"Dr. Brinkman saved my life. After a CT Heart Scan that showed my ascending aorta was the size of a coke can, Dr. Brinkman made the repair. I can't say enough great things about this surgeon......... He is a very SPECIAL, gifted surgeon and I highly recommend him.
The Heart Hospital Baylor Plano is also a special place. Their nurses that are THE BEST.
I feel 100% and have a new lease on life!"
-- Robert Torti, Aortic Valve, Root Replacement, 01/23/2018
"Everybody I've read anything from or talked to says the same thing, Dr. Brinkman is special, and pretty fantastic. This is an opinion which I, pun intended, whole-heartedly share! He is patient, empathetic, approachable, kind and excellent in his field by all accounts. I would recommend him to my family, if necessary, and would hope to be lucky enough to have him on my side should I ever need any future cardiac surgery. I had an aortic valve replacement and a surgical maze procedure done. It took about four hours and my recovery path seems to be right on target. I found all aspects of my treatment at The Heart Hospital, Plano, TX to be outstanding."
-- Paul Nixon, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, Maze Procedure, 11/14/2017
"What a great Doctor and real person. Had no problems with Dr Brinkman. Good bedside manner. Attentive to each one of his patients. Im so HAPPY with Dr. Brinkman, I wanna give him a HUG!!"
-- donna abraham, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 07/18/2017
"Dr. Brinkman was easy to talk to and answered all my questions. He checked on me the very next day and spoke with my family. I am eight weeks out and recovering very well. Initially I was concerned my shortness of breath was caused by COPD, Dr. Brinkman ordered a PFT and determined my lungs were not in bad shape, which gave me the option for an AVR (bovine tissue valve)
Thanks to Dr. Brinkman and his wonderful stall, I have a new lease on life!"
-- Gary Wiggins, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 06/27/2017
"Dr Brinkman appears to be determined, confident, patience and persistent to get optimal results after my surgery. He visited me at my bedside to evaluate my healing progress. My surgery results was very impressive. I experienced minimal discomfort at night after my surgery and the result was satisfactory."
-- Cyril Doherty, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 04/26/2017
"I am 51 years old and my bicuspid aortic valve replacement surgery was supposed to last 4-6 hours. I also had to have an aneurysm that needed to be repaired. Dr. Brinkman was done in 3 hours. I went in on Feb 2. and was home on Feb 7. I feel great!. I would recommend Dr. Brinkman to anyone that needs a heart valve replacement. He answers all of your questions and concerns and has a great sense of humor. "
-- Rodney Cooper, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Mini Sternotomy, 02/02/2017
"I highly recommend Dr. Brinkman. I had my surgery 2 1/2 months ago and my recovery could not be going better. I have been following Dr. Brinkman's instructions in taking it slow, and in doing cardio rehab. I am truly amazed at how little pain I had during all of my recovery.
Pre and Post Surgery, Dr. Brinkman and his staff were always available to answer any questions, and to put my family at ease with my treatment plan. I am now transitioning back to my cardiologist for ongoing checkups, but Dr. Brinkman stated that his office will always be a resource that I can call on as I have questions, or if there are other needs.
Dr. Brinkman performed my surgery at the Baylor Scott and White Heart Hospital in Plano Tx, and I can not say enough about the staff and the wonderful care that they provided as well. Dr. Brinkman and the Heart Hospital are now both highly recommended by me, and I am so thankful that they were both recommended to me by my cardiologist.
Thank you Dr. Brinkman for all of the years that are still ahead."
-- Doug Armitage, Aortic Valve, Root Replacement, 01/30/2017
"I was at ease with him the moment I met him. Trust was established almost immediately. My research regarding Dr Brinkman stated he was the best in my area. His bedside manner expressed kindness and very interested in the recovery. He saved my life. I love this doctor."
-- Mary Lou Adams, Aortic Valve, Valve Repair, 08/17/2016
"Everything went well. I will be here to celebrate my 80th Birthday in a couple of weeks due to Dr. Brinkman and his team skill and caring support. I am a survivor! Thanks to the Valve Clinic Team I just had my 2 year checkup with flying colors. "
-- Francis Daniels, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Mini Sternotomy, 08/03/2016
"Dr. Brinkman did a fantastic job on my aortic repair, and I am so thankful for his excellent care!"
