"Outstanding experience from initial consult with review of options (with choice of minimally invasive right thoracotomy), pre-surgery prep, the surgery, in-hospital recovery and care, and post-surgical follow-up.
Dr. Caffarelli spent a great deal of time with us to review the test results and treatment options. His entire team was skilled, professional and compassionate. On a scale of 1 to 5 - Dr. Caffarelli and team earned a 6!
We are truly grateful to have chosen Dr. Caffarelli and his team for this procedure. We met with other surgeons and are so pleased with our choice of Dr. Caffarelli."
-- Jonathan Maples, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 09/28/2022
"My surgeon, Doctor Caffarelli, met me in the Hoag Memorial Emergency Room while I was still conscious. He is compassionate as well as highly qualified. He accepted me as a patient needing emergency care. His team approach was impressive; he did not take short-cuts. He repaired two heart valves, performed a bypass procedure and included ablation in a six hour surgery.
He comes highly recommended by my cardiologist and by all of the staff that provided services under his guidance. It's been six months and I am on the road to recovery. Dr. Caffarelli's bedside manner is to be commended. He demonstrated a professional and caring attitude which was very helpful.
He kept my family informed of the procedures and results. My surgery was unplanned and I am grateful to be Dr. Caffarelli's patient."
-- Gary Maxwell, Mitral Valve, Tricuspid Valve, Valve Repair, Maze Procedure, 07/27/2022
"Dr. Anthony Caffarelli is a wonderful doctor, very skillful surgeon, I have all the confidence in him. On my first meeting with him I was so nervous, I wrote a list of questions to ask him. At this preop visit he was so thorough in explaining everything that I needed to know, covering every aspect of my mitral valve problem and the surgery including what to expect in preop and postoperative.
At the end of this meeting I had no questions to ask him. He covered everything, I was less nervous, I felt at ease and I felt a lot of confidence in him. After my surgery I felt good sitting out of bed, walking with very little pain. On day three I was able to walk on my own 3-4 rounds around the surgical floor. Upon discharge I was able to walk to my front door without assistance.
My recovery was excellent, on my first postoperative visit with Dr. Caffarelli I was so happy I was almost in tears thanking him for a job well done. I continued to improve, lots of trips to movie theatre this time climbing stairs without breathlessness, dancing, lots of walking and doing cardiac rehab. This is my 10th week I am only 71 years old and I am ready to party, thank you Dr. Caffarelli you really make it happen. He is indeed a skillful and conscientious surgeon with excellent bedside manners. "
-- Christina Lim, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Mini Sternotomy, 06/15/2022
"Dr. Caffarelli has an explicit bedside manner and thoroughly explains in detail the causes, effects, surgery, post surgery and ongoing treatment for the procedure he is performing. He also listened to me addressing my questions and concerns in detail. His follow up is equally detailed and thoughtful. I would highly recommend (and have) Dr. Caffarelli to anyone with any type of heart issues."
-- Joe K Dean, Mitral Valve, Tricuspid Valve, Valve Repair, 06/01/2022
"Dr. Caffarelli understands what Aortic valve Replacement and "Redo" surgery is all about. He is very experienced and has a full grasp of all aspects of the procedure unlike any other surgeon I have ever met. After extensive research regarding the upcoming surgery, I found that he was hands-down, best choice for me. His before and after bedside manner and most importantly, the confidence he and his entire team bring to the process create a "best case scenario" for anyone seeking the best possible result.
Dr. Caffarelli and his team proceed with an eye to the future as well and consider how to progress with future needs as they may arise. Thinking ahead is key for patients who might need adjustments in the years ahead. I have never experienced a better surgical team, and I know some very good ones. If and when the time comes, I will stick with Dr. Caffarelli."
-- Ric Johnson, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Root Replacement, 05/26/2022
"Dr. Caffarelli spent over two hours with my wife and myself describing this issues and the procedures to fix them. Great bedside manner, very down to earth and energetic."
