared "you know what" ! But, my surgeon is completely at ease and confident. I cannot tell you which valve to choose. But, it is good that your are researching all the options. I will be thinking of you. PS: If so many of us fear the Coumadin, we should come together as a group and let ourselves be heard. We should be a voice insisting on further pharmaceutical research be done since there are so Coumadin users. We want a newer blood thinner, made specifically for valve replacement, that does not have the "bleeding" issues that are connected with Coumadin/Warfarin. The squeaky wheel always get oiled first...