Anyone in Arizona with good surgeon?

[Jewel]

While my cardiologist has labeled me severe aortic stenosis (calcifying of a genetic bicuspid valve) she has also said the flutterings, weakness/fatigue, occassional pains, etc. are not a cause for concern. After reading many of your stories on this site I would feel much better actually taking a few more tests with a surgeon to define "concern". While it sure looks like the Cleveland Clinic is worth looking into, I would still need a surgeon here in AZ - any ideas, thoughts?

 

[Ross]

http://www.azumc.com/UMC/default.cfm

http://www.umcarizona.org/UMC/body.cfm?id=27&action=list

Karen Jamison or Lisa Williams

 

[Jewel]

University Medical Center Tucson, AZ

University Medical Center Tucson, AZ

Thanks Ross- While I know of UMC for heart transplants/mechanical hearts -I have not heard much/found much about them for valvular surgery. At least that would be closer & limit travel.

 

[Ross]

That is their main speciality, but what better place then where they do transplants all the time? If they don't know how to do valves, no one does.

 

[Bionic Valve Tim]

While my cardiologist has labeled me severe aortic stenosis (calcifying of a genetic bicuspid valve) she has also said the flutterings, weakness/fatigue, occassional pains, etc. are not a cause for concern. After reading many of your stories on this site I would feel much better actually taking a few more tests with a surgeon to define "concern". While it sure looks like the Cleveland Clinic is worth looking into, I would still need a surgeon here in AZ - any ideas, thoughts?

I was and am thrilled with my surgeon, Dr. Herman Pang. My operation was at John C. Lincoln Deer Valley (in Phoenix at I-17 and Loop 101) but he also has an office in Scottsdale.

Dr. Pang handled my aortic valve replacement and my pacemaker implantation. I heard good "word of mouth" reviews on him, and I'd be very uncomfortable letting anyone else touch my ticker now

A former co-worker of mine had heart surgery down at the University of Arizona hospital in Tucson, which (as I understand it) is considered a top hospital for heart-related surgery. ****EDIT: This is UMC that Ross referred to

Does your cardiologist have a surgeon s/he recommends? Have you gotten a 2nd opinion from another cardio?

Good luck and let us know how things pan out...

Tim

 

[Jewel]

ok - I change my question to how do I get into 2nd cardio

ok - I change my question to how do I get into 2nd cardio

Thanks Tim - I appreciate the positive comments and will check out to see if he is on my insurance. I have been to my cardiologist 4 times in the last 3 months and can't get anything more than 1 ultrasound done (my regular 6 month which shows more calcificiation on the valve and they upgraded me to "severe" stenosis) - at first I was thinking I was overly anxious........but I know something is wrong and I went back last week to ask for more tests - xray, stress echo, cath procedures - anything else. As I could not get into cardio for 2 months the NP saw me and again said 'stress' /no biggie. So how do I get into a different cardiologist for a 2nd opinion in something under 2 months?? Someone who will do some additional testing and take me seriously? I figured it's the surgeon who does the cath procedures etc. so I might as well start there -

 

[Bionic Valve Tim]

I'm sure others will chime in here with better advice than I'm qualified to give. I would guess that some of these decisions are insurance issues. I have BCBS of Arizona, and they just give me a list of providers--I don't need referrals or anything, so if I want a 2nd opinion, I just go to another person on the list. Pretty painless, actually.

In my case, my cardiologist did all of the tests, including the heart cath. In fact, I didn't meet the surgeon until after my cath. My cardiologist wanted to verify everything with the cath before sending me to the surgeon. Again, on my insurance plan, I could have seen the surgeon sooner if I had wished.

My cardiologist is Myron Licht, also near Lincoln-Deer Valley Hospital. Again, heard a few good things about him and felt very comfortable with him after I met him. He works pretty closely with Dr. Pang (the surgeon), which I liked. Lincoln-Deer Valley is a smaller hospital (pre-renovation, at least!) and the doctors seems to know each other, which made me feel better for some reason.

Maybe more people will jump in with recommendations for Arizona. A second opinion is always a good idea, especially if you don't feel your first opinion got to the bottom of things.

Are you in the Phoenix area?

Tim

 

[Missy]

I had my mitral valve replacement done at TMC in Tucson. I had fantastic treatment and would do it again if needed although there is a really nice heart hospital in Tucson now.