Vincent Kohne - Heart Valve Journal

My Journal

21 days ago

Rose Madura, Markos Barrios, Kimberly Eisenhut and 6 others reacted to this

Here's me right after my surgery. My wife took the picture which I thought was pretty nice. Hopefully that's my last valve replacement

Rose Madura You are a pro at this! You look pretty good for right after surgery. May your recovery be uneventfu ... Read more

Rose Madura You are a pro at this! You look pretty good for right after surgery. May your recovery be uneventful.

Marie Myers You sure look a lot perkier than I did at that time!!

Vincent Kohne Rose and Marie it was a tougher then it looks. I had a bad reaction to the fentanyl. Made me super s ... Read more

Vincent Kohne Rose and Marie it was a tougher then it looks. I had a bad reaction to the fentanyl. Made me super sick. Bad headache and bad stomach pains. My head and stomach felt worse than chest. Eventually they were able to switch me over to a type of oxycontin which helped a lot.

I don't know what it's like to have an aneurysm, I thought maybe I was one.

J Alexander Lassally Congrats on running the gauntlet ! It is strangely nostalgic to see the same gowns, same patient pro ... Read more

J Alexander Lassally Congrats on running the gauntlet ! It is strangely nostalgic to see the same gowns, same patient protocol and same look from my surgery.... Hope you find comfort in the days ahead !

Corey Potter Best Wishes on your recovery! I'm nearly 10 months post op AVR at CC. Had a good experience. Hope ... Read more

Corey Potter Best Wishes on your recovery! I'm nearly 10 months post op AVR at CC. Had a good experience. Hope yours was good too!

Adam Pick Love this!!!

Fidel Martínez Ruiz You look cheerful and in good spirits after your third surgery, you´re a true heart valve warrior, ... Read more

Fidel Martínez Ruiz You look cheerful and in good spirits after your third surgery, you´re a true heart valve warrior, indeed.

Vincent Kohne Thank you everyone for the nice comments.

Pamela Gregory You look amazing for post surgery. I hope you will be feeling the same way very soon! CC is awesome

John Cook You looked a lot better than I felt on the first day I could remember.

Kate Watson It's a great picture! I'm sure you may not feel well but I see you have a bright spirit. I'm sorry yo ... Read more

Kate Watson It's a great picture! I'm sure you may not feel well but I see you have a bright spirit. I'm sorry you've had to have 3 of these surgeries and I hope this valve lasts you many healthy years.

Vincent Kohne Thank you again everyone. I'm starting to sleep better. Walking everyday and beginning to do more leg ... Read more

Vincent Kohne Thank you again everyone. I'm starting to sleep better. Walking everyday and beginning to do more leg exercises. I walked over to Great clips to get a haircut, after that I walked over to the closest grocery store and bought some healthy food, my taste buds are coming back. This was the first time that I actually lost some of my taste. Trimmed my beard and got all cleaned up. Of course I've still not driving, lifting anything heavy. I want to follow the guidelines at the Cleveland heart clinic has given me.

Vincent Kohneposted a photo

21 days ago

Grace Mason , Henrik Lindeberg , Kimberly Eisenhut and 4 others reacted to this

A beautiful day in Cleveland

Pamela Gregory You are in a great place! I had my surgery there 3 1/2 years ago.

Vincent Kohne My surgery is tomorrow. During my surgery my surgeon will decide if I qualify for the Ross. Still a c ... Read more

Vincent Kohne My surgery is tomorrow. During my surgery my surgeon will decide if I qualify for the Ross. Still a chance I make it to Ross procedure. I'm shocked and thankful

Grace Mason What a beautiful day! Enjoy and try to relax. Tomorrow you get to sleep while your team does what the ... Read more

Grace Mason What a beautiful day! Enjoy and try to relax. Tomorrow you get to sleep while your team does what they do best.

Deena Z Almost there…. Soon to be in recovery

Pamela Gregory Sending my best thoughts and prayers your way today

We can't wait to hear from you very soon!

Rose Madura Godspeed!

