Erik 's Guestbook

Hi Erik. How is recovery going? My minimally invasive mitral surgery is in a couple of weeks. Did you have the cryogenic nerve block? Hope things are progressing well.

Erik,


I had aorta valve replacement and aorta stem replacement on 16 January 2021.  My best advice is follow the physical rehab instructions exactly.  You are extremally active and you will have a tendency to want to go faster than your doctors and PTs recommend.   Be disciplined in following their therapy regime.  Doing so will allow you to get back to the gym and enjoying the outdoors faster than you think.   I was also 56 when I had my surgery.  I am going backpacking to the Bridger Wilderness this year and have been training up for it for the past 2 months.   Excited to be back out enjoying the wilderness.

I’ll be thinking of and praying for you tomorrow as you go into and out of surgery. It will seem like a blink of an eye when you pop your eyes open after it’s all over tomorrow. Wishing you both a successful surgery and uneventful recovery. You’ve got this!~❤️

Hi Erik, you must be in Florida by now and looking forward to getting all fixed up.  Will be thinking of you often, until you are in recovery, as well as saying a prayer.  You have a whole lot of heart warriors rooting for you, sending positive vibes and prayers. 
You got this!

Hi Erik. Thanks for  sharing your story. I have similar issues at age 59. I am also hoping  for minimally invasive heart surgery.  I have been following Dr Lamelas as an option as well. Another one is Dr Tom Nguyen at UCSF. . If you would like to talk to a patient of Dr Lamelas let me know. I think I still have his contact info.   Wishing you the best and a speedy recovery’. 



chris. 

Eric, in Mar 2017 I went through similar issues with my aortic valve at Baylor Heart & Vascular in Plano, Tx near Dallas. My surgical team recommended open heart because aortic vascular issues often accompany bicuspid valve issues like yours. He wanted to see the aorta. When opened up the surgeon had to preplace the "ascending" aorta as it was thin and slightly bulging. All was good until Dec 23, 2017 when my "descending" aorta from the subclavian down to the bifurcation dissected... all the way. I almost met God!  I was in Tulsa and the only surgeon on duty at the OSU teaching hospital was available. He was able to stent the thoracic aorta section only. There was no other choice.  I'm living with the abdominal dissection and the false lumen is closing up slowly. There is an association with bicuspid valve and aortic dissection. In hindsight I am glad I went open heart even though it was truly painful. FYI, I was RV camping that summer after valve replacement. I also got back to the RV the spring of 2018. I was 74 at the time of both events. I do play golf now but live with six months scans under care of my cardiologist.

the aorta is like three sections i.e., ascending, arch, and descending aorta. I know of no procedure wo watch for descending dissection. Perhaps you surgeon may have suggestions on that. I would be willing to send you my surgical report for the dissection if you want. 

Good luck....

Skip Knowles

 

     

Hi Erick
   I had OHS at washington medstar in 12/2017. My cardiologist in frederick, md highly recommended Dr, Christian Schultz- who did fabulous work- barely a scar left.
i also was a life time athlete- runner, hiker, biker, kayaker. But the bicupsial aortic valve ( 5 .1 aortic aneurysm) failed. Keep  up the faith- you’ll be back to normal before you know it. I’ll be 69 this year. Good luck!!

Hi Erik. 

Having a plan is great. You do what you can to have your preferences treated with respect. 

Just realize survival is the goal here. If a mini has to be changed to a full Sternotomy then it is for your best outcome. (Speaking from experience) 
The full Sternotomy isn’t all that horrible and living a strong life after surgery is priceless. 

Best of luck and blessings

Hey Erik, After thinking about your situation, I was curious to know if you have seen this video yet? In the video, Dr. Stewart explains how he uses minimally-invasive techniques for the aorta and aortic regurgitation. Dr. Stewart focuses on "valve-sparing" procedures which enable patients to keep their native tissue via aortic valve reconstruction. I hope this helps you as you continue to learn more about your disease, your treatment options, and surgeons.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcOHwjIYT1A

Hi Erik,
I'm technically from D.C., too, but living abroad.  I just had a AVR done here in Saigon, Vietnam.  I hoped for a minimally invasive procedure, but after CT scans my surgeon determined the heart muscle was too large.  I was at a high level of fitness prior (old Marine) and my recovery has been quick, though I'm not lifting weights yet.  I was walking 5km strong within 10 days.  Unfortunately, i lost a lot muscle mass. 

Hopefully you can get the MI procedure, but if not your recovery should go well if you're fit going in.