I am scheduled for aortic valve replacement on Dec. 3rd. I am fortunate to have Dr. Patrick McCarthy as my surgeon. I am not very apprehensive more ready ...Read more
I am scheduled for aortic valve replacement on Dec. 3rd. I am fortunate to have Dr. Patrick McCarthy as my surgeon. I am not very apprehensive more ready to have it over with and start rehabbing. I do have a question to throw out there for the community. I need a dental clearance and the dentist I am working with seems a bit eccentric. I had a cleaning done last week and I took amoxicillin as instructed. I had a mild reaction to the amoxicillin with a rash on my feet and both feet were very itchy. This dentist wants me to come back for a more extensive cleaning this Tues but I am not willing to take the drugs that close to surgery...I don't want to be stressed out with a rash or itchiness 6 days before entering the hospital. I need some dental work all of which can wait till after my surgery. All my surgeon and medical team want to know is if I have any infections, shouldn't the dentist have been able to see that in the initial cleaning? My insurance isn't going to pay for a second cleaning anyway. Do I need to see another dentist? This seems a bit much to me...has anyone else had a similar experience? It was 5 years since I had a cleaning but my gums don't bleed and I floss daily and have for years. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Lou
Brian Havlin I went to my dentist and they did x-rays to determine if there were any infections. I didn't need a ... Read more
Brian Havlin I went to my dentist and they did x-rays to determine if there were any infections. I didn't need a cleaning for the dental clearance.
Dan Vechiola I had AVR surgery by Dr. McCarthy 3 months ago. Yes show your dentist the form that you need signed ... Read more
Dan Vechiola I had AVR surgery by Dr. McCarthy 3 months ago. Yes show your dentist the form that you need signed and do whatever it takes. As Brian said, it usually involves x-rays to confirm there are no infections. However, some dentists can be opportunists because you need that form signed.
Rosemary Bobicz Creutz I have a suspected allergy to amoxycillin so I have been prescribed Azithromycin for dental work. Che ... Read more
Rosemary Bobicz Creutz I have a suspected allergy to amoxycillin so I have been prescribed Azithromycin for dental work. Check with who prescribes your med. for another antibiotic.
Rob Sparling My surgical team forbade dental work in the two weeks prior to surgery. I had to accelerate my appoin ... Read more
Rob Sparling My surgical team forbade dental work in the two weeks prior to surgery. I had to accelerate my appointment. The alternative if could not accelerate the appointment was to use the scheduled appointment (within the two week “no fly” zone) for only the required x-rays and to get the sign off I was infection-free.
Louanna Miller I, too, had valve repair in August by Dr McCarthy. I had xrays and a cleaning about 3 weeks before s ... Read more
Louanna Miller I, too, had valve repair in August by Dr McCarthy. I had xrays and a cleaning about 3 weeks before surgery. My dentist completed the form.
I’m allergic to Penicillin and take Cleomycin for all dental procedures. Also, Dr. McCarthy’s post surgery instructions state to not have any dental procedures after valve surgery for 4 months I believe.
Susan Lynn I'm allergic to penicillin and I don't tolerate erythromycin very well. I take clindamycin before den ... Read more
Susan Lynn I'm allergic to penicillin and I don't tolerate erythromycin very well. I take clindamycin before dental work. I would strongly recommend getting a cleaning and full set of xrays. My cardiologist didn't release me for cleanings for six months after surgery and only with the required pre-medication. The germs in your mouth and potentially abscesses can be problematic for your heart at any time, but can be a big issue before and shortly after surgery. Find a dentist you trust- it sounds like your current one may not be ideal. Best of luck to you.
Lou Kellen Thank you all for responding. My dentist signed the release and I had a successful valve replacement ... Read more
Lou Kellen Thank you all for responding. My dentist signed the release and I had a successful valve replacement. I am doing great since the Dec. 3rd surgery. I have a cardiac rehab question. I just completed my first week, 3 days of rehab. I was in great shape prior to the surgery and the clinicians seem to want to take things really slow. Prior to this cold weather spell I was walking 30-40 minutes daily. Just curious as to how hard anyone here pushed themselves in rehab and if anyone else felt as though they were moving too slowly. Why do I need to go to all 10 weeks if I can achieve it in 6 or 8? Seems to me I am being put on the same tract as some others who were obviously not in shape prior to their surgery and who quite frankly probably won’t workout again after their rehab is over. I hope this doesn’t come across ass mean spirited I certainly hope all the folks I am rehab with stick with some sort of exercise plan but as someone who has been exercising for the 30 plus years you know the folks who are packing the health clubs in January but can’t be found in March... I plan to speak to the people running the rehab but unfortunately when insurance is guaranteeing to pay for 10 weeks it’s amazing how that is also exactly what you need. Thanks for letting me vent
I’m allergic to Penicillin and take Cleomycin for all dental procedures. Also, Dr. McCarthy’s post surgery instructions state to not have any dental procedures after valve surgery for 4 months I believe.