-- Barry Katz, Aortic Valve, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Root Replacement, 05/16/2022
"My experience was great. Had Sepsis which lead to open heart surgery. There was never any pain or bad stuff. Opened my chest to do the surgery. I felt really confident with Dr. Caffarelli so everything was easy and never scary. All the pre testing was so complete that there was no guess work. I feel perfect now."
-- Linda Ewing, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, 04/15/2022
"I really can't say enough good things about Dr. Caffarelli!! He did an awesome job on my heart, and was most helpful getting my surgery scheduled in spite of many road blocks in the way!! Great Doctor and really nice man!! I highly recommend him!!"
-- Elaine Noble, Aortic Valve, Mitral Valve, Tricuspid Valve, Valve Replacement, 04/14/2022
"Dr. Caffarelli explained my valve issues which I had no symptoms for. Described planned surgery. Performed surgery on schedule. Visited me after surgery and prior to discharge. Excellent results. Two follow-up appointments. Director of Hoag Cardiac Surgery. Highly recommended.
"
-- Thomas Conklin, Aortic Valve, Mitral Valve, Tricuspid Valve, Valve Repair, Transcatheter, 03/28/2022
"I cannot say enough good things about Dr. Caffarelli and his staff! He explained everything and made me feel secure with him at the helm. I was never in any pain and even felt pretty good soon after surgery. The surgery was a total success. I had the surgery 5 months ago and am working out every morning and walking in the evening. Feeling great!! Dr. Caffarelli is my hero!"
-- Sherri Lewison, Aortic Valve, Mitral Valve, Tricuspid Valve, Valve Repair, Valve Replacement, Maze Procedure, 03/03/2022
"I can't say enough about Dr. Caffarelli and his team at Hoag. After our first meeting, I knew he would do what was best for me. I went into surgery thinking I would likely have my aortic valve replaced but he ended up being able to repair it. The quality of care from his surgical team and nurses was outstanding. He has great bedside manner as well!"
-- Kristen Benedict, Aortic Valve, Valve Repair, 12/03/2021
"I could not have had a better experience. Dr. Caffarelli explained in detail what was wrong with the valve, the procedure to repair it, the challenges they might run into, and the recovery process. I felt very prepared going into the surgery knowing I had Dr. Caffarelli and his team. There were no surprises! They were always available to answer any questions I had before and after the surgery. His team had a recovery plan to follow with weekly goals set for me.
One of the most valuable things he told me was to keep a journal after the surgery to track my progress. He said this would prevent the possibility of cardiac depression. I couldn't agree more! It was easy to look back and see how much progress I had made. I knew exactly what I had done each day and would use that to further fuel my motivation to recover sooner than expected. And I did!
I strongly recommend Dr. Caffarelli and Hoag Hospital for any type of heart surgery. They are the best of the best!"
-- Nancy Fletcher, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, 08/16/2021
"From our initial meeting to pre-op to post-op, Dr. Caffarelli was calming, clear, compassionate, reassuring and a great listener.
He even spoke with my 90-year old parents across the country when surgery was complete!
I was prepared and calm going into surgery and I'm now 4 weeks on my road to recovery. I can't thank Dr. Caffarelli and the Hoag team enough!"
-- Gregg Kent, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, 07/14/2021
"Dr. Caffarelli thought I might need the valve replaced after reviewing the original echocardiogram. I have cardiomyopathy which is the thickening of the heart wall. Dr. Caffarelli cut 2.5cm x 3.5cm out of the heart muscle. With this repair, the valve returned to normal operation.
Before surgery... For the last 7 years, I have been unable to run, walk stairs, exercise or walk on an incline (ramps, hills). After this surgery, I am restored to full ability to take stairs at will, walk hills and only 148 days out of surgery I just completed a 5K walk.
I owe all of this "new life" and restored functionality to the ultra-professional surgical treatment by Dr. Caffarelli. It began with the pre-surgical treatment and the professional testing and pre-surgical preparation to the treatment by his team in the hospital and now in the after-care phase.
He is a blessing and I am incredibly thankful to Dr. Caffarelli and his team for the restoration of "better than ever" abilities I am now able to experience. Thanks!!!!"