Vincent Kohneposted a photo

21 days ago

Henrik Lindeberg , Kimberly Eisenhut, Deena Z reacted to this

That's me standing in front of the man-made pond

Vincent Kohneposted a photo

21 days ago

Kimberly Eisenhut reacted to this

Cleveland heart clinic

Vincent Kohneposted a journal

53 days ago

I have another question about the Ross procedure. Because I have a tissue valve in right now my heart is an open organ. When someone has the Ross procedure, ...Read more

I have another question about the Ross procedure. Because I have a tissue valve in right now my heart is an open organ. When someone has the Ross procedure, is there heart a closed organ?

Robert Miller I am not sure I understand the question. You having a tissue valve doesn't make the heart "open". The ... Read more

Robert Miller I am not sure I understand the question. You having a tissue valve doesn't make the heart "open". The valve still closes as it should (your old valve probably didn't close properly, which is why you got a replacement valve). And while I am not familiar with the Ross procedure, it is not going to "close your heart". It's just switching valve positions (taking the pulmonary valve, put it where your defective aortic valve is, and then adding a new pulmonary valve). But there is nothing being "closed" except for the leakage.

Vincent Kohne I'm sorry what we meant was, an open heart which means if you have a blood infection it will destroy ... Read more

Vincent Kohne I'm sorry what we meant was, an open heart which means if you have a blood infection it will destroy your heart. If you have a closed organ, a blood infection wouldn't hurt the heart

John Cook If you’re asking if you’ll still be at risk for endocarditis, the answer is ‘yes.’

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Agree with John, the answer is "yes", then we have to take care with infections, taking antibiotics b ... Read more

Fidel Martínez Ruiz Agree with John, the answer is "yes", then we have to take care with infections, taking antibiotics before dental procedures or other with possible bleeding.

Vincent Kohne John, Fidel thanks both of you guys for your answer

Grace Mason The valves used in a Ross procedure, the living pulmonary autograph and a homograph, are less suscept ... Read more

Grace Mason The valves used in a Ross procedure, the living pulmonary autograph and a homograph, are less susceptible to infection than prosthetic valves, but the risk is still there.
Good dental health is as important as taking antibiotics before dental procedures.

Vincent Kohne Grace, thank you for your reply

Robert Miller My cardiologist requested that I take antibiotics before dental procedures, even just for cleaning, d ... Read more

Robert Miller My cardiologist requested that I take antibiotics before dental procedures, even just for cleaning, despite the fact that I had a mitral valve repair (no replacement). Maybe it's not absolutely necessary but I have other heart issues so I suspect he just wants to be on the safe side.

Vincent Kohne Thank you everyone for a nice replies. Why heart valve surgery is scheduled for April 23rd. I will ha ... Read more

Vincent Kohne Thank you everyone for a nice replies. Why heart valve surgery is scheduled for April 23rd. I will have testing on 20th and 21st to see if I could have the Ross procedure. I don't think I will qualify because of my age 71. If not, I'll get another tissue valve through the chest removing the two valve tissue and tarv . I'm preparing for the worst. Hoping for the best.

Vincent Kohne My surgery will be Thursday. I do not qualify for the Ross procedure. I do not need any bypass surger ... Read more

Vincent Kohne My surgery will be Thursday. I do not qualify for the Ross procedure. I do not need any bypass surgery and I'm very happy with everything so far at the Cleveland heart clinic.

Grace Mason You will be in excellent hands Vincent! Wishing you all the best in your upcoming surgery and a smoot ... Read more

Grace Mason You will be in excellent hands Vincent! Wishing you all the best in your upcoming surgery and a smooth recovery 🫶🏼

Vincent Kohne Grace, thank you. Getting ready for my consultation and deciding on the the new tissue valve

Vincent Kohne They couldn't do the Ross. Everything wasn't perfect. I had my surgery yesterday. Bovine tissue valve ... Read more

Vincent Kohne They couldn't do the Ross. Everything wasn't perfect. I had my surgery yesterday. Bovine tissue valve

Grace Mason Congrats! If you are already up to posting you are doing great!

