Alan Gottlieb - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

Update posted on...

September 20, 2019

4 Day to go. I'll be having my aortic valve replaced at Cleveland Clinic. I still have no symptoms, but the valve area is down to 1.0 cm2 and I have severe AR. Dr. Gost Petterrson is the surgeon. It's been 18 years of watchful waiting with ultrasounds every six months or so. I'm 68 and the Drs say there will never be a better time to get this done. The aortic route is normal size, and I have no other history of heart problems. Will have a Relias Inspira valve and hoping that this will be the only heat surgery I will need. This is all very scary, but I know Petterson and the Cleveland Clinic are the best bet. Any good wishes welcome.

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Susan Lynn Alan - We'll be with you every step of the way! You'll be amazed at the advances in medicine and the dedication of these cardiac professionals. Heart surgery ... Read more

Susan Lynn Alan - We'll be with you every step of the way! You'll be amazed at the advances in medicine and the dedication of these cardiac professionals. Heart surgery has come a long way and you're almost through the worst part- waiting! All the best! ❤

Mike Roskowinski Hey Alan welcome to the community. I am 4.5 months post surgery and feel great. Like Susan said these days of medicine are amazing and you will reap the rewards ... Read more

Mike Roskowinski Hey Alan welcome to the community. I am 4.5 months post surgery and feel great. Like Susan said these days of medicine are amazing and you will reap the rewards when you get your surgery. I had my valve replaced with mechanical one and also had an aneurysm fixed that had grown really big. Stay in there and keep positive the waiting is the hardest part

Herb Greenberg In 67, have been watching closely for years and getting closer. Will be waiting for your full post-procedure report. I keep reminding myself: This is a big ... Read more

Herb Greenberg In 67, have been watching closely for years and getting closer. Will be waiting for your full post-procedure report. I keep reminding myself: This is a big deal to us; the surgeons do it every day! All the best!

Joey Hardee Hey Alan. You are having this done in a great center with a great surgeon. You will do very well. I did the Edwards Inspiris Resilia valve simply because I ... Read more

Joey Hardee Hey Alan. You are having this done in a great center with a great surgeon. You will do very well. I did the Edwards Inspiris Resilia valve simply because I did not want to be on blood thinners. I'm 55 and know this means I will likely need a second procedure down the line whether that be a TAVR or a re-op when this one starts to deteriorate. I just have faith this one will last a while and God will see me through whatever is next. Incredibly to me, I am already 3 months post op and feel great. I was having some symptoms pre-op and they are either gone or markedly improved. I am thrilled with my progress to date. It has been said but bears repeating because it is so true.....the waiting is the hardest part. Prayers for you, Alan.

tim miller Alan, I can tell you first hand that the Cleveland Clinic is the best place to be. I’m 7 weeks out and my surgery did not go as planned, you can read my ... Read more

tim miller Alan, I can tell you first hand that the Cleveland Clinic is the best place to be. I’m 7 weeks out and my surgery did not go as planned, you can read my updates for specifics. My surgeon was Eric Roselli and he was awesome! His team was awesome! But those ICU nurses who care for you after surgery are beyond great. You are in very good hands so rest assured you have put yourself in the best place. That for me was so important and relieved me of a lot of worries. I kept telling myself “ your in the best place with the best people to care for you” . I changed my valve choice on the table during the huddle as I wanted the valve that would give me the chance of not having to do this again, I went with the On-X mechanical valve.
We will keep you in our prayers and update us when you can.

Update posted on...

September 13, 2019

10 days out from AVR replacement. 18 years since discovered - I have lived with it, and now it's time. Scheduled for surgery September 25th.

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Adam Collins You got this. None of this is fun, but you'll be out of the waiting room and into recovery soon.

My bicuspid aortic valve wasn't discovered until May of this ... Read more

Adam Collins You got this. None of this is fun, but you'll be out of the waiting room and into recovery soon.

My bicuspid aortic valve wasn't discovered until May of this year, and I had surgery on July 22nd. I just had to wait around for a couple months, and the anticipation and anxiety about the surgery was still hard to deal with for me. It's going to be such a great feeling for you when the surgery is behind you, especially if it's something you've been thinking about for this long.

Here's to an easy surgery and a quick recovery!

