About Me (In My Own Words)
I had been diagnosed with AFIB about 3 years ago and mild leakage of of mitral valve. I was for the most part asymptomatic until just a few months ago. I have been a pretty active 67 year old biking, hiking and surfing. Only in the last few months have experienced some shortness of breath. After an angiogram and a TEE ordered from my cardiologist did he suggest that I begin talking to different cardiac surgeons because my leakage was determined to be a severe 4+. He provided me a list of 4 different surgeons and I chose Dr. Starnes from USC. It was there I learned about HeartVlaveSurgery.com which was an amazing resource that helped corroborate my decision and inform me about different approaches and procedures. I was able to fit into the schedule on 8/23/22. Dr. Starnes performed a "minimally invasive" mitral valve repair, atrial appendage clip and a Cox Maze IV. I cannot say enough about the outstanding staff and facility at USC Keck Medical Center. The care and attention form the P.A., Bob Sachs to all the wonderful nursing staff, the P.T., and the other P.A.s were first rate. I spent a long eight days in the hospital and am now 2.5 weeks out and now walking a mile and half a day feeling great. I look forward to getting back to my old active routine in a few weeks and am so grateful to be on the other side of this episode. My wife has been my rock through all of this.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Ojai
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My surgery date is:
August 23, 2022
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I was diagnosed with:
Mitral Regurgitation
Atrial Fibrillation
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My surgery was:
Mitral Valve Repair
Maze Procedure
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