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jjputz
Two days ago I went to the Cleveland clinic for Post operative instructions; CT scan, Chest X-ray and blood work in preparation for a Aortic valve transplant. I went in today to talk to the surgeon at the Cleveland clinic and now I?m kind of confused and could use some advice from the group.
I?m a 44 year old male with a bicuspid valve (scarred and calcified) with aortic insufficiency.
I?m sure the surgeon was busy today I had to wait 4 hours to see him. He walked into the room and asked me why I was there today. I told him I thought I needed a new AVR and asked him if he saw my chart ? and what the test results were from 2 days before.
Previously when I went there the report stated my Aorta was 5 cm or larger. The surgeon told me the CT scan showed that the Aorta was only 46 mm which is borderline for Open heart surgery. He said that the opening was to large for a Perimount Magna valve which I wanted. He said he could put a Dacron or velour tube in but that it would be hard to replace down the road at my age ? He suggested a Homograft and said when the valve wore out it would be easier to replace. ? Which sounded find to me because I didn?t want to take Coumadin.
But then he said it really didn?t have to be replaced right now but he could do it if I wanted him to. This confused me because two cardiologists from different clinics said it had to be replaced and the surgery was scheduled for Jan 17th.
I was scheduled off from work, Hotel reservations for my family, my sisters flying in from Fla. I mean I was all ready for it.
He told me that other surgeons would say to have it replaced now but he said he says he takes a less aggressive stance and thinks I should wait until it?s necessary.
He said I only had a 3+ aortic insufficiency and that I only had around a 1% chance for an aneurysm I had no signs of heart enlargement and no clogged arteries. He said I should come back in 6 months for another CT scan to make sure things don?t get worst.
He said I could play tennis, swim, walk and run but not lift anything heavy but I shouldn?t lift more then 10 lbs ? 10 lbs that?s only a sack of groceries.
As far as symptoms go I feel dizzy once in a while ? and kind of icky feeling but I haven?t passed out.
At the time I was thinking great I don?t have to get hit by the 500 lb gorilla, But now that I?m home I am thinking I may have made a mistake, Maybe I should of said go on with it. If I?m not suppose to lift 10 lbs something?s wrong
And how long can I be that careful? I am not sure what to do ? I?m so confused.
I?m a 44 year old male with a bicuspid valve (scarred and calcified) with aortic insufficiency.
I?m sure the surgeon was busy today I had to wait 4 hours to see him. He walked into the room and asked me why I was there today. I told him I thought I needed a new AVR and asked him if he saw my chart ? and what the test results were from 2 days before.
Previously when I went there the report stated my Aorta was 5 cm or larger. The surgeon told me the CT scan showed that the Aorta was only 46 mm which is borderline for Open heart surgery. He said that the opening was to large for a Perimount Magna valve which I wanted. He said he could put a Dacron or velour tube in but that it would be hard to replace down the road at my age ? He suggested a Homograft and said when the valve wore out it would be easier to replace. ? Which sounded find to me because I didn?t want to take Coumadin.
But then he said it really didn?t have to be replaced right now but he could do it if I wanted him to. This confused me because two cardiologists from different clinics said it had to be replaced and the surgery was scheduled for Jan 17th.
I was scheduled off from work, Hotel reservations for my family, my sisters flying in from Fla. I mean I was all ready for it.
He told me that other surgeons would say to have it replaced now but he said he says he takes a less aggressive stance and thinks I should wait until it?s necessary.
He said I only had a 3+ aortic insufficiency and that I only had around a 1% chance for an aneurysm I had no signs of heart enlargement and no clogged arteries. He said I should come back in 6 months for another CT scan to make sure things don?t get worst.
He said I could play tennis, swim, walk and run but not lift anything heavy but I shouldn?t lift more then 10 lbs ? 10 lbs that?s only a sack of groceries.
As far as symptoms go I feel dizzy once in a while ? and kind of icky feeling but I haven?t passed out.
At the time I was thinking great I don?t have to get hit by the 500 lb gorilla, But now that I?m home I am thinking I may have made a mistake, Maybe I should of said go on with it. If I?m not suppose to lift 10 lbs something?s wrong
And how long can I be that careful? I am not sure what to do ? I?m so confused.
