date set with a single call

[drewg]

Cleveland clinic called today. left a message stating doc looked over records and I needed surgery asap. I called back and within 2 minutes had a date of oct 16th for surgery and two days of pre op testing 14th 15th.

now I have to find a dentist... haha. they stated I need a check up before surgery to ensure no infections. never heard this before now.

and stated not to take any medications a week prior to the date.

by the way, issues I have are 6.0cm ascending aortic aneurysm and bad bad aortic valve. im 27 years old

strange thing was is they didn't say anything on what kind of valve im getting or anything in detail. (found this weird) any insight on why??? or do they do this during pre op testing???

Drew

 

[Mork]

Hi Drew,

I just went through my surgery. I had to have the dental check up too. It took all of about 10 minutes. I'd imagine that on one of the pre-op days you'd discuss the type of valve, procedure, etc. Best of luck.

 

[Rachel]

You're in excellent hands at Cleveland - I didn't go there but I've heard they are one of the best.

As Mork said - I'm sure you'll discuss valve type on a pre-op

My thoughts are with you on the 16th - you'll be fine!!!

 

[LouLou]

Hi Drew.
I am scheduled for surgery at Cleveland Clinic on October 10th. Our paths may cross.
I had my dental check up today...lol. Another 100 bucks...ca-ching.
I called the nurse about the valve choice and she said the surgeon will go over all of the pros and cons of the choices prior to surgery.
I already know what valve I want since this will be my second surgery. I had my first when I was about your age (26) and I am now 50.
I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers and I am certain we will both come through with flying colors.

Stop in and visit if you have time -

Tamara (Tammy) Brock

 

[Jkm7]

Pre-surgery dental check is required by most surgeons.
Bacteria from the mouth/infection in the mouth can be a major cause of endocarditis (infection in the heart) which can attack heart valves. You should confirm with your surgeon how long (s)he wants you to wait post op before any dental appointments. I had to wait six months post op before I could even have a dental cleaning.

YUou will be in very good hands at Cleveland.
All best wishes.

 

[VegasBAV]

I had my surgery at the Cleveland Clinic in November. I had to get a letter from my dentist in advance saying no mouth infections; this is standard.

The surgeon and I discussed valve choice when I met him the day before. I recommend that you do the research ahead of time and have a pretty good idea of what you want to do. My surgeon asked me what kind of valve I wanted, I said tissue valve, I asked him if he would get a tissue valve if he were my age (41), he said yes. He said the valve would probably last about 15 years in someone my age, that he thought my next replacement in 15 years would still be surgical, and that any replacement after that would likely be percutaneous.

I think I have read that the Cleveland Clinic uses tissue valves in 80+% of AVR replacements. Of course, most of their aortic valve replacements are performed on older patients.

You may find this CC page about valve replacement in young adults interesting:

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/disorders/valve/youngvalve.aspx

Their transcripts of webchats with heart surgeons are also very informative. Your surgeon probably participated in at least one:

http://my.clevelandclinic.org/heart/webchat/valve-disease.aspx

Good luck.