chris waters - Heart Valve Journal

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3783 days ago

So I'm scheduled to have surgery in a week and have to go see a dentist to make sure I do not have any teeth that are infected. I know I have one tooth that ...Read more

So I'm scheduled to have surgery in a week and have to go see a dentist to make sure I do not have any teeth that are infected. I know I have one tooth that needs to be pulled but doesn't hurt. Does this mean I will have to have the tooth pulled before they replace my valve?

Pat Bluemel Talk to both the dentist and your surgeons office on the best course of treatment. Generally they do ... Read more

Pat Bluemel Talk to both the dentist and your surgeons office on the best course of treatment. Generally they don't want you getting procedures that can be a cause of bleeding during OHS.

LaDonna Mangile They are looking for infection. If you don't have an abscess... you are probably okay. I went on my ... Read more

LaDonna Mangile They are looking for infection. If you don't have an abscess... you are probably okay. I went on my own a month ago...to be sure! It is dangerous to your heart. I agree with Pat call your surgeon and be sure you know their expectation!

Greg Johnson Take the dental stuff seriously. It is a very real source of infection and you need to be sure that y ... Read more

Greg Johnson Take the dental stuff seriously. It is a very real source of infection and you need to be sure that you have no infections prior to surgery. See a good dentist that understands the cardiovascular aspect of the teeth. My dentist wouldn't clear me for surgery until I could floss without any bleeding. It took three weeks of work with floss and those plastic green Christmas tree deals along with mouthwash to get there. But it felt good and my gums don't bleed at all now.

chris watersposted an update

3798 days ago

So I'm 35 years old very active (play a lot of sports) and I just met my sergeon yesterday. He is going to be replacing my aortic valve as well as the root. ...Read more

So I'm 35 years old very active (play a lot of sports) and I just met my sergeon yesterday. He is going to be replacing my aortic valve as well as the root. I'm struggling to decide which valve to go with mechanical or tissue. Does anyone have some good advice about which to choose. I know a lot of the pros and cons they say but I want to her it from those who actually have had the procedure done.

Jen Huff Chris - have you heard of the Ross Procedure? It's typically done on younger patients like us - I am ... Read more

Jen Huff Chris - have you heard of the Ross Procedure? It's typically done on younger patients like us - I am 31 and was asymptomatic. I was a runner and crossfitter before surgery. I had mine done 2 weeks ago at Mt. Sinai in NYC. You do need a very experienced surgeon since it's a complicated procedure. I was fortunate to go to one of the best in the world - Dr. Stelzer.

Daniel Spurgeon I have a healthy tricuspid aortic valve, but before my David aortic root replacement I told the surge ... Read more

Daniel Spurgeon I have a healthy tricuspid aortic valve, but before my David aortic root replacement I told the surgeon to use a tissue vslve if he couldn't reuse the native valve. I didn't want to mountain bike with blood thinners in my system. I'm 36.

Pat Bluemel I'm 42 and was hoping for the David procedure but my valve was too far gone. Prior to surgery and jus ... Read more

Pat Bluemel I'm 42 and was hoping for the David procedure but my valve was too far gone. Prior to surgery and just in case I chose tissue and then mechanical in that order. Every person has different reasons, I just wasn't ready for daily blood thinners and am fairly active so that weighed on my decision.

Mary Myers I chose tissue for my mitral valve. Did not want to be on blood thinners for the rest of my life. I.m ... Read more

Mary Myers I chose tissue for my mitral valve. Did not want to be on blood thinners for the rest of my life. I.may have to have replaced in the future but by then the procedure will be even more advanced. Good luck figuring which type.

LaDonna Mangile I decided on the mechanical valve. With the home testing now I felt that was the route for me. I do ... Read more

LaDonna Mangile I decided on the mechanical valve. With the home testing now I felt that was the route for me. I don't want to repeat this!

chris waters Thanks for all the comments it really helps!!!!

Ole Bore I'm 35 as well and incredibly active. I chose mechanical as I figured I didn't want to have another O ... Read more

Ole Bore I'm 35 as well and incredibly active. I chose mechanical as I figured I didn't want to have another OHS. assuming it works as designed, I won't have to. I have no problem with Coumadin or the blood tests. That said, choice of valve is a very personal decision and I suggest reading up on it as much as possible. I'm 3 months away from surgery at this point and almost back to pre-op fitness levels.

Best of luck and stay strong!

chris watersposted an update

3805 days ago

LaDonna Mangile reacted to this

So I go to meet with my surgeon next Wednesday. My surgeon is Dr. Chen from Atlanta.. Has anyone had any experience with him and how soon after meeting with ...Read more

So I go to meet with my surgeon next Wednesday. My surgeon is Dr. Chen from Atlanta.. Has anyone had any experience with him and how soon after meeting with him does he schedule the surgery?

LaDonna Mangile The day I met my surgeon at Mayo we discussed the surgery and then he told me his secretary would con ... Read more

LaDonna Mangile The day I met my surgeon at Mayo we discussed the surgery and then he told me his secretary would contact me to schedule at a convenient time. He was already scheduled out a month....so I took the second available date. This turned out to be best, as I needed time to arrange care for my horses and miniature donkeys and ponies. Easier for family too....but lots of time for me to worry and be anxious. I would go tomorrow if I could...as the wait is killing me!

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