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Welcome Trudy, I had my ascending aorta and valve replaced 3 years ago. My surgeon specializes in disease of the aorta and he has told me that a CT scan is the gold standard for measuring the ascending aorta (MRI is next best and echo is the least accurate). I get annual checkups and alternate...

The way I understand it is that the old valve is not pushed aside, but that the new valve is placed directly inside of the diseased valve and then secured in place. My surgeon lead the TAVR clinical trials at Duke and strongly believes that within 5 years TAVR will be available for patients with...

Sorry, accidental double post.

I didn't bank blood for either of my surgeries and don't recall needing blood either time. For my first surgery I went in early on the morning of the surgery. I had a cath done a couple of weeks prior and then pre-op testing the day before surgery. For my second surgery I went in the morning...

An echo is much more susceptible to error by the person doing the test. I have said this in several of your posts but I will say it again. My surgeon, who specializes in aortic root and ascending aorta repair, has told me on numerous occasions that a CT scan is the GOLD STANDARD in measuring...

From what I have been able to find on the net, the retail price for 2 echos would cost about the same as one MRI. If your cardio does the echo in his office it might be less expensive than if you have it done at a hospital. Back when I was only getting echos my cardio told me that getting an...

Speakig about the accuracy of testing for measurements, my surgeon told me that the CT scan with contrast is the Gold Standard for accurately measuring aneurysms. I had a Ross Procedure and a couple of years later they discovered that my aortic root was mildly dilated. They measured it with the...

Before I had my surgery to replace my aortic root and ascending aorta I was being watched for 2-3 years. The most accurate way to get a precise measurement on an aneurysm is with a CT scan, followed closely by a cardiac MRI. I had a CT scan about 1 month before surgery and my aortic root was...

When I found this site before my first surgery Ross was the first person that responded to me. This site made going through that time bearable, and in large part due to Ross. Not only was he reassuring during the scariest time in my life, but he also helped me laugh some as well. My condolences...

Hi, I posted this on your other thread before I saw this one. I thought I would post it here in case you don't see it on the other thread. Hi HH, I had my aortic valve, aortic root, and ascending aorta replaced at Duke Medical Center by Dr. G. Chad Hughes. Duke is ranked as the 6th best heart...

Hi HH, I had my aortic valve, aortic root, and ascending aorta replaced at Duke Medical Center by Dr. G. Chad Hughes. Duke is ranked as the 6th best heart hospital in the country and is only about a 2 hour drive from Charlotte (give or take depending on traffic). The link below is Dr. Hughes...

This is simply not true, unless of course you can back that up with specific data. I am impressed by the "loaded" wording of your statement though: "I read". Where did you read? Show us what you read. OK I saw what you read when asked to provide a link. What I read doesn't even remotely...

I just wanted to correct this, they do not use a mechanical valve in a Ross Procedure. They replace your bad aortic valve with your pulmonary valve, and they replace your pulmonary valve with a homograft pulmonary valve (I still have my homograft pulmonary valve and it's going strong). The...

Most "sissy" light beers have 4.2% alcohol, where their "non-sissy" counterparts have 5% alcohol. Not that big of a difference really. These are the amounts for Bud/Bud Light, Miller/Miller Lite, and Coors/Coors Light. http://www.alcoholcontents.com/beer/ I was a heavy drinker around the time...

I had all of mine removed about 8 months after my first surgery under general anesthesia. It was same day surgery, and besides the new incision I was good to go. I had some slight discomfort for a few days but it was worth it not to have the daily pain and aggravation that the wires caused.

Not all patients require a cath, that is something I would discuss with your surgeon and ask him why he doesn't think you need one. I don't know how old you are but most surgeons don't do one on younger patients. I think most if not all surgeons do a TEE right before they start the surgery (you...

Dave, Don't forget Duke either. Duke is one of the top 10 heart hospitals in the country (#6). I don't know enough about Mission in Asheville, but you can't go wrong with either CCF or Duke. I would say the two biggest concerns I would look at between the two are 1) finding the surgeon you are...

Hi maprince, I sent you a PM. What are the odds we both live in the same city, need(ed) the same surgery, at the same hospital, with the same surgeon. You will be in good hands with Dr. Hughes and Duke. They are one of the top 10 heart hospitals in the country. Living 30 minutes from the...

It might seem like almost 2 weeks would be enough time for the body to sort itself out but it takes longer than that. Even if you're not using much pain meds it still takes awhile for the anesthesia and other meds to get out of your system. The belly should be coming back online soon. It took...

canon - I don't think it is wise to be using advice that you read on the internet to make decisions on your own. That is a decision that only your doctor should provide. It is important to walk after surgery...unless your doctor has told you NOT to walk. The thing with the internet is you can...