-- Bruce Newmark, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, 06/22/2021
"When I learned about my need for aortic root repair and ascending aorta replacement, I was apprehensive to say the least. I had consulted with a surgeon from another medical group and was given few, straight answers and only about five minutes of his time, where he simply shrugged his shoulders and told me he simply didn't know.
Changing medical groups so that I could instead have my surgery done at Hoag with Dr. Anthony Caffarelli was the best thing I could have ever done. I cannot express how thankful I am to have Dr. Caffarelli on my medical team, and just how much time he spent reassuring me and explaining to me the ins and outs of my upcoming surgery. He gave me all the time I needed and more, answering my every question and explaining in great detail what needed to be done. His calm and confident demeanor, as I came to learn, was not unfounded. He had successfully performed my procedure countless times where the surgeon in my previous medical group had only done a few aortic root with ascending aorta replacements, often with suboptimal results.
I can only say the batting average is certainly not equal from one surgeon to the next and I am so, so glad I had Dr. Caffarelli to go to bat for me. The results of my surgery were simply astounding, everything from the incredibly small scar to how quickly I was able to resume my extremely active lifestyle blew me and my entire medical team away. Dr Caffarelli was by my side, reassuring me every step of the way, throughout my recovery just as much as before the procedure.
I have never had any medical professional dedicate so much of their time to me. Thank you, Dr. Caffarelli, I will never be able to express in words how thankful I am for what you have done for me.
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-- Benjamin Shackelford, Aortic Valve, Root Replacement, 05/24/2021
"At the heart consultation with Doctor Caffarelli, Barb (my wife) and I were impressed. He 'checked off' all of the traits that I was looking for in a heart surgeon - reputation, skill, knowledge, heavy work load, personality, trained and courteous staff, etc.
I was surprised that during our talk I felt confident. Of course, I had confidence in Doctor Caffarelli, but I found self-confidence. I suddenly knew that with the Lord's help, my family’s support, and Doctor Caffarelli team at Hoag Hospital, my open heart surgery would end-up being just a "bump in the road".
As a lot of patients in the HeartValveSurgery.com community do, I took advantage of the educational information that Adam provides. This information enables us to understand the process. In my case, this website gave me enough information to ask the doctor to consider a suggestion for my surgery. Doctor Caffarelli listened to me and took my suggestion into consideration. I felt so involved.
The bottom line is that when I entered the consultation room, I had anxiety. When I left that room, just 20-30 minutes later, my anxiety was gone and NEVER CAME BACK.
Thanks to Dr. Caffarelli, I had a successful operation and recovery."
-- Tom Everson, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, 08/19/2020
"Dr. Caffarelli is wonderful. He explained the entire process thoroughly, and kept in touch. He stopped by before the surgery to ask me if I had questions, etc. He stopped by after surgery and wanted to make sure that I understood my new life, etc.
He was especially kind and professional with my family members. He gives credit to his team as well. He surrounds himself with the best of the best. I felt completely at ease with him for my surgery."
-- Carol Beebe, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 01/16/2020
"Dr. Caffarelli replaced my bicuspid aortic valve with an Edwards Inspiris Resilia valve. He also replaced an aortic aneurysm. 3 hour surgery. No complications. In hospital for 5 days. Back to skiing and hiking. Known for short surgery times. Ex Marine. I highly recommend Dr. Caffarelli! ❤️"
-- Randall Johnson, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, 10/24/2019
"Dr. Caffarelli was very thorough. Warm, personable and clear in his explanation. His team is awesome. Nurses and physicians assistants are meticulous."
-- Jaime Schvartzman, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, 11/29/2018
"Dr. Caffarelli is one of the best surgeons in his field. I feel fortunate to have undergone my surgery under his able hands, with eternal gratitude from me and my family."
-- David Raphael, Aortic Valve, Valve Repair, 10/02/2016
"Dr. Anthony Caffarelli fully explained the process. He has a great bedside manner. I highly recommend him."
-- Robert Robison, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, Root Replacement, 10/11/2012
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