Vincent Kohne My surgery was on Thursday. They told me I'm doing excellent. I can go home in a day or two and I won ... Read more

Vincent Kohne My surgery was on Thursday. They told me I'm doing excellent. I can go home in a day or two and I won't need any therapy. Also, thankfully I do not have any AFib. I did have it for a short time after my first valve replacement

Vincent Kohne I'm home. Came home yesterday I'm tired, sore, and lazy. I have to slowly get my life back together. ... Read more

Vincent Kohne I'm home. Came home yesterday I'm tired, sore, and lazy. I have to slowly get my life back together. I'm thankful for this website that help me through my decision making.

Robert Miller My doctor told me therapy will just slow me down. The therapy team will tell you take it very slow. T ... Read more

Robert Miller My doctor told me therapy will just slow me down. The therapy team will tell you take it very slow. Then they let you gradually increase and say it's because of their training. He said, don't go to therapy. Just know your limits. Take it easy and gradually increase. I am not saying this is for everyone and some people will need the help. Get it. But many feel fine. Just don't feel over confident. Take slow.

Vincent Kohne Robert, thank you for the comment. I was actually told the same thing. I thought for sure they would ... Read more

Vincent Kohne Robert, thank you for the comment. I was actually told the same thing. I thought for sure they would want me to do cardiac rehab.

Vincent Kohne This is the 10th day after my surgery and my taste buds are back 🙂

John Cook Congratulations on getting your tastebuds back.

I did rehab. I used my rehab days to push mys ... Read more

John Cook Congratulations on getting your tastebuds back.

I did rehab. I used my rehab days to push myself harder than I was outside of rehab because I was being watched with a 3-lead EKG on and in a hospital.

Vincent Kohne John, thanks for the reply. Yesterday day 11 I took no pain meds including no Tylenol. I know I took ... Read more

Vincent Kohne John, thanks for the reply. Yesterday day 11 I took no pain meds including no Tylenol. I know I took them longer than I really needed to. I know they help me sleep even though I didn't need them for pain anymore. I've been doing a lot of walking and I'm feeling really good.

John Cook That’s great! I took Tylenol for two months. I never had pain from my sternum, but I did from the ... Read more

John Cook That’s great! I took Tylenol for two months. I never had pain from my sternum, but I did from the connective tissue between my ribs.

stay focused on the good days and keep up the good work.

Vincent Kohne I really don't like taking pain meds. That's just me. My sternum is pretty good. It's still sore from ... Read more

Vincent Kohne I really don't like taking pain meds. That's just me. My sternum is pretty good. It's still sore from the surgery I wouldn't say painful. My upper back on the left side got hurt during the surgery and that's where the pain is. Once my sternum is healed and I can start exercising again. I'm sure everything will heal nicely. It's kind of sucks. I can only walk for exercise but I rather heal everything then to mess it up.

Robert Miller Yes, for sure follow the advise of your surgeon. It's a pain because you feel like you can do a lot m ... Read more

Robert Miller Yes, for sure follow the advise of your surgeon. It's a pain because you feel like you can do a lot more but those bones need to heel. The second time around, I did too much too early putting away all the Christmas stuff including a big box with I think a 7 foot artificial Christmas tree (might be 8 feet). It's a large and not light box and I had to lift it over other boxes when putting it into the shed. Afterwards I heard a crackling from my chest. Thinking about it, maybe that's why I have a bump on one of my ribs which is most likely a wire. Maybe something got misaligned... Could be worse, I guess but still not advisable...

Vincent Kohne Robert, thanks. Yes I'm not doing any lifting. Just walking. I am going to let my my sternum heal. Th ... Read more

Vincent Kohne Robert, thanks. Yes I'm not doing any lifting. Just walking. I am going to let my my sternum heal. This is my second valve replacement through the chest. The one before this was the tavr.

Vincent Kohneposted a journal

61 days ago

Adam Pick, Vincent Kohne, Robert Miller reacted to this

I was wondering how many members/ patients have had the Ross procedure. And how has it worked out for you?

Adam Pick Hi Vincent, Great question. In my personal experience has worked out really well. 20 years after my R ... Read more

Adam Pick Hi Vincent, Great question. In my personal experience has worked out really well. 20 years after my Ross Procedure, I have not required any additional surgery and I am not on any medications. As quality-of-life, I have gone back to doing all the things that I love including Scuba, surfing, skiing, etc. I'll some links below to help you learn more about the Ross.

