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‘More and more now the old norm of 5.5 s being replaced with size based on body type and other factors. They did mine at 5.19cm and were waiting for me to get to 5.0. My original cardio actually wanted me to get done at 4.7, but 2 surgeons said wait until 5.

Yeah they basically spread you arched backward to get best access, I did recall some discomfort for a while with shoulders. Then of course with full crack I had some creaky bones on a few occasions as the ribs kind of realigned/adjusted.

while not the best sleep I used a wedge pillow for the first 4-5 weeks to take the load off my sternum, but I had a full crack. It was about 6 weeks before I could lay flat and sleep well.

Yeah they told me mine was clean and I would not likely have clogged arteries for 30 years,and being 58 at that time and haven eaten so bad for so many years. Especially with my father having quad bypass in his late 60s.

Yeah, they will lightly anesthetize you. I vaguely recall watching the monitor as they snakes the tube up my arm and then injected the dye. I was very out of it, but wish I was more alert as it was rather fascinating. They tend to go up via the wrist now and then you lay for 45 min while they...

My cath was done 2 days before surgery, because I went to Cleveland Clinic and they have a great process, well oiled machine. They need to determine if you need bypass or not.

1966, that was the early days of OHS, they probably still were figuring out the standards. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardiac_surgery

‘I agree, I don’t want to harp or impose opinion on anyone as your choice is what is right for you, but I will say this that I my option I wanted the highest odds of once and done. There are enough folks here that have had tissues vale’s in and after a handful of years the valve needs replacing...

Same here, they just clipped mine. Over the first year I had a few minor annoyances where the wires poked me and I felt them, but that was no big deal. I asked about having them taken out and my cardio said same thing, there is always a bleed risk. The downside to leaving them in is any time you...

Good luck. As others have said the day before and morning of are terrifying. If you are in decent health you will, be fine. I was actually pleasantly surprised how it was nowhere near as bad as I had imagined. Do what they tell you, breath deep after surgery do the breathing exercises and warm...

I was pulling up some old bills, and the surgeon billed $36,265 and insurance allowed $9,761.50

Reach out to Cleveland Clinic they will do a free consult if you tell them you may go there. They were fantastic before I even agreed to go there for surgery (although I knew I was going to get it there anyway). My guess is at 53 they will recommend mechanical, although at 58 they suggest tissue...

I hear my On-X from time to time and so does my wife. I have had a few people with sensitive hearing ask what the ticking was from a few feet away. It was weird initially after surgery, but now I don't; even pay attention to it when I do hear it.

I am no DR or medical expert and just like anything else there are improvements made to designs. Do I think the St. Jude is outdated, no. Do I think the On-X is a bit better, yes. If I did not have a choice would I be fine with a St. Jude, yes. To me the subtle improvements we easy decision as...

I few from ATL to Cleveland Clinic in 2019 can not recommend Dr. Unal enough. Roselli is excellent, but tends to be boked out very far in advanced, I only have a 6-8 week wait for Unai and he was amazing. He personally called me at my 12 week CT review. Cleveland Clinic staff was also amazing...

I believe my amount billed was around $250K, but paid was something like $60K, rather said statement on the cost of medical and the need for having insurance coverage.

I got mine in April 2019. I target my INR around 2.5 and use daily 81mg Aspirin. Very happy with valve.

There was a study by On-X that says you can do INR 1.5-2 with low dose aspirin. I was not impressed with their sample size. Historical data shows that an INR of 2.5-3.0 is the sweet spot of the lowest number of events. My surgeon said do 1.5-2.o, but my cardio and I agreed to 2.0-3.0 with low...

Agreed, not saying they are not helpful for some people, but yes DRs are too quick to prescribe certain drugs and never have the conversation about the tradeoffs and how to mitigate them. Generally if you are on a statin you should be taking CoQ10. I do not have or need a statin, but have been...

I always get an Advanced Lipid profile done when I get my semi-annual blood work. I have struggled with my keeping all my lipid numbers ( large and small particle sizes of both good and bad ) for years, I exercise 4 days a week and can’t even get my HDL above 38, but heat when I have my AVR done...