I'm doing quite well almost a year since my mitral valve repair and 1 CABG surgery by Dr. Trento at Cedars-Sanai in Los Angeles. I just filled out their annual ...Read more
I'm doing quite well almost a year since my mitral valve repair and 1 CABG surgery by Dr. Trento at Cedars-Sanai in Los Angeles. I just filled out their annual survey on how I'm doing. My lead line in the comments section is that my recovery has been "remarkably unremarkable." I've drifted away from checking in here, but want to return to say how much I appreciate this website, Adam's book, and the good help it was for me a year ago. I can't say enough good things about Dr. Trento and Cedars-Sanai hospital. I was tempted to say "good luck" to all who are now facing heart surgery, but I don't think it's a matter of luck so much as being well informed, being proactive with your questions, choosing treatment providers wisely, and having great support of friends and family. All of that is greatly assisted by this website!
Cathleen Weed Yay! Love Dr. Trento and Cedars Sinai ❤️ We are so lucky!
Adam Pick Bill, You just made my day, my week, my month, my year. Nothing better than a surgical experience tha ... Read more
Adam Pick Bill, You just made my day, my week, my month, my year. Nothing better than a surgical experience that is "remarkably unremarkable"! Love that!!! ❤️
Enrique K Great update! Glad you are doing so well!
Re: Incision Shield -- I had my mitral valve repair surgery last April at Cedars-Sanai in Los Angeles, performed by Dr. Alfredo Trento, and my recovery has ...Read more
Re: Incision Shield -- I had my mitral valve repair surgery last April at Cedars-Sanai in Los Angeles, performed by Dr. Alfredo Trento, and my recovery has gone exceptionally well! At that time, I obtained the "Incision Shield" mentioned elsewhere on this site. I'm really glad I had it, especially for sleeping; it helped avoid bedding and clothing rubbing on my incision as promised. Now, I no longer need it, I have thoroughly cleaned it, and I will be happy to send it to someone soon to have surgery who could use it (free.) If you are interested, send me an email at wtharrison@aol.com and put "Incision Shield" in the subject line so I won't miss it. For information about this device, type "incision shield" in search box at top of page. Bill Harrison
Ed Miskovic I used one too. They are worth the costs. Free is better though.
Bill Harrison No takers yet; I still have it, waiting for a new home. wtharrison@aol.com
I'm doing quite well these days after my mitral valve repair and 1 CABG procedure last April. I completed cardiac rehab in Rancho Mirage a few weeks ago, saw ...Read more
I'm doing quite well these days after my mitral valve repair and 1 CABG procedure last April. I completed cardiac rehab in Rancho Mirage a few weeks ago, saw my cardiologist today for routine follow-up, and all is well.
What prompts me to update my status now is to acknowledge the personal appreciation I have for Florence Henderson, who died this week. We all knew of her through the years, but I never expected I'd have a sort of personal connection with her, through Adam's site. Florence had surgery performed some years ago by Dr. Alfredo Trento at Cedars Sanai Hospital in Los Angeles, and she subsequently produced a wonderful video about Dr. Trento, his history of growing up and going to medical school in Italy, his being recruited to Cedars Sanai, about his wife's insights into the kind of man Dr. Trento is. Florence Henderson's engaging personal message, along with other videos here, helped me decide to engage Dr. Trento for my heart valve repair. Florence's charming story about him made me feel that I already knew him pretty well before we ever met in his office. That in turn helped me feel secure and confident as I went into surgery. Thank you Florence Henderson, and of course, again, thank you Dr. Trento for the very successful operation and great outcome that you performed on me April 24, 2016.
Tomorrow will mark two weeks since my surgery for mitral valve repair as well as one cabg procedure to overcome a block in one artery. With both of these required, ...Read more
Tomorrow will mark two weeks since my surgery for mitral valve repair as well as one cabg procedure to overcome a block in one artery. With both of these required, I had full OHS with a not-so-mini strenotomy. (I don't know how mine compares to "normal" but it's an 8 or more inch incision.)
I feel that I am doing exceptionally well. I was told, both before and after my surgery, by various staff I encountered during pre-op testing and post-op care that Dr. Trento is absoultely the top surgeon around, that he is the surgeon other doctors choose for themselves when such services are needed, and that his patients always seem to recover faster, get discharged faster, etc. I think that is the case for me, and I am very grateful he took me on.
