Anyone had 3 valves replaced at one time???

[carolrai]

Hi everyone! I am new to this site. I heard about it from ACHA. I am scheduled to have surgery next month at Mayo. My last surgery was done here in Chicago about 11 years ago. This will be my 4th open heart. I have been feeling lousy for the last couple years, with the last 6 months being even worse. My doc here kept giving me the run-aroundmad: ) and when I finally got up to Mayo, I found out my EF had dropped to 35% from 55%, my pulmonary conduit is badly stenosed, the pulmoic valve is leaking severely,my mitral is leaking severly(enough to cause my liver to enlarge) and my tricuspid is leaking severely. I had some idea about the conduit stenosis and tricuspid valve,but not about the rest. I have heard people here and elsewhere talk about having 2 valves replaced at one time, but never 3 plus replacing the conduit. If I dont do the surgery,I will lose the window in which they can do it, and will end up needing transplant. I am going forward with the surgery at the end of February, but, if my ventricle can't handle the pressure after the new tricuspid valve is in, they say the EF might get worse and I would still end up needing a transplant. Anyone out there with anything similar? I am really getting nervous about this and I know if anybody could understand, I will find them here! Thanks....

 

[geebee]

Carol,

I would like to welcome you although I can't really help with answering your concerns. You certainly have a big surgery ahead and I wish you all the best for a successful surgery.

I will add you to my prayers.

 

[Bradley White]

Hi,

Sorry I cannot relate to your situation -- most valves I have had replaced at a time is 2. But I want to tell you that you will be in great hands at Mayo. I have nothing negative to say about my experience there. Do you know who your surgeon will be?

Brad

 

[carolrai]

My cardiologist is Dr.Warnes and the surgeon is Dr. Dearani.My visit in the beginning of January up there (for testing,cath, etc..) was the first time i met either of them. I really like both of them and have alot of trust in them and their decisions.
Thanks for all the good thoughts!

 

[Karlynn]

Welcome Carol! I don't know of anyone here who's had 3 done at one time. Interestingly enough, when I was up at Mayo about 20 years ago (trying to find a solution to my arrhythmia issues) there was a woman there who was having all 4 valves replaced. So apparently Mayo has had experience with multiple valve replacements for a quite a while. Mayo is a great place to go and I know they'll take good care of you. Sounds like your cardio falls into the typical stereotype of being very conservative in recommending surgery.

Make yourself at home. We are one big happy family.

 

[Cynaburst]

Hi - I didn't have a valve replacement .... I had a septal myectomy for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy (also OHS). However, I wanted to tell you that I had it done at Mayo in August by Joe Dearani and he is the best. I couldn't speak highly enough about Dr. Dearani and his team, as well as everyone at Mayo.

I know several other people who have also been reworked by Dr. Dearani, and I have never heard anything but raves. If you have to have a difficult procedure, he is your guy.

Good luck.

 

[Bradley White]

As you can see in my signature I also had my recent surgery done by Dr. Dearani at Mayo. There is no one who I would trust more to do a complex procedure like yours than Dearani. He really is the best. My old cardiologist in Tampa said he thought that Dearani was the best heart valve surgeon in the world. You are in good hands.

Brad

 

[carolrai]

It is so reassuring to hear such good things about Dr. Dearani. He seemed very confident. As I mentioned before, this is my first surgery at mayo. After your discharged from the hospital, do you get to go right back home?

 

[Bradley White]

Hi Carol,

I had my surgery on a Thursday. I was discharged Tuesday morning and was on a plane back home Wednesday (6 days post-op). I decided to spend one night in the hotel just to get up some energy for the flight, but they said that I was ready for travel after they dismissed me.

I think also it depends on how the surgery goes. If it is smooth and everything is going well then they won't want you to stay in Rochester, but if things don't go perfectly they might want you to stay for a few days so they can see you again after you are dismissed.

I assume since you are from Minnesoto you will be driving. That should actually be less stressful than flying. You just have to remember to get out of the car, walk around, and stretch your legs every couple hours.

Brad

 

[Cynaburst]

I had surgery on a Friday and was discharged 4 days later on Tuesday. I stayed across the street from St. Mary's at the Staybridge Suites from Tues. until Saturday morning, and flew home on Saturday, 8 days after surgery. I live in Los Angeles, and wanted to make sure that I was ok before traveling. I also saw Dr. D. and my cardiologist there on Friday before flying home on Saturday. I also did not feel that it was worth it to pay the extra money to change my tickets, and was very comfortable in the hotel.

I actually wrote a blog of my experiences at Mayo if you are interested. The link is:

http://www.cynthiassummeradventure.blogspot.com/

The blog hasn't been updated lately, and my operation was a bit different, but it might help to give you an idea of what to expect.

Feel free to write me directly with any questions. There is a link to my e-mail on the blog.

 

[SusanC54]

Hi carolrai
I had 2 valves replaced 9 months ago at Mayo Clinic and I also happen to live in Rochester. Dr. Dearani did not do my surgery. Mine was done by Dr. Mullany who did a superb job. The whole process went incredibly smoothly for me. If you have any questions about Mayo Clinic or Rochester or want a visitor while you are in Rochester, I am very willing to help you out. You can PM me or reply to me on this thread. I look forward to hearing from you!

Susan