Update posted on...

August 8, 2019

Scheduled for an aortic valve replacement at the Cleveland Clinic with Dr. Gosta Petterrson. It's a bi-cuspid valve discovered 18 years ago and watched continuously every six months by doctors at John Hopkins. I'm 68 and in good health otherwise and am hoping for the best. Anyone have experience with Dr. Petterrson. Two cardiologists recommended him, and he seems to be one of the best.

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Mark Jaycox Hi Alan, I also was born with a bi-cuspid valve but did not know it until I saw a cardiologist at the age of 55. I took my doctors advice and went and saw a ... Read more

Mark Jaycox Hi Alan, I also was born with a bi-cuspid valve but did not know it until I saw a cardiologist at the age of 55. I took my doctors advice and went and saw a cardiologist because my dad passed at 57 and I figured with a family history it was probably a good idea. Fast forward 2 years and many, many tests later I had my surgery last December. I had AVR at Swedish in Seattle and I chose the Edwards Resillia cow valve. It's been 8 months and I feel great. This website was a godsend leading up to the surgery so keep us updated and before you know it you'll be a fellow Heart Warrior.

Catie B Alan, he was my surgeon in 2016. He took care of my aortic aneurysm, dilated aortic root and severely stenotic aortic valve. While I was at CC, several nurses ... Read more

Catie B Alan, he was my surgeon in 2016. He took care of my aortic aneurysm, dilated aortic root and severely stenotic aortic valve. While I was at CC, several nurses told me, if they needed heart surgery, Dr. P would be their personal choice. As you already know he has heaps of experience, much of it with complex cases or for patients who have already had one or more heart operations. Best to you!

Catie B Also Alan, you could check out Rob's story and journal--Dr. P completed his surgery last fall. https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/journals/mystory/robsparling

Patient Story of Rob Sparling

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/journals/mystory/robsparling

Learn about Rob Sparling, patient diagnosed with Aortic Regurgitation, Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Update posted on...

June 7, 2019

I am 68. Nearly 18 years ago, I discovered I had a leaking bicuspid valve in a routine physical exam. The first cardiologist I saw did a stress echo and told me that if I didn't get heart surgery in one year, I would be dead in five years. After the initial shock, we ended up at John Hopkins where they determined that while the valve was leaking, it was nowhere near time to operate.

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Rita St Pierre Wow that was scary. Glad to hear it is nothing quite so urgent

Rose Madura My situation was almost the opposite. My former (retired) cardiologist told me to wait for symptoms. My new cardiologist said said I couldn't even wait 2 ... Read more

Rose Madura My situation was almost the opposite. My former (retired) cardiologist told me to wait for symptoms. My new cardiologist said said I couldn't even wait 2 months (after I retired) so I retried early, had the surgery and 2 years later I'm doing fine!

Update posted on...

June 7, 2019

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My struggle with aortic valve disease

Journal posted on August 2, 2017

I have moderate aortic stenosis. 12 years ago it was discovered that I had significant aortic regurgitation and likely had a bicuspid aortic valve. I have had echocardiograms every six months for the last 12 years and the prognosis is that I will need surgery in the next year or two. Pretty scary but I am thankful that I have been able to live to 66 years as so many need the surgery earlier. I have done so much research and will
I Iikey have the surgery done by Dr. Paul Stelzer who I have known since the condition was first discovered. Will continue to right and post as I get nearer to surgery.

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Marie Myers Welcome to the site. Lots of good info and support here. I feel the same way as you- I got to 63 years of age before needing surgery for a BAV and ascending ... Read more

Marie Myers Welcome to the site. Lots of good info and support here. I feel the same way as you- I got to 63 years of age before needing surgery for a BAV and ascending aneurysm. So many people here have had to have surgery in their 20's, 30's and 40's.. Very humbling..

Lilly Black Alan, welcome! you are my age and I have already had 2 open heart surgeries. As Marie said it is humbling to learn about younger people also having to go through ... Read more

Lilly Black Alan, welcome! you are my age and I have already had 2 open heart surgeries. As Marie said it is humbling to learn about younger people also having to go through these surgeries! You will feel so much better....I guarantee it. I am proof! I even feel younger. :o) Good luck and keep us posted!