I was discharged on the 6th day after surgery, stayed at a nearby motel in Los Angeles for 2 more days, returned for a final check with Dr. Trento's physician assistant, and then she brought in Dr. Trento who I very much wanted to see as well. Eight days after surgery, my husband, who was with me every day I was an in-patient, drove me home to our house near Palm Springs.
I have not had much pain but encountered difficulty sleeping due a lot to the fact that I NEVER sleep on my back, never sleep in just one position, but which is the only way I can sleep now for a while.
I was issued a walker, for which I was glad those first few days. But I quickly got strong enough that, when walking around my neighborhood, I found it harder to deal with the walker and the cracks in sidewalk pavement than just walking on my own, and I wound up carrying the walker home, which was easier. So it now sits in the corner. I'm walking all the way around a very long block at least once each day with my son, as well as walking around my house easily and often. I expect to walk longer and more often as days go by.
I sleep a lot, at least twice a day. My son is here from Seattle to help out, and it is a great gift to me just for him to be here with me. And he fixes stuff I would normally be messing with, which is fun to see, too.
I return to my cardiologist in Rancho Mirage on Thursday. I will get the last stitches from my drainage tube entry points removed and get an update from him on prescriptions going forward. I will be asking him about the cardiac rehab program at Eisenhower Medical Center, primarily as to when to start that.
Being 73 and retired, I have little stress about how fast I'm regaining my strength, although that seems to be going well in this short time, so far. I'm very appreciative of my surgeon and the Cedars Sanai staff, who are terrific, of my husband's and son's good care, and of course, of Medicare!
This site and Adam's book have been central to my planning, my lower anxiety due to being well informed, and the supportive friendship that has evolved from Billy Gaines, a member of this group who also had OHS with Dr. Trento last fall.
I also wanted to share that I purchased the Incision Shield that Adam included information about when he sent me his book. I have found it to be helpful, and I wear it all the time. I have not tried going without it, so I can't compare how well it prevents discomfort from clothing, sheets, etc., but I encourage anyone facing OHS to consider it.
All for now . . . Bill Harrison
Cathleen Weed Awesome news! Dr Trento was my surgeon too 😀❤⭐! Love him!
Petey Bello Great news. Congratulations on feeling better!
Kate Watson Glad to hear you are doing so well already!! Keep up the good work.
I'm so glad to have found this site and obtained Adam's book as I learn I have to have a mitral valve problem taken care of. I'm retired at 73 years old, living ...Read more
I'm so glad to have found this site and obtained Adam's book as I learn I have to have a mitral valve problem taken care of. I'm retired at 73 years old, living with my husband in our home in Cathedral City, California. I was diagnosed in 2006 with dilated cardiomyopathy with an ejection fraction of 18. We had just started traveling full-time around the country with a 5th wheel trailer in tow. I've been on medication for that and also have used selected supplements to help with this as well. I had an ICD installed in 2007 after passing out briefly, having already been told I was a candidate for one. I was never shocked by the ICD but glad to know it was there. After over 5 years on the road, we moved into a home here in Cathedral City in 2012. A second ICD with resynchronizing features was installed in 2014 with great improvement in energy. EF now up at 55! But recently my mitral valve showed significant regurgitation. Fatigue has returned. Also an angiogram showed a significant blockage in one cardiac artery. (This was also discovered at time of first ICD implantation but no recommendation was made to do anything about it and I've not experienced any significant angina.) My current cardiologist has now encouraged me to consider having a bypass for that as well as a valve repair. So I learned about this site and turned here to search for a top surgeon and great hospital.
Emily Rowley I have read your Heart Story and Journal Posts. You have done your research well, which will help wit ... Read more
Emily Rowley I have read your Heart Story and Journal Posts. You have done your research well, which will help with a greater understanding of your condition. However if you have any questions please feel free to ask, I've been through full Open-Heart Surgery for Mitral Valve Repair. You write well too.
Take Care and hope to hear from you soon,
Emily.
