David's Journal

Well it’s here. My one year post Robotic Mitral Valve repair Anniversary. Contemplating the year the word that always creeps into my mind is fortunate. I am very fortunate that my Cardiologist, Dr Evan Mintz followed my mitral valve prolapse closely through the years. Fortunate that when the time came I moved quickly to identify NYU Langone, and Dr Didier Loulmet, Dr Eugene Grossi & the rest of the Langone team.
they may not mentioned on this community page, but in my research they are the Dr’s that other minimally invasive Robotic Valve Repair Dr’s go to for training. Today sunny and I owe my life in the sun to them.

Hello Community. I wanted to take a second and post my progress. I had Minimally Invasive Robotic Mitral Valve Repair Surgery on 2/27 at NYU Langone in NYC. Quickly, I was diagnosed at the age of 25 and have been watching my prolapse with my Cardiologist. At age 40 what was mild became moderate and during the summer of my 60th birthday I had a few A-Fib episodes. Up until last summer I would say that I would be classified as Asymptomatic. We scheduled an Ablation and in passing my Cardiologist suggested I build a relationship with a surgeon for the purpose of tracking my case never thinking a surgery was in my near future. I made an appointment with Dr Didier Loulmet at NYU Langone based his extensive experience with Robotic surgery, reputation, and the reputation of the whole NYU team. In meeting with Dr Loulmet, he listened to my prolapse and strongly suggested an esophageal sonogram for a better picture. What was a moderate regurgitation was now diagnosed as severe and a surgical repair was better done sooner than later. The ablation was cancelled and the repair Dr Loulmet was very comforting and the surgery was scheduled. At the time of surgery I was introduced to Dr Eugene Grossi who is surgeon who works with Dr Loulmet. For those who may not know he is a co-inventor of an annuloplasty ring needed to keep the valve in shape. I cannot say enough about the team at NYU Langone. They are beyond comforting, confident, warm and professional with not only me but also my family. The valve repair, ablation surgery went very well. The care of the nursing staff once in my room could not have been better. Now that I am two weeks out I am walking miles, climbing stairs, and feeling great. According to my Cardiologist the prolapse and regurgitation is gone, and every day is a step in the right direction.

Now that this is behind me I think back to some of the subtitle changes in my weight, swelling in my legs noticeable when I would take off my socks and wheezing that my wife noticed, maybe I was not totally asymptomatic. Be your best advocate and seek professional opinions, and male sure what they are telling you makes sense to you. I do know that moving myself to meet Dr Loulmet likely could not have come at a better time.

I am schedule for a Robotic Mitral valve repair at the end of the month. Can you guys tell me what to expect when I wake up? Were you still intubated? How did you feel? When is it right to have visitors come by?

Hey community.
I have a Mitral Valve repair coming up in February.
any thoughts, suggestions on things I should be physically to prepare for the surgery and a fast recovery?