Hubert Karreman posted a note for Matt that says:
Hi Matt,
I had my BAV repair on March 22, 2010, just more than 4 years ago. Everything's been great. I would recommend it if you can go that route. I remember waking up and being told it was done, and not recalling it ever being mentioned. I guess they have to size up everything right during the operation to decide if you are a good candidate for a repair. I think middle age is the bet time. I was 47 when I had it done. Before the operation and just after I did everything they told me to (as well as lose 30 lbs). A couple months after I went for naturopathic type heart meds - Hawthorne, CoQ10, Fish oil/omega 3's, Natto Kinase (instead of aspirin) and Mukta Vati (keeps my blood pressure around 105-110/65-70 instead of 135/85). Both Dr. Bavaria and my cardiologist are very happy with the way things are and are fine with me taking the natural meds since I am doing so well.
If your doc had Dr. Bavaria as a teacher, he had one of the very best!
Keep us posted and best wishes,
On April 3, 2014...
Rob Wigley posted a note for Matt that says:
What Cami said below.....totally.
On March 31, 2014...
Cami posted a note for Matt that says:
My best advice is this:
1. Pick a good surgeon
2. Choose your valve type
3. Set a surgery date
4. Once you've done those three things, do your best not to worry or fret.
I learned this this from my surgery - The surgeon will do his job flawlessly and you will be well cared for in the hospital. The alternative to no surgery is not-so-great, so just go with it.
And, if I could go back and change anything, I would worry less and be thankful more - insurance, excellent surgeon, supportive family and friends, husband and daughter, and the luxury of knowing I had a heart problem and choosing the time to fix it, rather than my heart giving out.
I find that this blog community is quite helpful and very supportive. It's great to have this network of people who understand and empathize with each other.
Just so you know, I've actually cut and pasted your comments to me to other people who emailed me because I found them so helpful. So thanks.
Also, I have a funny story for you about telling our daughter about what's happening. The difference between a 12 year old and a 5 year old is that they are still very funny, but just in a different way.
My wife and I went up to her room and told her we had something to discuss with her. We said it's nothing bad, but we wanted to tell her what we've been discussing privately for the last couple weeks. She had a very serious/ worried look on her face. When I explained that I needed to have work on my heart, her expression relaxed and she said, "Thank God...I thought you were going to tell me I was going to get a little sister!"
We smiled a bit, and then she said, "I was trying to figure out when I had left the house for you guys alone" At that point, we all started dying laughing.
Kids are ridiculous!
On March 31, 2014...
Susan Smith posted a note for Matt that says:
My "not so smart phone" put "buggy when I was trying to put "biggie". Sorry 😊
On March 31, 2014...
Susan Smith posted a note for Matt that says:
Matt welcome to the community. Do keep us posted as you go along on this journey. I am about to have surgery in April. Do read the journals and do the videos. You will be prepared. Getting the surgeon is a buggy and will set the stage. Have a great day.
I never got back to your answer, but thank you for the response. I feel like I'm in a pretty good place mentally, and I'm trying to get myself scheduled for end of the month. When are you doing yours?
I had my BAV repair on March 22, 2010, just more than 4 years ago. Everything's been great. I would recommend it if you can go that route. I remember waking up and being told it was done, and not recalling it ever being mentioned. I guess they have to size up everything right during the operation to decide if you are a good candidate for a repair. I think middle age is the bet time. I was 47 when I had it done. Before the operation and just after I did everything they told me to (as well as lose 30 lbs). A couple months after I went for naturopathic type heart meds - Hawthorne, CoQ10, Fish oil/omega 3's, Natto Kinase (instead of aspirin) and Mukta Vati (keeps my blood pressure around 105-110/65-70 instead of 135/85). Both Dr. Bavaria and my cardiologist are very happy with the way things are and are fine with me taking the natural meds since I am doing so well.
If your doc had Dr. Bavaria as a teacher, he had one of the very best!
Keep us posted and best wishes,