Adam Pick https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2023/08/22/scuba-dive-catalina-island/

17 Years After Heart Surgery, This Happened...

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/heart-surgery-blog/2023/08/22/scuba-dive-catalina-island/

Go on an underwater Scuba adventure with Adam Pick, heart surgery patient, seventeen years after his operation.

Adam Pick https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9yyO2rs8Bs

Ross Procedure Patient Success Story: Andy Dial

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9yyO2rs8Bs

https://www.Heart-Valve-Surgery.com - Facing open-heart surgery can be a life-changing experience, and for Andy Dial, the decision to undergo the Ross Proced...

Adam Pick https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/ross-procedure-aortic-disease

New Ross Procedure Patient Education Center

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/ross-procedure-aortic-disease

Learn new medical insights, patient experiences, and durability research about the Ross Procedure for aortic valve patients.

Scott Mills I had a Ross / aneurism repair 10 month ago. Just ran 3 k as an afternoon workout, so all good. I’m ... Read more

Scott Mills I had a Ross / aneurism repair 10 month ago. Just ran 3 k as an afternoon workout, so all good. I’m looking forward to my 1 year check in. Happy to answer any questions.

Vincent Kohne It's great to hear that you're doing so good. Where did you have your surgery done at? How old are yo ... Read more

Vincent Kohne It's great to hear that you're doing so good. Where did you have your surgery done at? How old are you.

Adam Pick I had my surgery done at USC by Dr. Vaughn Starnes. I was 33 when I got the Ross. I'm now 54. https:/ ... Read more

Adam Pick I had my surgery done at USC by Dr. Vaughn Starnes. I was 33 when I got the Ross. I'm now 54. https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/surgeons/dr-Vaughn-Starnes-Los+Angeles-California.php

Dr. Vaughn Starnes - Heart Surgeon in Los Angeles, California

https://www.heart-valve-surgery.com/surgeons/dr-Vaughn-Starnes-Los+Angeles-California.php

See patient reviews, physician biography, videos and contact information for Dr. Vaughn Starnes, heart surgeon, in Los Angeles, California.

Grace Mason Ross for me in '23.
Worked out great, I had an awesome team at Mt Sinai in NYC. I think it was th ... Read more

Grace Mason Ross for me in '23.
Worked out great, I had an awesome team at Mt Sinai in NYC. I think it was the best choice for me. I am as active now as before surgery.
I was mostly asymptomatic before surgery other than I had started noticing slight shortness of breath on stairs.

John Cook I’m 53 and 2 weeks away from being 10-months post-Ross. I was asymptomatic before and after recover ... Read more

John Cook I’m 53 and 2 weeks away from being 10-months post-Ross. I was asymptomatic before and after recovery. I’ve done two 5k runs on my treadmill since surgery but I’m 25% slower. I’m assuming it’s the work they did to reduce the dilation of my aortic root diameter and not the valve itself. My heart has a smaller hole to pump out of now and I need to re-strengthen the muscle.

Scott Mills Vincent I’m 53 and had it done in Kitchener, Canada. Like John my exercise performance is off, but ... Read more

Scott Mills Vincent I’m 53 and had it done in Kitchener, Canada. Like John my exercise performance is off, but I suspect it is the beta blockers in still on for a couple more months. They did a repair of my aortic aneurism while they were in there too :)

Vincent Kohne I put this in my journal but I probably should have put it here. Because I have a tissue valve. My he ... Read more

Vincent Kohne I put this in my journal but I probably should have put it here. Because I have a tissue valve. My heart is in open organ. When some has the Ross procedure is their heart a closed organ?

Vincent Kohneposted an update

71 days ago

My third aortic heart valve replacement is coming up 😞

Vincent Kohne I had my first aortic heart valve replaced the shy of my 58th birthday with a bovine tissue valve. It ... Read more

Vincent Kohne I had my first aortic heart valve replaced the shy of my 58th birthday with a bovine tissue valve. It lasted almost 5 years. My second valve replacement was a tavr it lasted over 8 years and now it's failing. I have a tee echo scheduled and two consultations after my my tee echo. Which is scheduled for May 5th. Looking for ideas. What should be my next option? I'm considering going out of state and using a different hospital and surgeon. Does anyone have any suggestions. This is my first posting. I hope I'm doing it right.