Richard Puckett I hope things go well for you this upcoming week! I am sure it will, as prepared as you are. I thin ... Read more
Richard Puckett I hope things go well for you this upcoming week! I am sure it will, as prepared as you are. I think you made a good choice by having your surgery done at a top hospital by a well respected surgery.
I will have a similar surgery done shortly for mitral valve repair and a LAD artery bypass graph, probably at Cleveland Clinic. I, too, was hoping for a robotic surgery, but, because of the LAD artery blockage, I am now hoping for a mini-sternotomy. We'll see!
Cheryle Bird I've just read your Story having seen that your surgery is coming up on the 26th - same day as me :) ... Read more
Cheryle Bird I've just read your Story having seen that your surgery is coming up on the 26th - same day as me :) However I am in Australia, so I figure I will be a little ahead of you. You've researched well which has helped prepare you for these coming days - so now it's time to take the next steps. I pray that all goes well for you Bill, that your surgery goes smoothly along with your recovery. It will be good to get this all behind you and have renewed vigour. I'll keep an eye out for your next posts. Smiles to you.
Bill Harrison Thanks to all for your comments. My firt Post Surgery report was just posted today, May 9:
Bill Harrison Thanks to all for your comments. Post surgery report is below:
I have scheduled a mitral valve repair and a bypass graft on one main cardiac artery with Dr. Alfredo Trento at Cedars-Sanai Hospital in Los Angeles on April ...Read more
I have scheduled a mitral valve repair and a bypass graft on one main cardiac artery with Dr. Alfredo Trento at Cedars-Sanai Hospital in Los Angeles on April 26. I had very much hoped to have Dr. Trento use his extensive experience and skills with the DaVince Robotic system, but given the need for the bypass graft as well as the valve repair, that isn't possible. So I will be having what I think of as the more traditional "open heart" or sternotomy procedure. I live near Palm Springs (CA) and could have opted to have this done at the regional hospital near me, where I get my on-going cardiac care. But I'm impressed by Dr. Trento's experience and standing and the excellence of Cedars-Sanai hospital as well. I wouldn't have found him with the access to Adam's book and website -- thanks, Adam!
Through this site I was also connected with a recent patient of Dr. Trento's with whom I shared email and phone conversations that have been really helpful.
I'm not looking forward to this experience with glee, but I feel profoundly more prepared for it with all the information shared here. Thanks Adam and everyone else sharing here.
Franklin Wyrick Good luck with your up coming surgery Bill. I have found a lot of assurances on this site and I'm ve ... Read more
Franklin Wyrick Good luck with your up coming surgery Bill. I have found a lot of assurances on this site and I'm very thankful to have found it.
I'm finally going to see Dr. Trento tomorrow at Cedars-Sanai in Los Angeles to determine a plan for repairing my mitral valve. I've had the imaging tests, met ...Read more
I'm finally going to see Dr. Trento tomorrow at Cedars-Sanai in Los Angeles to determine a plan for repairing my mitral valve. I've had the imaging tests, met with my cardiology doctors here near Palm Springs, forwarded my records, and I'm now ready to see what plan we come up with. I'm hoping to have a minimally invasive robotically assisted surgery, but this may be complicated due to one artery that has a block that may also need attention. Don't know how that will affect the process. But now is time to move on to the next stage. Hope to have a surgery scheduled soon. I've greatly appreciated Adam's book and this website which led me to approaching Dr. Trento after seeing the videos and talking to one of his recent patients.
Linda Yaff Good luck Bill. I'm meeting with my surgeon tomorrow to at Univ of Penn - most likely picking a date. ... Read more
Linda Yaff Good luck Bill. I'm meeting with my surgeon tomorrow to at Univ of Penn - most likely picking a date. Best of luck to you
Sounds like we all get to see how we get this fixed. I meet with my surgeon for the 1st time at 10:0 ... Read more
Sounds like we all get to see how we get this fixed. I meet with my surgeon for the 1st time at 10:0 AM 4/12. So not wanting to go just gotta man up.
Adam Pick Bill, Thanks for the kind words about the book. You are in great hands with Dr. Trento. So you know, ... Read more
Adam Pick Bill, Thanks for the kind words about the book. You are in great hands with Dr. Trento. So you know, I filmed a video with Dr. Trento about robotic MVR. If you haven't see it yet, here it is - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANcCwBnEl4E
http://www.Heart-Valve-Surgery.com - Learn the advances in mitral valve repair surgery from Dr. Alfredo Trento, a leading valve surgeon, who specializes in t...
