Dr Paul Stelzer personally called me

[DeuxofUs]

As some of you know, Dr Paul Stelzer at MountSanai in NYC is one (if not THE top surgeon for the Ross Procedure) To date he has done 485 of them.

I must say, I was surprised by his call especially since I had sent him a message only the day before. He said "I just got out of surgery and thought I would call you and answer any questions you may have"... WHO DOES THAT?

He said "I sound like a good candidate" as much as I can without him knowing ALL the details. I told him everything I knew about the procedure and he said that it sounded like I was really doing my homework.

We spoke for about 1/2 hour and he answered every question I have. He really made me feel at ease and he said he would be fine with looking at my Echo's etc. He recommended Dr. Starnes for the west coast.

On a side note he is a REALLY nice guy with a good sense of humor too. Too bad he is so far away from me. Just wanted to pass that along:cool2:

 

[drivetopless]

That's pretty cool!

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I'm glad to see that you are talking with Surgeons who have lots of experience doing the procedure you are interested in pursuing.

I would encourage you to discuss ruling out the possibility of a Connective Tissue Disorder 'just to be safe' and to have a "Plan B" just in case you do since the surgeon won't be able to wake you up in the middle of surgery to ask what is your second choice IF he discovers that your first choice is not viable for some reason.

 

[Duffey]

As some of you know, Dr Paul Stelzer at MountSanai in NYC is one (if not THE top surgeon for the Ross Procedure) To date he has done 485 of them.

I must say, I was surprised by his call especially since I had sent him a message only the day before. He said "I just got out of surgery and thought I would call you and answer any questions you may have"... WHO DOES THAT?

He said "I sound like a good candidate" as much as I can without him knowing ALL the details. I told him everything I knew about the procedure and he said that it sounded like I was really doing my homework.

We spoke for about 1/2 hour and he answered every question I have. He really made me feel at ease and he said he would be fine with looking at my Echo's etc. He recommended Dr. Starnes for the west coast.

On a side note he is a REALLY nice guy with a good sense of humor too. Too bad he is so far away from me. Just wanted to pass that along:cool2:

I had my first conversation with Dr. Stelzer seven years ago when I called him to discuss undergoing the Ross Procedure. We talked several times after that, and I sent him copies of my echos and heart caths. He is a fine man and a brilliant surgeon.

 

[Jkm7]

Seeing as you like him so much and his reputation certainly is stallar, perhaps you would consider traveling in order for him to do the surgery.

 

[DeuxofUs]

I have thought about that Jkm but isn't flying after that quite taxing to the body??? Also, where does one recover for the first week? A hotel room? Also, not all my family and friends could make it which would be a bummer. However, I could live with just having my husband with me and perhaps my step-mother whom I am very close to....

 

[Jkm7]

Many valvers have flown in order to have their surgeries in particular hospitals with their choice of surgeon. Some of the finer heart centers are accustomed to out of towners coming to their facilities and they sometimes assist with transfers and info etc
It would be difficult to do alone but seeing you have your DH and other family who can wheel you through the airport and the like, it is very do-able.

If it interests you at all, I am sure I've read threads here about people who have traveled for their surgeries. Why not do a search for some of those threads and see what you think about the idea.

Some of us were happy to not have lots of company while in the hospital. Both my surgeries I asked my husband to keep visitors to a minimum. That could be another 'upside' for you to have your surgery away from home.

 

[Eva]

I'm glad to see that you are talking with Surgeons who have lots of experience doing the procedure you are interested in pursuing.

I would encourage you to discuss ruling out the possibility of a Connective Tissue Disorder 'just to be safe' and to have a "Plan B" just in case you do since the surgeon won't be able to wake you up in the middle of surgery to ask what is your second choice IF he discovers that your first choice is not viable for some reason.

A very wise advice that is worth considering.

