Derek's Journal

Chris Germano  Derek, I'm traveling from Southport NC to The Cleveland Clinic for my 1st SVAR. 10/27/25
I'd say it's worth traveling for the best care and CC is at the top of most lists. 

Derek Schilling  Chris Germano- I see you were at CC for pre op activities . Do you plan to drive or fly back to NC after surgery? And then post op checkups in NC also?

Pamela Gregory  Hi Derek. I traveled from DE to the Cleveland Clinic and for me personally it was well worth it. I flew 1st class on the return flight so that I didn't have to worry about navigating people and luggage. Also if you drive a long distance you need frequent stops to walk to prevent blood clots. They will advise you what to do depending on the length of your trip. NC not so far so I would thing just walking on the plane once would do the trick. They have hotels very close for patients traveling from out of town. One is connected to the Clinic and there is a Holiday Inn about 2 or 3 blocks away that has a shuttle. It is literally a straight shot 2 or 3 blocks. Please let me know any other questions you may have

J Alexander Lassally  Hi Derek - Interesting question. Probably for me, the tricky part was in the transition back to my home docs and hospital. I traveled from the northwest to Cleveland, and while Cleveland was exemplary in every way, the care and rehab was lackluster at best back west - so you will have to work hard the transition back...  MY case was extreme as it was new years and my cardiologist even refused to see me for meds updates... But yeah...  Also the plane ride was challenging but it was doable. I would stay on the ground where you are having the surgery as long as possible.  I did about 3.5 weeks 

Valerie Allen  I stayed in Cleveland for 2 weeks, part in hospital and part in connected hotel. It was an excellent arrangement. I had to fly to Atlanta then after a couple hour layover, fly to Savannah. With the first class seat, the reserved wheelchair assistance and a heart pillow to hold during any bumps or just as a precaution, it was tiring but good.

Derek Schilling  Thank you all, great info! That is what I was looking for, to see how others accommodate the travel pre and post.

Chris Germano  Hi Derek,
I'm flying up and flying back 1st class, just like Pam. I've set up for an airport wheelchair as well, just in case I need one on my connecting flight. I've had a Cleveland Clinic Cardiologist ever since I was diagnosed with my bi-cuspid aorta at a Duke Hospital in Raleigh NC. I would go to CC one year for an echo and the next year at Duke, I would have my CC cardiologist review the Duke echo with me via Zoom meeting. I did that for 6 years. I recently moved to the beach coast of NC (Southport/Oak Island). I have a new cardiologist down here for my follow-ups and found a top-notch heart rehab facility in Southport. I plan to get my post-op Echoes in NC, but have my CC cardiologist review them with me via Zoom.  Hope that helps. all the best

Derek Schilling  Thanks Chris, sounds like you have a great plan! Keep us all posted post-op. You will be back to good health in no time. Time flies through the good and not so good times!

Rose Madura  I did not have any tests at one year. Each cardiologist will have their own protocol I would think. They may do an echocardiogram to make sure everything looks good.

Marie Myers  I had an echo at around 10 months, and have not had one since (Jan 2018) I think if your heart sounds good, and you are not having any symptoms, there may be no need to do an echo or an even more invasive test like CT scan.

leslie terjesen  I had aortic valve replacement on 2/19 and having my carotoids checked tomorrow and an echo at the end of November. Feel wonderful and enjoyiing working out although I hurt my shoulder overdoing it on a rower. My husband is starting Rock Steady Boxing for Parkinson's on Monday, 3x a week, so I am also going to go to that gym since I need to drive him there and look forward to working out there. I am having these tests just for follow up explained my cardiologist where I live.

MARIE PICUN  In October will be 1 year for me. My cardiologist wants me to have an echo in January of 2020. I will see my doctor in February.

Derek Schilling  Thanks all for the info, I am on a 325 mg and just wondering and considering if I can go down to an 81 milligram per day.

Dan Baltazor  I'm on 325mg a day and I'm 11 weeks post op. I was told I would be dropped down to 81mg around 3 months post op which is coming up. I will be asking at my next appointment about it.

Derek Schilling  Cool Dan, please let me know your doctor's thoughts, seems this is a doctor's preference type of thing.

MARIE PICUN  I had my aortic surgery Oct 9,2018. I am on 325 mg asprin till April. Then I will go down to 81mg asprin.

Anders Carlos  I’m not sure about that specific valve but in interviewing several top surgeons (Cleveland Clinic, Starnes at USC, others) they were all consistent that an AVR with porcine or bovine in someone in their mid 40s would last 5-8 years. Immune system at that age would burn through it quickly. There can always be outliers but from everything I’ve read that estimate seems fairly consistent for aortic replacement. Have you looked at the Ross?

Marie Myers  Yes. It is called the David Procedure. I thought I might have had that, since my valve was not my big problem-the 4.8cm aneurysm was. My surgeon felt it was better to replace my valve at the time, to save me a re-operation in the future. I went with that plan 1 1/2 yrs ago at age 63.

Derek Schilling  Thank you Marie. Doctor and I both leaning towards tissue medtronic's freestyle valve, but then my 15-year clock starts ticking, or less for re-op. Had to question if less of a risk of reop if my bicuspid would last that long

Derek Schilling  Forgot to put out there that I am 44. Still not a hundred percent sure which valve route to go either.

Marie Myers  It was a hard decision for me at 63.( Probably the hardest decision I ever made) can only imagine how hard the decision is for you. Research as much as you can stand, and get a few different opinions. Wishing you peace with whatever decision you make!