-- Karen Bessel, Aortic Valve, Median Sternotomy, Root Replacement, David Procedure, 04/14/2015
"If having surgery can be described as wonderful - then I am the one to express just that.
Dr. Brinkman is experienced, professional, and completely trustworthy. His caring "bedside" manner - both in his office, as well as at your actual bedside, is most comforting when facing a procedure that is difficult and delicate. Dr. Brinkman's staff is equally professional and willing to be helpful in any given situation. Whenever I had questions, I was provided answers that I could understand. If I needed a hand to hold to ease my fears, Dr. Brinkman's team was there for me. My surgical procedure was successful. I have had no problems recovering.
If I ever have another procedure that requires the need of an Aortic Specialist, I would not hesitate to call Dr. Brinkman. I can refer him without any reservation or hesitancy. I consider myself fortunate to have had a doctor, who had my life in his hands, be Dr. Brinkman."
-- SALLY WALLS, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 02/18/2015
"Dr. Brinkman was fantastic! Great bedside manners, easy to talk to and I felt his "human" side! I could tell he cared about me and he made me feel 100% confident that I was going to come through this surgery with flying colors and I did thanks to him! I made me feel at ease and there was just this confidence that I had in him! I would recommend him to anyone……he made me 100% again!"
-- Bernard Schraegle, Aortic Valve, Mitral Valve, Valve Repair, Median Sternotomy, 12/17/2014
"I always felt confident in Dr. Brinkman. He came highly recommended by two of my cardiologists. His personal manner is comfortable and easy-going.
I had some health issues that made my healing a higher risk, but I came through it all beautifully and I feel that I am healing well!"
-- Jacquelyn Schafer, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 04/08/2014
"After being turned down by two local surgeons, one of them recommended Dr. Brinkman. I encountered the most professional friendly staff I have ever encountered. The procedure lasted 6.5 hours and included replacement of the aortic valve, repair of the aortic aneurysm and 4 bypasses.
I was out of the hospital in 5 days and released to return to work in 30 days with no restrictions. My employer required an additional Echocardiogram. When the technician pulled it up on the screen, she said, "Wow!" When I asked what was wrong she stated, "Nothing. That is a beautiful valve". When I told her who it was, she said "He sure knows what he is doing. Everything is in place like it should be". To Dr. Wiliam L. Brinkman, YOU ARE THE BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
-- Timothy Montgomery, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 02/13/2014
"Excellent!!! The entire experience has been very positive -- from the beginning through the recovery. I am very glad of the decisions I made regarding my surgeon."
-- Gary Gray, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 12/17/2013
"I can't say enough good things regarding my experience with Dr. Brinkman and his office staff. He made me fell like he cared and was very knowledgeable on the procedure. His office staff was always very pleasant and made me fell like I was in good hands. I highly recommend him."
-- virginia mcrae, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 11/30/2013
"Dr Brinkman was in the hospital during my angiogram. He looked at the pictures and developed a plan for double bypass, aortic valve replacement including root and ascending aorta before I left the hospital from this procedure.
When the operation took place, he also fixed a few other things to stop my atrial fibrillation. He checked on me after surgery twice a day. I was in over Thanksgiving and he was always available. He is a quiet guy but you just know he is awesome. His nurse practitioners who also visit at least once a day are also very knowledgeable and great at explaining all aspects of the surgery and recovery including what all the medications do. "
-- Allen Helms, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, Root Replacement, 11/25/2013
"Dr William Brinkman is very good and well experienced surgeon. He was very friendly with me and he listened very carefully to my questions. I did not notice any single problem with him. Dr. Brinkman is so nice. Thank you very much to him for save my life."
-- jagpal Bhatia, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 11/22/2013
"Dr Brinkman is very professional. His description and opinion on my procedure was frank and detailed. He kept my family informed of my condition during the surgery. Dr Brinkman is friendly and encouraging. The valve replacement was successful and I am recovering nicely."
-- John Hyatt, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 11/12/2013
"Dr. Brinkman spent an additional 5 hours in surgery to repair the valve rather than implant a mechanical valve. My family and I are grateful for his kindness and consideration. He has a central focus on his patient whether at the hospital or at his office. The hospital staff hold him in high regard for his abilities and his kindness. You could not ask for a better surgeon. I am thankful my cardiologist recommended Dr. Brinkman for my procedures."
