Paul's Posts

Paul, I highly suggest you get a second opinion, and even possibly, a third. Dr. Joseph Lamelas recently moved back to Miami. He was here in Houston for two years, and before that, in Miami. He is considered one of the best in minimum invasive surgery. Several people on this site have used him. There is a few other patients who have or are seeing Dr. Accola at Advent. Hopefully, they will tell you more about him. I wish you the best.

Paul, so glad to see you back online. I was scrolling down the other day to find your last post to check in on you and couldn't make it down the list far enough. The site wouldn't allow me before it locking up and refreshing to the top. I would strongly encourage the option that gives the surgeons the *most* latitude to get things done right! On top of that, get the best surgeon and team available. The sternotomy is not really something you need to avoid — it really isn't horrible. It is mostly mental and adds a day or two to your hospital stay and some discomfort. If it extends your life, and increases the odds significantly that things go well, it is an OK extra "feature" of the whole thing that is worth it!

There are surgeons out there who will do a lateral thoracotomy repair without the robotics, or do a partial sternotomy (which I had) without the robotics. The surgeon I used is Luis Castro, however, he's in Northern California. I'm certain that there are great surgeons nearer to you who could do the repair you want in the way you want it done. Agree, get at least one more opinion!

Paul, Cleveland Clinic Weston? May be easiest to get that arranged at a CC facility given the progress you made up to this point with CC Main Campus. Can (did?) Dr.Gillinov or your CC Cardiologist make a recommendation to you? Of the major cities in FL, Weston is nearest to Miami.

Paul I went to Cleveland Clinic in Weston Florida. I live quite close to the hospital. was hoping to have minimally invasive mini right thoractomy. But I had a lesion or cyts in my liver so I had to have the sterotomy. I also had the MAZE procedure as well as ligation of the left atrium. Because I was hospitalized with AFib in May. I knew I may need surgery. Unlike you I was aware of my heart murmur as a child. I was on medication since the year 2000. I knew surgery could be in my future. . The AFib was probably from my left atrium getting enlarged. Otherwise I didn't have symptoms. I'm feeling well now. My incision was just over 5 inches. I'm back to doing everything I did before. They put me on warfarin after the AFib and I may be able to get off it six months after surgery.

Paul - That's a tough one. Is there any way you can adjust your schedule to allow for the sternotomy or mini- sternotomy? You're already there - you're only going to have to return. All the minimally- invasive approaches require femoral cannulation. It's a huge disappointment, but our conditions don't get better on their own and there is risk while we wait. Best of luck with your decision.

Paul I can understand your being reluctant to have the OHS , but remember anything you have to do will not be there to do if you don't have your health I don't know how severs your case it but it could make a big difference . Wishing you the best of luck.

Dang, sorry to hear that. I'm sure its hard to come to terms with not having the robotic surgery as planned. Hopefully you will find a path forward and can figure out a way to make the sternotomy work. I know I was bummed out when I learned I couldn't do a non-invasive procedure as well, but will say the sternotomy wasn't as bad as I had envisioned, best of luck to you.

Paul, the full sternotomy is not something you should worry about. I agree with Willie, it wasn't that bad. It is also an option that gives the surgeon more leeway, I understand. Give them the options they need, man! Susan's advice is also very practical. Can you arrange to stay in Cleveland and define a clear path forward? Hang tough! Don't let this shake you.

When I first came here 2 years ago I was also eager for robotic surgery, but after reading a number of stories on here from patients who had them & had complications & pain after the fact, I changed my thinking. I had a full sternotomy & truthfully it just wasn't that bad, it's considered the gold standard. Good luck going forward, you've gotten some good advice here imo.