About Me (In My Own Words)
Hello. My name is Randy, I am 62 years old living in Newport Beach, CA and I have a bicuspid aortic valve that I have been monitoring for the past 8 years. After a recent and routine echocardiogram, I was told that my condition has progressed to the severe stage and that a heart valve replacement is necessary. Needless to say, I was in shock that my valve had deteriorated so quickly. I am very fit and weight train, walk and hike regularly. I have few symptoms (never been good under heavy cardio load) and I was counting on being well into my 70s before needing any surgery. I am now trying to figure out what doctor, and what procedure will maximize my life span.
I have come to grips with the fact that I must have this procedure soon and am feeling a bit overwhelmed with all the decisions I must make. I am hoping this website will help guide me to the best available doctor and procedure to keep me ticking for a long time to come. Mom is well into her 90’s with no signs of slowing down!
I have completed a preliminary first visit with a good local surgeon, Dr. Anthony Caffarelli here in Newport Beach, CA who is a highly regarded Cardiothoracic Surgery Specialist. He had me complete a CT -Scan with contrast of my chest and pelvis. I will be meeting with him for a follow up consultation on 1/3/2020.
I would like to choose the least invasive procedure, with the fastest recovery time but will yield to one that will keep me alive the longest. I know that with the current state of technology, I will need to have a valve replacement procedure at least one or two times more in my life. I do not want to compromise the revision possibilities.
As for financial matters, I have a good Blue Shield of California Plan which will work well at many California Hospitals. I have the ability personally pay for treatment anywhere I feel it will render the best potential outcome. I would deeply appreciate any experiences or advice from anyone in the “Heart Valve Surgery .Com” community and want to personally thank Adam for making this form possible.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Newport Beach , CA
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I was diagnosed with:
Aortic Stenosis
Bicuspid Aortic Valve