Once I heard I needed surgery, I called one of the top surgeons in CC in Ohio and spoke to his assistant. I was pleasantly :smile2:surprised the next day when the Surgeon himself returned my call and answered my questions and discussed my concerns. He refused to consider it a consultation when I offered to pay him for his time and kindness.

With all the anxiety I was going through and the fear of the possibility of having complications after surgery, I preferred to have my surgery nearby.

Good luck to you.

 

[Natina13]

DeuxofUs
I am so very happy this gentleman took the time to answer your questions and gave you a recommendation for a surgeon on the west coast. It is wonderful to see a sense of hope in your words and less fear of the uncertainty of your situation. I am sending warm caring wishes your way and HUGE hugs.... and Keep smiling, tomorrow always brings with it, the possibility of a better day.
Although I did look on a site, which has information on Doctors, education, if they have been reprimanded in the past five years, for misconduct or malpractice suits filed on Dr. Richard Gregory, in Fresno ( Stanford CardioThorasic Group, a satellite of Stanford University), #1 my family MD, whom I have seen for 20 years, said he was excellent and would trust his life to him, let him do Heart Surgery on him... and the biggest thing was..the first meeting. He was totally open, explained everything ,yet compassionate,caring, yet allows you to make your own choices, took his time, was not rushed, smiled at my jokes, ( I hate doctors who never smile) he seemed very knowledgeable, he found my congenital birth defect right away on the angiogram DVD and other tests( and 2 other blocked arteries, besides the one I knew about), which not even my Cargiologist of 12 yrs saw and I felt instantly at ease with him, he had a "warmth/glow" about him. And...I know this is probably silly, but this man is so good looking, you smile in his presence...the only way it could be better ,is if he looked like Gerard Butler I have decided to sent his wife a letter though, with my requests prior to my surgery in 2 weeks......"Do Not Argue with him about anything, if you have some issue you need to work out with him, please wait till after my surgery, I want him calm... have him watch nothing on TV but comedy programs, Extreme Makeover:Home Edition and Glee, no CNN or news channels,make sure he spends some quality time with you, outside in fresh air, walking, enjoying the beauty of Yosemite , maybe, fix all of his favorite dishes for dinner in this time period, , leave notes on the refrigerator daily saying " Your an Awesome Doctor, a wonderful husband and a good, kind man " ( PS, you have my permission to throw in Great lover, if it applies,lol), give him sex 3-6 times a day up to the night before my surgery ( on that night, give him a romantic candle lite bath, followed by a total body massage, with warm lotion, very early, so he is asleep by 8 pm), though I want him totally relaxed, I want him well rested the night before he operates, make sure he has a good/healthy breakfast on surgery day, I want him alert/energized, tell him that morning what an Awesome Doctor he is, your proud of him and he is going to have a Perfect Day...., Oh and do not forget to kiss him good-bye."
Thank you...His Patient
I am a firm believer in every little bit helps, and laughter is the best medicine. My caring prayers are with you, the others here, your families.. and all mankind.

Renee

( 2 weeks left in the "Waiting Room", my knees may be shaking, hands trembling, my mind racing with fear....but my heart is singing with happiness, as it will soon function as it was always intended to, thus allowing my tired body to be renewed..... so I am smiling !)

 

[Lily]

Nice to read that about Dr. Stelzer. I met Dr. Vaughn Starnes once and liked him. There are some members here whom Dr. Starnes has operated on and I also read that he operated on the [former] Governator.

 

[Anomalouspapillary]

Oops see next post

 

[Anomalouspapillary]

Just had to take this opportunity to give more props to Dr. Stelzer...this guy is an incredible doctor. My friends, especially my power of attorney & emergency contact throughout my surgery experience at Mt Sinai last year, call him one of the few "true heroes" she's ever met, and I enthusiastically second that!