Robert Miller Those valves should last longer and you had this happen twice. Besides looking for another hospital/s ... Read more

Robert Miller Those valves should last longer and you had this happen twice. Besides looking for another hospital/surgeon, you probably should look for some other underlaying issues. At your age (71?) you might consider a tissue valve. And if it requires going out of state, for sure do it. You might have to stay at some local place for a while but it is well worth your health.

Valerie Allen Yes you should go to a hospital/surgeon who specializes in re-dos. Cleveland Clinic or Mayo could lik ... Read more

Valerie Allen Yes you should go to a hospital/surgeon who specializes in re-dos. Cleveland Clinic or Mayo could likely help you.

Vincent Kohne Robert, thank you for your reply. I am considering on-x valve Even though I would hate to be a blood ... Read more

Vincent Kohne Robert, thank you for your reply. I am considering on-x valve Even though I would hate to be a blood thinner for the rest of my life.

Vincent Kohne Valerie thank you so much for your reply. I am considering going to an out of state to a heart hospit ... Read more

Vincent Kohne Valerie thank you so much for your reply. I am considering going to an out of state to a heart hospital like you stated

Karen Warren I just had a TAVR ex plant 2 weeks ago via SAVR. It is a fast growing procedure and surgeons are lear ... Read more

Karen Warren I just had a TAVR ex plant 2 weeks ago via SAVR. It is a fast growing procedure and surgeons are learning more each day. I would definitely look for a surgeon who has performed explants. best Wishes.

Vincent Kohne I will be meeting with a tavr surgeon. At this point they do not know if they can do another tavr pro ... Read more

Vincent Kohne I will be meeting with a tavr surgeon. At this point they do not know if they can do another tavr procedure. It depends on what the other valve look like. Thanks for the reply

Karen Warren Unfortunately, I did not qualify for a tavr in tavr. My Tavr valve was a mess and small size was issu ... Read more

Karen Warren Unfortunately, I did not qualify for a tavr in tavr. My Tavr valve was a mess and small size was issue.

Vincent Kohne Karen, I'm sorry to hear that. I fear my valve will be the same.

Rose Madura If I was on my third valve replacement, I would most likely go to Cleveland Clinic as Valerie and Rob ... Read more

Rose Madura If I was on my third valve replacement, I would most likely go to Cleveland Clinic as Valerie and Robert mentioned. Please keep us posted.

Vincent Kohne I did. Just call the Cleveland heart clinic. I signed up for my chart and they will be getting in tou ... Read more

Vincent Kohne I did. Just call the Cleveland heart clinic. I signed up for my chart and they will be getting in touch with me within one or 2 days.

Karen Warren Glad you will be reviewed by Cleveland.

Vincent Kohne Karen, thanks

Vincent Kohne I just received my email from the Cleveland clinic. When I first called the person told me I would be ... Read more

Vincent Kohne I just received my email from the Cleveland clinic. When I first called the person told me I would be receiving an email and I believe a questionnaire. I either never received it or I deleted it. So I called the Cleveland clinic nurse left a message and she just called me back. She did just send me the emails which I was very happy to receive.

Vincent Kohne Finally got done with sending and receiving Cleveland heart clinic information. It took a while and I ... Read more

Vincent Kohne Finally got done with sending and receiving Cleveland heart clinic information. It took a while and I still have more to do upcoming. We've had a lot of snow in Wisconsin last night and early this morning going out to do snow shoveling and snow blowing.

Upcoming Surgeries

Katheleen Luz
Aortic Regurgitation
May 22, 2026

James Beauvais
Aortic Stenosis
May 27, 2026

Markos Barrios
Mitral Regurgitation
May 31, 2026

HOME

ABOUT US

COMMUNITY

LEARNING CENTER

DOCTOR FINDER

HEART HOSPITALS

VIDEOS

ADAM'S BLOG

NEWSLETTER

STORE

CONTACT

JOIN US

SIGN IN

Vincent's Journal

Vincent's Journal

Upcoming Surgeries

Heart Valve Hospitals

Surgeon Spotlight