AVR Surgery approaching

[Rick W]

I met with my cardiologist last week and after a quick echocardiogram he found the aortic valve area to be approximatley 0.55-0.60 cm2. I am meeting with a surgeon on Friday, November 4th. I knew the time for surgery would come someday, but it is none the easier to admit when it does. I have no idea how soon he will want to do the surgery, but I would like to avoid a "holiday"surgery and recovery if at all possible. I have so many more questions for the surgeon so I'm making a list to take with me. Well, I guess the best thing to do is not worry too much. I want to make my wishes known that I would like a tissue valve, namely an Edwards pericardial Magna.
For the past five years I have had time to wrestle with the decision of valve type to go with and at 59 years old I think this will be the right choice.

Rick

 

[rbl1999]

Hi, Rick, I am the exact same age and just had Aorta Valve Replacement in July with the same tissue valve you are considering. I also felt it was the right choice for me and my cardiologist and surgeon both agreed. So far so Good!!!! I had an echo a month ago and the valve is working great.. All the best to you and please keep us updated.. Rose

 

[Curtsmum]

Best of luck, hope you get your choice.

 

[Ross]

Best of luck, hope you get your choice.

Yeah really, it sucks when you've made up your mind, but once they are in, find out they can't use it and you get something else. Now that's frustration!

 

[bvdr]

I well remember the feeling when the reality of impending OHS hits. I was glad and sad at the same time.

I hope the last five years has helped you prepare for this and that you are able to receive the valve you have researched and decided upon. Everyone seems to have a glitch or two during the process of surgery and recovery and I hope yours are small.

 

[LLJ]

Dont worry, most doctors don't want to operate any where near the holidays unless they have to. I've worked in hospitals for a long time and I can tell you lots of experienced nursing and P.A. professionals like to take time off on the holidays,so the surgeons don't like to schedule people who can wait a couple months until afterwards. (They don't like their handywork endangered) I found out about my suddenly(not really considering I knew about my problem since birth) impending surgery right about now also. I had my Jan 5. Gives you lots of time to put things in order,get that recliner for after surgery and freeze thoses microwavable meals!
Laura

 

[tobagotwo]

If your valve opening is .55 - .6 CM², it is likely that he will bring you in the next week. I'm not sure why he is waiting until Nov. 4th to talk to you. You may well have your surgery taken care of weeks before the holidays.

It will be a great holiday gift to yourself and your family to have you feeling healthy again. Not that it matters, but I fully agree with your choice.

Best wishes,

 

[joanne6]

Just wanted to add my support. I knew I had Mitral Valve Prolapse most of my life and never thought I would need surgery. I found out "suddenly" in July and was told I could put it off a couple of months. My personality couldn't handle that so I went ahead and had surgery in August.
I hope you are able to schedule your surgery after the holidays if that is what you want and you are feeling OK.
Good Luck.
Joanne

 

[epstns]

Hey, Rick,

I'm just about a year younger than you, and waiting for aortic valve replacement (when it is ripe. . . ). Currently at about 1 sq cm opening and watching. I hope you are able to get the valve you want, and when you want to do it.

Your doc may be waiting a short while (til Nov 4) if you aren't showing symptoms -- they sometimes feel that the development of symptoms is a better barometer than pure numbers. Some of us do quite well with greatly restricted valve openings, others do not. Many of the cardio's feel that the risk to the patient does not begin to rise until symptoms are noted. Hope that's what it is in your case.

Wishing you well, all through your journey. Please stop back at The Waiting Room and let us know how the trip goes.

 

[Phyllis]

Looking forward to hearing how your surgeon's appt. goes- you have made a good valve choice- Dick is very happy with his!

 

[Cris N]

I wish you well with your appt. I do hope that you'll be able to schedule your surgery when you want it, but if that doesn't work out, keep in mind that things work a certain way for a reason - just that we don't necessarily know what it is! Best of luck & keep us posted.

Cris

 

[Rick W]

Hi, Rick, I am the exact same age and just had Aorta Valve Replacement in July with the same tissue valve you are considering. I also felt it was the right choice for me and my cardiologist and surgeon both agreed. So far so Good!!!! I had an echo a month ago and the valve is working great.. All the best to you and please keep us updated.. Rose

Thank you Rose for your input, and to everyone else who replied. It's good to hear positive feedback about things that others have already gone through. I will keep you posted.

Rick

 

[Mary]

Let us know what the surgeon says on the 4th.

 

[RandyL]

I met with my cardiologist last week and after a quick echocardiogram he found the aortic valve area to be approximatley 0.55-0.60 cm2. I am meeting with a surgeon on Friday, November 4th. I knew the time for surgery would come someday, but it is none the easier to admit when it does. I have no idea how soon he will want to do the surgery, but I would like to avoid a "holiday"surgery and recovery if at all possible. I have so many more questions for the surgeon so I'm making a list to take with me. Well, I guess the best thing to do is not worry too much. I want to make my wishes known that I would like a tissue valve, namely an Edwards pericardial Magna.
For the past five years I have had time to wrestle with the decision of valve type to go with and at 59 years old I think this will be the right choice.

Rick

Looks like your wait is over. Congrats!
What made you chose the tissue valve over the mechanical?
And what made you decide on the Edwards pericardias magna valve?
I know they are personal questions but I am trying to decide what to do and I am 54, close to your age and have the same problem you have.
Thans

 

[Rick W]

Looks like your wait is over. Congrats!
What made you chose the tissue valve over the mechanical?
And what made you decide on the Edwards pericardias magna valve?
I know they are personal questions but I am trying to decide what to do and I am 54, close to your age and have the same problem you have.
Thans

Hi Randy
Actually I had met this surgeon over two years ago when I was looking at a number of them. He had then suggested the bovine valve to me at that time. It is even more the correct valve choice now as I am near the 60 years of age or older recommendation. Also I am wanting to be free of anticoagulants certainly and this valve will give me 15-20 years of that. Additionally, I contacted Edwards Life Sciences right here in my own backyard and they were helpful. Hope I have answered your question.

Rick
Rick

 

[BDMc]

Good Luck !

Good Luck !

Rick, Hope all goes well! I have a friend with a bovine valve, and he seems to be doing very well. I'll be thinking of you! All the best, Brian