Linda Yaff Biological or mechanical? Any thoughts? Also - Adam - I have selected Dr Joseph Bavaria at Univ of ... Read more
Linda Yaff Biological or mechanical? Any thoughts? Also - Adam - I have selected Dr Joseph Bavaria at Univ of Penn - you've met him at a conference before. Small world!
Bill Harrison Adam, I have seen that video and many others you have produced; they were helpful, and from your vide ... Read more
Bill Harrison Adam, I have seen that video and many others you have produced; they were helpful, and from your videos here I selected Dr. Trento after seeing them.
I'm diagnosed with mitral valve regurgitation that needs to be repaired. I'm exploring options for surgery here in Southern California. I am a cardiology patient ...Read more
I'm diagnosed with mitral valve regurgitation that needs to be repaired. I'm exploring options for surgery here in Southern California. I am a cardiology patient at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage (near Palm Springs), and they have the capability to fix this. However, I'm really interested in minimally invasive surgery/robotic surgery and after finding a lot of information on this site, including great videos (thank you, Adam!) I'm considering Cedars-Sanai in Los Angeles or St. Bernardine in San Bernardino. I'd be interested in any feedback from you if you have experience in either of these two hospitals, and also Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage. I'm told I need to have this done in the next couple of months. I've recovered well from dilated cardiomyopathy, diagnosed almost 10 years ago, and I have regained essentially normal ejection fraction, particularly after getting a second ICD that resynchronizes my heart beat to overcome a long-existing left bundle branch block. The diagnosis of the mitral valve problem was a surprise result of a routine echocardiogram checking up on ICD surgery for repositioning an ICD lead last April. Recent angiogram shows one 70% blockage on main decending artery, which I would leave alone if it were the only problem. (No angina.) Not sure now what to do as I'm being told I need to get that fixed with a bypass graft as well as the valve repair. That one blockage has been at 70% for about ten years, so I'm inclined to ignore that right now and just get the valve repair done. Your thoughts will be appreciated, and I'll be back with an update when there is one.
Dr. Trento repaired my aortic valve at Cedars-Sinai 4 months ago (November 2015). Most surgeons, including one of the guys whose name frequently pops up a lot at Cleveland Clinic, told me that repair was not an option, so while I understood Dr. Trento could not promise a repair, it was awesome to come out of surgery and have my dad tell me Dr. Trento repaired my aortic valve.
I almost hesitate to say too much because while my overall experience was great, I recognize that even with the best surgeons and best teams, outcomes are not always ideal. And bad surgeons can also have great outcomes.
My very general understanding is that the chances of a mitral valve repair are better than an aortic valve repair - it's just easier to do based on the structure of the valves and whatnot. A lot of the things I found online about Dr. Trento talked about his experience with mitral valve repair, so one concern I had about Dr. Trento was that I could find very little online with him talking about aortic valve repair/surgery. After meeting him, however, I was very comfortable with him and his capabilities. In view of everything I learned, I feel if Dr. Trento could repair my aortic valve when most other surgeons told me repair was not an option, I would trust him to attempt to repair my mitral valve if I needed that done as well.
I can't say I have a lot of experience with hospitals, and I tend to be fairly laid back (e.g., I am probably an ideal patient), but I can only think of positive things about my experience at Cedars-Sinai and the staff overseeing my care. One thing that stands out that may be important to many is that I had a private room to myself the entire time I was there (4 days post-op).
When the staff asked me what surgeon performed my surgery and I replied, "Dr. Trento," they all raved about him and told me he was the best they had. They told me that his patients usually recovered faster and were released faster because he was so good at what he does. As one example, after reading about surgery for months, I was expecting the drainage tubes to remain in place for at least a couple of days. I came out of surgery at 6 PM on a Friday night, and they pulled the drainage tubes by mid-day Saturday! The staff told me that there was something about the way Dr. Trento did his work that caused less trauma.
