Erik 's Journal

Ginny Turner  Hi Erik and welcome to the group! I have a few thoughts after reading your story. I am 3 months post-op from mitral and tricuspid repairs and a Maze procedure. My surgery was by full sternotomy incision. I did consult with a surgeon who said he could do all three procedures with a minimally invasive approach. However my second opinion, and the surgeon I chose to do the surgery, was a much more experienced surgeon in my specific procedures. Although he said it was possible to do it, he did not recommend the minimally invasive surgery in my case for a few important reasons: I required more than one procedure during surgery, if the surgeon has a full view of the heart, they can get in and out faster, and the patient spends a shorter time on the pump, reducing potential risks and complications during surgery. I did not find recovery to be bad at all and I had very little pain in my chest or sternum. I was in ICU less than 24 hours, did not need opioid pain meds once I left ICU and flew home a week after surgery. For isolated valve repairs or replacements, MI can be a great option. In your case, I would go with the most experienced surgeon and operating team in your particular type of surgery and trust the surgeon's opinion on which approach is safest and best for you. Good luck as you continue to research your options.  

Peter Eglinton  Welcome! I had open heart surgery in 2019 to repair my aortic valve and aorta. Having this group for questions and support was invaluable. Please reach out as you navigate your journey. You've got this!

Timothy Williams  I had mitral valve repair 9 weeks ago.  I thought I wanted minimally invasive.  Surgeon I trusted recommended sternotomy for best chance of repair.  My pre-surgery anxiety related mostly to the sternotomy.  By 4 weeks after surgery, I was feeling like my old self and concerns about sternotomy, strength, range of motion, etc. were gone.  I also support Ginny's comments regarding finding the institution-surgeon-approach combination that you trust.  Make sure they are high-volume pro's.  Best wishes to you.  

Deena Elani  Erik, It’s your heart! Think long term survival.  Go with the most experienced and with the best outcomes. Outcomes drive decisions.  Did you check the outcomes for the MI surgeon you are exploring?  I also live in the DC area and went to Manhattan for two valve surgery. My other choice was the cleveland clinic.  

Erik W.  Mountains in Nepal around Everest, but I do hope to get to the Tetons some day if the heart holds out!

Adam Pick  Amazing shot Erik!  Did you know about Veronika Meyer? https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2007/12/03/veronika-meyer-at-mount-everest-peak-after-heart-valve-replacement/

Neal Syverson  This was my group backpacking along the Teton Crest Trail three years ago before I had my problems with the mitral valve.  Now that I had my valve repaired I should be able to do things like this again.

Sandy Harvey  Good luck with your research Erik. Lots of good surgeons to choose from. Options are patient specific ,  no one size fits all.