About Me (In My Own Words)
In January 2025, it was discovered I had a 4/4 Severe, 70%, mitral valve regurgitation leak into the left ventricle.
Dr Gillinov was planning to do a robotic, minimally invasive approach, until testing the week before revealed my Chronic Kidney Disease, Stage 3b, Creatinine level were at 2.2, up from 1.8. Dr Gillinov said if he did not change to a sternotomy approach I might end up on dialysis after the surgery.
I had a sternotomy and my recovery has been great. Never had any pain, problems or complications.
Two weeks after returning home, I began follow-up with my Primary Care Physician for lab monitoring , primarily anemia, with Complete Blood Counts (CBC) and Creatinine/kidneys with Comprehensive Metabolic Panels (CMP) every 2 weeks. The anemia continuously improved and the Creatinine stabilized at 1.8 again in a few weeks as expected.
8/26/25, at 9 weeks post surgery, I started the 12-week Cardiac Rehab Program. I am doing well.
It matters who does your heart surgery, how much experience they have, their success record. The outcome of your heart surgery is going to affect you the rest of your life.
Dr Gillinov is the most experienced mitral valve surgeon in the world with over 10,000 surgeries, over 1,000 annually. He is considered the best in the world. The Cleveland Clinic was rated the #1 heart hospital in the US from 1995-2024, until 2 NY hospitals took the top 2 spots in 2025 according to US News and World Reports. Cleveland Clinic may be third now, but it is still excellent and Dr Gillinov is still considered the best surgeon in the world.
More Info About Me & My Heart
More About Me
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I am from:
Decatur, AL
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My surgery date is:
June 30, 2025
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I was diagnosed with:
Mitral Regurgitation
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My surgery was:
Mitral Valve Repair
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My surgeon is:
Dr. A. Marc Gillinov
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My hospital is:
Cleveland Clinic