In my case, Dr. Trento preferred a full sternotomy to ensure he could have good access to my aortic valve and clearly see everything. I wanted him to do whatever he felt was best, so I did not even push for a less invasive option. However, you will likely find that many surgeons are more likely to use less invasive options for the mitral valve, and there are some good videos with Dr. Trento talking about using less invasive techniques for mitral valve repair.
One final note is that I've talked to some other heart valve surgery patients that never saw their surgeon once after surgery! Dr. Trento did not see me the first 2 days post-op only because it was a weekend and he had to go out of town, but he stopped by every other day to check in on me and had the other operating surgeon checkin on me when he was out of town. All of the nurses and the PA even told me I could have probably gone home on the third day post-op, but Dr. Trento wanted to personally see me the next day one last time to make sure he was happy with everything. Dr. Trento also went out of his way to schedule a post-op appointment on days they normally do not have those type of appointments so I could get home to Las Vegas 2 days earlier (otherwise, I would have had to wait through the weekend).
Feel free to ask me any questions anytime. If you prefer to talk privately, you can email me at wgainesgmail.com. I'm also happy to get on a call with you as well.
Bill Harrison Thanks so much! I'll send you an email and perhaps we can talk on the phone. One question I have, in ... Read more
Bill Harrison Thanks so much! I'll send you an email and perhaps we can talk on the phone. One question I have, in that you -- like I am -- live out of town. How often did you have to return to Cedars-Sanai after you were initially discharged and went home to Las Vegas?
Bill
Billy G Bill, although we talked about all this on the phone, I just saw you replied here and figured I shoul ... Read more
Billy G Bill, although we talked about all this on the phone, I just saw you replied here and figured I should answer your question in case it can help somebody else out.
After my initial discharge, Dr. Trento said he would want his team to see me to stay around LA for about 1 week and then go in for a follow up appointment. After that appointment, I returned home, and Dr. Trento said he does not need to see me again at all, unless I want to see him or something arises. He said my cardiologist can pretty much be in charge with everything moving forward.
Bill Harrison Thanks again, Billy. Our 1-1/2 hour plus phone conversation was very helpful, your story is certainl ... Read more
Bill Harrison Thanks again, Billy. Our 1-1/2 hour plus phone conversation was very helpful, your story is certainly interesting, and your attitude and generosity in sharing the time with me was great!
I have an appointment to see Dr. Trento on April 12 to get acquainted and see if we can make a successful plan. I saw my cardiologist here in Rancho Mirage yesterday, and he immediately forwarded all my records to Cedars-Sanai. Today I picked up two CD's with images of recent tests; I'll pick up one more soon to take to that appointment. My angiogram shows the probable need for one bypass procedure as well as the mitral valve repair, so I'm anxious to talk to him and learn if that can all be handled with the robotic system. Fortunately, my calendar is quite clear for the next few months. (Retirement is generous this way :-)
I'm also currently dealing with dilated cardiomyopathy. They think with how large my heart is, that it could not possibly just be a valve issue. One theory is that it stretched the mitral valve causing the leakage. They've been putting off surgery to see if my heart and valve shrink. Amazing that your ejection fraction has almost recovered! I also have 20,000 PVCs a day so I often wonder if some type of resynchronizing device would help me as I know that many PVCs in a day can also contribute to cardiomyopathy. Your story just seems very familiar, but you've been treated and recovered and I haven't quite gotten there yet. That's great news! Best of luck with your upcoming surgery - I bet your heart will continue to recover.
Bill Harrison Ashley - I forgot to mention that I had PVC's many times a day from my mid-30's until my cardiomyopat ... Read more
Bill Harrison Ashley - I forgot to mention that I had PVC's many times a day from my mid-30's until my cardiomyopathy diagnosis at age 64. At that time, I started following recommendations for supplements from a cardiologist's book I came across on recovering from heart disease, and the PVC's have stopped. I can't prove it, but I think there is a connection. I don't know how much that might have contributed to my current problems, but sooner or later, everything seems connected.
Ashley Molyneaux Amazing! Do you mind if I ask what you were taking? I've been taking coQ10, Vitamin D and Magnesium ... Read more
Ashley Molyneaux Amazing! Do you mind if I ask what you were taking? I've been taking coQ10, Vitamin D and Magnesium and I eat lots of potassium. If you were having many a day, that could have definitely played a role. Glad to hear they've since stopped!