I first encountered Dr. Stelzer back in 2002 when consulting with surgeons here in NYC for my first open heart surgery, thought to be needed for aortic valve insufficiency...I ended up going with another doc at Columbia Presbyterian; it went ok that time around, thought it would be a Ross Procedure but ended up having an aortic valve repair for subaortic stenosis caused by a congenital membrane which was also removed, which resulted in an alleviation of symptoms but no real change in the major limitations on exertion I'd always had...then fortuitously (in retrospect) I suddenly had sudden severe worsening of symptoms in Fall 2010 and without a doubt thought of Dr. Stelzer, having remembered meeting with him in 2002 and thinking that this time the Ross Procedure really would be necessary...

Dr. Stelzer immediately scheduled me for surgery based on my symptoms and echo, even though other cardiologists viewing the echo (done elsewhere) had said I was not in urgent need for surgery (even though I couldn't walk faster than a snail's pace without feeling I'd pass out, with the shortness of breath & heart thumping even at rest). But before surgery, Dr. Stelzer had me get a Cardiac MRI, which revealed an "anomalous papillary muscle" in my L ventricle that was now obstructing 50% of my blood flow and had apparently been there since birth, probably recently enlarged, but still not visible on regular or TEE echos I'd had done over the years, resulting in all the incomplete diagnoses, treatments, and even the first surgery's lack of success! Surprisingly it was not even evident during that surgery, even though it turns out one of the consults I'd had was by a cardiologist who has actually published papers on "anomalous papillary muscles," which points out how difficult they can be to identify.

So in December 2010 that chunk of flesh was finally chopped out, leaving a poorly supported mitral valve which Dr. Stelzer & the mitral specialists at Mt Sinai tried to save but ultimately ended up replacing with a tissue valve (my pre-determined choice) in a 3rd surgery...

And thanks to him and his team (really, the cardiac ICU nurses and techs at Mt Sinai deserve their own post), I feel "normal" health-wise for the first time in my life, amazing since in 15 years of treatment for a congenital problem, I'd initially been given the diagnosis of IHSS/hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and told "well, we can't really do anything about it, just take Toprol for the rest of your life and don't overexert or you might drop down dead" (yes, literal quote from at least two previous cardiologists...) So....second point in this post, always get more than one "second opinion"! Major benefit for quality (and hopefully longevity) of life Testimony to Dr. Stelzer's skill as a doctor & surgeon, and don't even get me started on what a great bedside manner he consistently demonstrated throughout the entire process, including recovery. Unbelievable kindness, humor, humanity... My wish is that you all experience that level of care.

 

[tprice54]

Just to add, I did not have Dr. Stelzer, but know people that have and ALL are very happy with him. He does always take the time out to talk to patients, and will not perform the Roos unless he is very comfortable with the outcome. BTW, do not cross him out due to travel. People come to him from all over the world....they will help you make arrangements.

 

[Lynlw]

Just had to take this opportunity to give more props to Dr. Stelzer...this guy is an incredible doctor. My friends, especially my power of attorney & emergency contact throughout my surgery experience at Mt Sinai last year, calls him one of the few "true heroes" she's ever met, and I enthusiastically second that!

I first encountered Dr. Stelzer back in 2002 when consulting with surgeons here in NYC for my first open heart surgery...I ended up going with another doc at Columbia Presbyterian based on some regrettable advice and my own ignorance; it went ok that time around, thought it would be a Ross Procedure but ended up having an aortic valve repair for subaortic stenosis caused by a congenital membrane which was also removed, which resulted in an alleviation of symptoms but no real change in the major limitations on exertion I'd always had...then fortuitously (in retrospect) I suddenly had sudden severe worsening of symptoms in Fall 2011 and without a doubt thought of Dr. Stelzer, having remembered meeting with him in 2002 and believing that this time the Ross Procedure really would be necessary...

