Steven's Guestbook

Steven Kantor  Adam, I actually just sent you an email message. Happy to be your brother in the Ross procedure. I was inspired by your story. Having not been offered the Ross I’m beyond grateful to read articles published by esteemed physicians like Dr El-Hamamsy. What can be said about Paul Stelzer, MD? His bedside manner is the greatest. I can’t even tell you how many times he spoke about the Mount Sinai team. Stelzer and El-Hamamsy are true game changers and life savers. I’m blessed.

  Steven, you are writing already? Hallelujah! Write more when you can and let us know how it went. Soooo happy for you and Robyn and your family. Be well and continued recovery and good health

Steven Kantor  Nancy, thank you so much! I appreciate it more than I could possibly express. I know I’ve chosen the best surgeon and hospital for this procedure. It’s out of my control now!! I feel the love and my recovery team is beyond what anyone could ever have. Thank you!!

Steven Kantor  I like NY Strip and eggs on bagel sandwich! Thank you my brother. I’m good and looking forward to getting through this. All good and lots of great things ahead...maybe some more golf lessons soon!! Happy Thanksgiving.

Steven Kantor  Matt -
I'd be happy to respond to you or discuss the matter by phone. My private email is contactstevek@yahoo.com.

In short, I really have no limitations other than the fact that power lifting is probably something to avoid with a new valve and most people would say there is little benefit to that activity. Bavaria was amazing. From what I have read if they can repair your valve give that a shot. Absolutely. My was too calcified to repair. As to the mechanical v tissue debate, I take 1 asprin a day. No restrictions. There is a basic dietary restriction Bavaria gave me that others don't seem to discuss and that is to avoid calcium carbonate. You find it when you see things like organge juice "fortified" with calcium. Avoid that. Milk/yogurt...all good!
I'm hoping to get a long time out of my tissue valve. I didn't want to go on blood thinners and just because you get a mechanical valve doesn't mean you never have to get operated on again.
Matt, I don't care what all of the people say on this site, I didn't like getting operated on and I didn't like the recovery. However, my heart muscle is the strongest it's probably ever been. That is a miracle. They literally do fix us. I'd be happy to talk to you or correspond by email.
As to surgeons, get someone that does a lot of this work. I not only had the valve problem but also an aneurism and I develop an electrical problems (SVT) and I needed an ablasion done. It's all incredible.
The decisions is not easy but just remember there are something like 100,000 valve jobs done each year. Technology keeps getting better. I wish I got 20 more years before needing the surgery as blood thinners will likely improve, valves are getting better and the process improves. Tissue valve I hope bought me about 15 + years of medical advancement. It's also 15 years of not being on blood thinners!
Steve

Steven Kantor  Bob,
If you send me your private email I'd be happy to connect with you.
As a quick response, I don't think any patient wants to go on blood thinners nor does anyone want to go through this again. Just note there is no guarantee that if you get a mechanical valve you wont have to be operated on again. I'm betting on technology and leveraging quality of life. I take an aspirin each day and that's it. I hope to get 10-20 years of that! The perfect scenario doesn't exist yet but they're working on it! I hope this helps. I'd be happy to talk to you.