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If it's any consolation, my cardiologist felt that while they are still people with heart disease, a post-op patient shouldn't have increased risk.

I happened to see my cardiologist today. I am asymptomatic and was planning on getting the surgery but we agreed that I may want to wait out the virus for a month or two, assuming I continue being asymptomatic. She seemed most concerned at what could turn out to be a shortage of hospital beds...

The same three were recommended to me! We must be on the right track.

Man, you guys are so much more prepared than here in the U.S. Thursday, while getting my echo, I asked the technician how she was doing with not touching her face. She alluded to the fact that these things always come up during a presidential election year. Every time there's an election she...

Question for you, Odie, given that you just recently were the beneficiary of Dr. Dewan's wonderful skills. Did you have any second thoughts of his ability due to his age, which I believe is 65? His reputation in Austin appears unparalleled. I only met with him once, about a year ago and was...

We met with Dr. Kerendi and liked him very much. He's younger than Dr. Dewan who I believe is 65 years old, so I will most likely use Kerendi for my tissue replacement one day. Who were the 3 surgeons first recommended to you?

Odie, also, do you know if Heart Hospital offers cardiac rehab in their facility? I live nearby and so it would be quite convenient.

Hi Odie, I believe I'm about to go down this path and Dewan @ Heart Hospital is my choice. Did you go with tissue or mechanical? Did he offer his opinion on one or the other? When was your surgery?

I'm in Austin and my cardiologist recommended Dewan, Kerendi or Felger. I met with both Dewan and Kerendi and have decided on Dewan after hearing many recommendations. I haven't had the surgery yet but will most likely have it in the coming months. Happy to compare notes. Who was recommended to you?

I'm planning on going with a tissue valve. I won't be a candidate for TAVR as I also have an aneurysm. This is one of the reasons I've tried to delay surgery while being asymptomatic. I buy my insurance on the marketplace so the out of pocket will be steep, but I fear the political climate...

What a great story. My appointment is a week from today and those are my thoughts exactly. I’m tired of being in the waiting room. It’s insidious.

Great points. I'm retired and buy my insurance on the individual ACA marketplace. Given our political climate there's no telling if they'll take away pre-existing conditions/out of pocket max/lifetime limits one day. I suppose in this case, now that I've wrapped my head around it, it's better to...

Having more control and the possibility of not letting progress to this point is what is finally driving me to 'give in' and get it done. May I ask if you were in Severe Stenosis at the time? Had you been asymptomatic up to that day? How long were you in the Severe category? Thank you for...

How long ago did you have the surgery, Annie?

And I don't expect them to be any better at my next echo in March. Thus, I'm starting to wrap my head around starting down the path of surgery.

Ah ok. I'm in severe based on Peak Velocity (4.33 m/s) and Mean Gradient (46 mmHG). Valve area was never discussed with me although as near as I can tell, my last report showed .67 cm2. Ejection fraction 65-70%. I'm guessing these numbers are worse than what you were looking at?

Were you in the category of Severe Stenosis? And did your annual echos show worsening/progression?

One advantage to getting it done now is that it's in our control rather than awaiting for some random series of symptoms. I'm quite torn. Additionally, here in the US, you always wonder if access to healthcare will be available if you wait another year. We're retired but not old enough for...

This is an interesting take as I'm currently being watched and asymptomatic. I'm in severe stenosis category and surgeon said I could do it now or wait for them to 'twist my arm,' meaning until they see tests indicating worsening. It's been about a year and a half and I go for my next (4th one)...

Just curious, why do you say you probably had surgery too early?