Hi Everyone. It's been a while since I've posted here. When I first did, I got a great welcome from two of you (Debra Keife and Susan Lynn). I don't know if ...Read more
Hi Everyone. It's been a while since I've posted here. When I first did, I got a great welcome from two of you (Debra Keife and Susan Lynn). I don't know if they've gotten my thank you messages but, if either of you are reading this, thank you very much again!! It looks like I'll be able to put off my open heart surgery for, at least. another year. Previously, my surgeon had said he wanted to do it "sooner rather than later". But more testing came back and it looks like my aneurysm is growing slowly enough to wait. I have to take medication for a car accident injury that makes remembering things tougher but I'm hoping to be coming reading your inspirational stories again soon. Thank you all for giving me that opportunity!
Susan Lynn David - I just saw your thank you and no worries - it's not necessary! When you're in pre-surgery mo ... Read more
Susan Lynn David - I just saw your thank you and no worries - it's not necessary! When you're in pre-surgery mode, you've got a lot on your mind and your plate. It sounds like your situation is compounded by a car accident, too - it seems like when it rains, it pours! But, the good news is, your test results indicate you can wait a year. That gives you some time to get comfortable with the idea, do any additional research, and ask all the questions you have about heart surgery and recovery. The heart warriors on this site are terrific. They will jump in to answer!!! Please keep us posted on your progress. A year will seem like forever (and like one moment) on any given day Awaiting heart surgery somehow defies the normal progression of time. One day at a time. One step at a time. You'll get to recovery and back to your life just like we all did. You can do this - we'll help you!
David Norden Hi Susan, It's great to hear from you again. Yes, the extra time for research, etc. is great! Origina ... Read more
David Norden Hi Susan, It's great to hear from you again. Yes, the extra time for research, etc. is great! Originally, it sounded as though I'd have had the operation already, but we're very happy for the extra time. It's awesome to have found a group of people to turn to with questions and more support. I've found a lot videos etc. on the internet on how the surgery is done but that could never replace hearing about it all first hand from those who've been there. Thank you so much again for your support and I hope you're having a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Hi everyone, This site seems great so I just signed up here about an hour ago. After looking around the site, I decided to post here. Maybe this isn't the place ...Read more
Hi everyone, This site seems great so I just signed up here about an hour ago. After looking around the site, I decided to post here. Maybe this isn't the place for it on here but I'm hoping for some guidance. My doctor said he wants to do an open heart surgery to fix my ascending aortic aneurysm. He didn't get too involved in discussing it but my girlfriend, who was there with me, and I couldn't recall all that he said. In my after visit summery, it said there were no comments taken about the visit so we only have what we can remember. So I was searching the internet for information for questions to ask etc. before I meet with him again tomorrow when I found a video of Adam"s on Youtube. The Surgeon he interviewed (Doctor Richard Shemin) answered a question about minimally invasive surgery. He said they can replace the ascending aorta and even the aortic arch through a same small incision. It looks like that video was taken about 10 years ago so I hope there are more surgeons with much experience that may be able to help with that. I found information on this site about doctors that do those types of surgeries and where to find them which is awesome but we're still overwhelmed. I guess I'm just hoping someone will see this who's been in my shoes and could offer some advice or anything that may help us get through this. Thank you!
Debra Keife Hi David. I am 5 weeks post surgery to repair my ascending aortic aneurysm and replace my aortic valv ... Read more
Debra Keife Hi David. I am 5 weeks post surgery to repair my ascending aortic aneurysm and replace my aortic valve ( I chose tissue). I had minimally invasive open heart surgery and the surgeon was able to do both at the same time. It's still open heart where they need to put the patient on a heart lung machine but the incision is only about 4 inches long and they don't have to open the entire sternum. It was a success and I am recovering at home now. I hope this helps. Good luck.
Susan Lynn Welcome, David! You have definitely come to the right place! We'll give you the answers to your que ... Read more
Susan Lynn Welcome, David! You have definitely come to the right place! We'll give you the answers to your questions (from the patient's perspective), as well as great information provided by the surgeons and heart hospitals on the educational links at the top of the page.
If you and your girlfriend are confused after your first appointment - you're exactly like most of us after getting the breaking news that we needed heart surgery!
I'm sure the heart warriors who have had your specific procedure will chime in, but the question you have about minimally-invasive entry is a good one that I can answer. I had a minimally-invasive mini-thoracotomy entry for my mitral valve repair - Class of 2017. It's a small incision (about 3-4 inches) with another two tiny holes for instruments and the camera. There's no sternum cut, so I found this pretty appealing and the recovery tends to be quicker with fewer restrictions. However, this form of entry requires cannulation through the femoral artery above your thigh - so technically, there is another small incision above your leg. It's important to note: Only the entry to access the heart is different, the surgery you're getting will be the same/similar as others getting the aortic valve repair. There's also a few caveats - a minimally -invasive approach not only requires an experienced surgeon, it requires that you have no heart blockages and a clear line from the femoral artery to the heart (this is determined using a CT with contrast of your chest, abdomen, and pelvis). If you don't meet the requirements or have some other structural anomaly, you may not be eligible for the minimally-invasive entry,
The most important part of selecting a surgeon is finding one who does a high volume of your specific repair. Experience makes a big difference when it comes to heart surgery. So, as much as I am a big fan of the mini-t, I will tell you not to make the entry your highest priority. In the process of doing interviews with my prospective surgeons, one highly-reputable robotic surgeon said to me, "Sometimes we want to get in and get out. (referring to sternum entry). In a month, it won't matter how the entry was done." He's absolutely right as many people on this site will tell you!
Good luck with your research. Confidence in your surgeon, team, and facility will make all the difference on game day! You've got this!
I’m sorry I didn’t respond to you both right away but I didn’t think you’d see it on this thread. Looking it over now, I hope you get notifications on these because I really want to thank you so much for taking the time to help me. I had a catheterization done (through my wrist didn’t work, so they went up through my leg immediately after). There are no blockages (Thank God). When I met with my doctor, I asked him about minimally invasive surgery and told him, from what I’d researched, it seemed like an option. But, he said it isn’t possible because it’s too close to the heart (my research into operating there seems quite unnerving). So he’ll have to cut the sternum. I believe he said he’ll then cut the aneurysm and tie it and it will be good for life. He said he wants to do it sooner rather than later. I’m supposed to go see him again in October. It doesn’t look like my insurance will cover me if I go out of state and it seems there aren't many options where I live. So I guess I just have to take his word for it.