-- Christopher Rollins, Aortic Valve, Valve Repair, 09/30/2013
"Dr. Brinkman was fabulous! He answered all of my questions pre and post surgery. Dr. Brinkman also repaired an aortic aneurysm. The operation was a complete success. I am expected to make a complete, unrestricted recovery, and return to a normal life.
Dr. Brinkman is kind and caring. After surgery, he stayed with me in the hospital until he was sure that all of my questions were answered, and I was comfortable with the recovery plan."
-- Dennis ODay, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 09/30/2013
"Dr. Brinkman repaired my aortic aneurysm and gave me a new aortic On-X mechanical valve on September 24, 2013 (4 days after my 30th Birthday). I was naturally very nervous about having open heart surgery and had hundreds of questions. Dr. Brinkman was so patient and literally spent hours answering my questions at the appointments before my surgery. He was very considerate to try to meet my needs. Being a younger woman, I was very concerned about how the scar would look. So, he assured me that he would keep the incision as low as possible, which he did. He also had a plastic surgeon close the skin back up to help minimize the scaring. Dr. Brinkman genuinely cares about his patients and is probably the most patient Doctor I have met. I am so thankful for my second chance at life that Dr. Brinkman and modern medicine provided me so that I can live a full life with my husband and 3 year old son. Thank you Dr. Brinkman for saving my life! "
-- Rachel Wright, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, Median Sternotomy, 09/24/2013
"I first met Dr. Brinkman over 4 years ago after discovering I had an aortic root aneurysm. Some of my physician friends referred to the repair as “complex” thoracic surgery, and I was very concerned with both the selection of my surgeon and the facility that would perform the surgery.
After numerous meetings with doctors in three different facilities, I chose Dr. Brinkman for the following reasons:
- His credentials for Aortic valve repair and replacement of the aorta were impeccable and this was backed up by references from physicians that I know personally.
- Dr. Brinkman took the time to review all of my questions and was very realistic and up front with the risks and options available to me.
- Dr. Brinkman coordinated closely with my cardiologist and radiologist every six months to come up with a single consensus view of when surgery was appropriate. He did not push for the surgery prematurely and in the end, he followed my case for 4 years as the aneurism grew worse before recommending surgery.
- His level of confidence and overall optimism is contagious and helps with any patient facing something this serious.
- He is old enough to have experience and young enough to have the stamina for a lengthy fight to save a patient.
The procedure went very well and his entire team was a pleasure to work with; Dr. Brinkman’s follow up with myself and my family has been excellent.
I would not consider a surgeon or facility that did not handle this type of condition at least once a week and was fortunate to have a world class facility like Baylor Heart Hospital in Plano so close to home. The value of a local facility was demonstrated several weeks following my discharge when I had a minor complication and needed to return to the ER.
By the time I arrived, the staff was fully aware of my condition and had access to all of my medical records and was in direct contact with my physicians. This cannot be discounted if considering travel to a distant location for a complex procedure where you will be completing your recovery back home.
To anyone facing this type of repair all I can say is please don’t wait until it is too late to get it fixed. It is hard to submit to something like this when you have no external symptoms but at some point you have to take the risk of surgery over waiting until it was too late. Dr. Brinkman can be trusted to help determine when the time is right and to do the procedure with great skill and care.
It has been just over 5 months post-surgery for me now and I have fully recovered. I am writing this referral letter from an airplane where I loaded my own luggage in the overhead compartment. The cloud that descended on me and my family with the realization I had this serious condition has now lifted and I am keeping up with my work/travel requirements again as if it was nothing more than a distant memory. Thank you Dr. Brinkman!"
-- Jeffrey Gullo, Aortic Valve, Valve Repair, Root Replacement, 07/16/2013
"This doctor is amazing. His bedside manner was so great and sweet. Dr. Brinkman has such compassion. He cares about his surgery. He cares about what your going to look like when he is done and he makes sure he does everything right. And, he is very handsome too. I would and have recommended this surgeon to everyone I meet. I feel I would have done them an injustice if I didn't recommend the best man for the job at hand. "
-- Rebecca Dutcher, Aortic Valve, Valve Replacement, 03/07/2013
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