Dr. Stelzer's availability was immediate and he scheduled me for surgery based on my symptoms and echo, even though other cardiologists viewing the echo (done elsewhere) had said I wan not in urgent need for surgery (even though I couldn't walk faster than a snail's pace without feeling I'd pass out, since my heart was thumping even at rest). But before surgery, Dr. Stelzer had me get a Cardiac MRI, which revealed an "anomalous papillary muscle" in my L ventricle that was obstructing 50% of my blood flow and had apparently been there since birth, probably recently enlarged, but still not visible on regular or TEE echos I'd had done over the years, resulting in all the incomplete diagnoses, treatments, and even the first surgery's lack of success!

So in December 2011 that chunk of flesh was finally chopped out, leaving a poorly supported mitral valve which Dr. Stelzer & the mitral specialists at Mt Sinai tried to save but ultimately ended up replacing with a tissue valve (my pre-determined choice) in a 3rd surgery...anyway what with those complications, I ended up intubated and kept in a medically induced coma for 3 weeks altogether, and seriously, Dr. Stelzer remained totally involved, visiting multiple times daily throughout Christmas and New Years, keeping my friends' and the (fantastic, thank you Mt Sinai!) staff's spirits up, always having faith that I would pull through and not need a tracheotomy or a pacemaker despite some crises (including cardioversion) and for the two weeks following my awakening, he without fail was fully involved and made the best decisions to get me well, never without a smile and always answering every question thoroughly and wisely, encompassing the medical as well as the emotional needs of everyone involved, and oh, how keeping morale makes a difference! I mean, come on, calling my friend personally to find out where my ipod charger was after surgery when I was still sedated but apparently asking for my music?! His surgical skills are only matched by his deep compassion and humor, I really can't say enough how much I appreciate having had the experience of being his patient, almost makes the whole lifelong heart ordeal worth it. Haha, well...ok, if you have to have a heart thing, I can only hope you find someone like this to be in it with you

And thanks to him and his team (really, the cardiac ICU nurses and techs at Mt Sinai deserve their own post), I feel "normal" health-wise for the first time in my life, and especially for the first time in 15 years of treatment for a congenital problem that I initially was given the diagnosis of IHSS/hypertrophic cardiomyopathy and told "well, we can't really do anything about it, just take Toprol for the rest of your life and don't overexert or you might drop down dead" (yes, literal quote from at least two previous cardiologists...) So....second point in this long post, always get more than one "second opinion"!

I'm glad you are doing so well and that dr seltzer orderred the MRI so was able to ind the problem others missed. Did you have 2 surgeries and the weeks in a Coma just a few weeks ago in Dec 2011? If so thats pretty amazing, actually whenever you had it to be doing so well is great. Sounds like you were blessed with really strong family and friends too.

 

[Duffey]

As I posted in March, Dr. Stelzer is a fabulous cardiothoracic surgeon and a terrific human being. Thanks for the testimonial.

 

[selma]

I've heard nothing but good things about Dr. Stelzer and Mount Sinai. I'll be travelling there in a couple of weeks to meet with Dr. Adams, the mitral valve wizard, and plan to have my surgery there when the time comes.

 

[Hughbav]

Hi, I had a similar experience with Dr. Stelzer. I contacted him regarding the possiblility of surgery and the Ross procedure. While I do not need surgery, I send him an email each year to let him know how I am doing and he alway responds. Fortunately I am within driving distance to NYC, so if the time comes for surgery, he will be the guy. Good luck.

 

[fgarran]

Hi everybody.

I had Ross Procedure with Dr. Stelzer last March 28th. Surgery was very well and I am really impressed by Dr. Stelzer`s dedication during the whole proccess. I live in Brazil and firstly came for a consult with him. As I had read a lot about my options (including academic papers) about the procedure I had a great deal of questions to make him. He answered all of them dilligently and made sure I was comfortable with his answers.
There's a specific nice article, written by him, called Ross Procedure - State of Art which is really interesting for Ross Procedure candidates. Now, let me tell you something: for any reliable scientific periodic to publish an state of art subject on valve replacement, the author has to be the one in the field.
Besides that, he's really caring and makes you feel confident. Coming from Brazil was, no doubt, a great choice! Thanks Dr. Stelzer!