Hey buddy, check out this new valve.

[ALCapshaw2]

Welcome aboard Joe!

I've had both Bypass Surgery and Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR) Surgery. Recovery is similar since the main thing to recover from is having your chest cut open. Both are OPEN CHEST, but valve surgery is truly OPEN HEART.

Bypass is technically simpler, merely a short single in-line
slit on one of the coronary arteries with a vein stuck and sewn into the slit, much like sticking a straw into a larger tube. OTOH, the area where the vein is harvested from can cause more discomfort in some patients.

Regarding back and shoulder pains, I found that MASSAGE, either by hand or from a vibrating disk massager works WONDERS in releiving those INTENSE muscle aches that can last for weeks after surgery. For me, massage was FASTER and BETTER than pain medication.

Dr. McGiffin is one of the most cordial, kind, and respected Doctors I have ever encountered (I heard him making rounds while I was in the ICU at UAB for my AVR). I would like to know more about his experience and any specializations he has as I am considering him for a probably third surgery to replace my mitral valve.

'AL'

 

[gadgetman]

Joe,
I'll try and remember to pass along your "thanks" to Dr. McGiffin. He was referred to me by my Heart Doc in Columbus, GA. He said Dr. McGiffin was the "only one" he would recommend to take care of my problems. As you can see from my other postings, I was one sick puppy by time I got to him. He said he was not going in until the pressures between my Heart/Lung went down. He also was expecting to have to perform 4 by-passes. When he got in he found my Mitral Valve was repairable and that I only needed 3 by-passes. He was somewhat concerned about my Tricuspid (sp?) which showed some leakage. When he repositioned the lead to my AICD the leak there stopped. To say he was "tickled pink" would be an understatement. My shoulder blades are just a dull ache right now. No sharp pains and, so far, nothing that can't be handled by Tylenol.

Al,

I would recommend Dr. McGiffin to anyone. He is a truly caring Doctor that treats each patient as an individual. He and his staff, especially Dr. Pitel, were quick to explain what was going on and where we stood at that moment. While I was there for my appointment he had two pages about heart and lung transplants. He stopped by my ICU bed one night (or early morning) dressed in scrubs and had the magnifing glasses on. I asked him if he ever slept. He said he got plenty of rest. I told him to make sure he got a good night's rest before my surgery. He said not to worry. Great bunch at UAB. Trust him with your life. I did.

Danny

 

[Jorcsa]

A most informative site

A most informative site

Totally and utterly FALSE!!!

A daily seaweed, Kale and mayo diet may be a bit over the edge, but a couple times a week and adjustment should be fine.

You are falling victim to people that are spreading terror to Coumadin patients. Eat what you want to eat and adjust your Coumadin around that diet. Be consistent in the amounts of Vit K that you take in. Do not deprive yourself of things your love and that are also good for you. I suggest you go to Mr Lodwicks site and study up on Coumadin. You'll feel better, most likely know more about the drug then those people telling you cannot have greens and feel better about the whole situation.

Go look at www.warfarinfo.com

Ross,

I finally took time this afternoon to peruse many (but not all) of the 230 or so pages of information on warfarin you suggested on the website. Thanks a bunch. Besides the important stuff, it was intersting to see how the name of the med was derived. Also, the history of the how it was developed caused me to chuckle out loud. I haven't ordered my "Had your rat poison today?" coffee mug or sweat shirt, but I figure it's just a matter of time.

I'm still early enough on on all of this to feel really comforted, until I read the next article and then get the ol' shiver down the spine. I just consider myself fortunate to be here, and to have the opportunity to live out a basically normal life.

Hope you're doing well,

Joe

 

[Jorcsa]

Love that sushi !!

Love that sushi !!

Joe,
Welcome to the site. It is a fun place to hang out.

I think OHS refers to any operation where the heart is exposed. However, in VR surgery the heart is actually opened so it adds a little definition to OHS.

As far as diet & coumadin: I have been on coumadin for 24 years. I have not changed my diet other than watching my calories (a personal side effect of getting older ). I eat seaweed (read sushi), love spinach salads and eat a lot of green vegies. However, I do all that on a regular basis (more than once/week) so my dosage has been adjusted to fit my diet.

I have thought of coumadin as a friend who keeps me from having a stroke and not as an enemy trying to sqeeze the blood from my body. A bit bizarre of an analogy but one that works for me.

I am happy for you that recovery has been fairly "easy" (yeah - right!) and it sounds like you will be back to regular "stuff" soon. Congratulations.
Look forward to more updates.

Hi Gina,

I don't know if your post had a subliminal effect on my selection of dinner last night, but I chose a nice California roll (tuna and salmon). Delicious. I'm having my INR next week, so we'll see if there is any aftermath in my level.

Do you mind if I ask you what your "normal" dosage is? I'm taking 5mg one day and 7.5mg the next. I've been hanging in the 2-3 range on the high side.

The information on OHS was most informative. I hope you're doing well.

Thanks again,

Joe

 

[Jorcsa]

Hello to AL in AL

Hello to AL in AL

Welcome aboard Joe!

I've had both Bypass Surgery and Aortic Valve Replacement (AVR) Surgery. Recovery is similar since the main thing to recover from is having your chest cut open. Both are OPEN CHEST, but valve surgery is truly OPEN HEART.

Bypass is technically simpler, merely a short single in-line
slit on one of the coronary arteries with a vein stuck and sewn into the slit, much like sticking a straw into a larger tube. OTOH, the area where the vein is harvested from can cause more discomfort in some patients.

Regarding back and shoulder pains, I found that MASSAGE, either by hand or from a vibrating disk massager works WONDERS in releiving those INTENSE muscle aches that can last for weeks after surgery. For me, massage was FASTER and BETTER than pain medication.

Dr. McGiffin is one of the most cordial, kind, and respected Doctors I have ever encountered (I heard him making rounds while I was in the ICU at UAB for my AVR). I would like to know more about his experience and any specializations he has as I am considering him for a probably third surgery to replace my mitral valve.

'AL'

How are you Al? It's great to communicate with a fellow Alabamian. I notice you live in North Alabama, I live in Hoover, so a visit to UAB is a very short commute.

My wife gave me a gift certificate for a massage, which I plan to use when my breast bone heals a bit more (surgery date 1/10/05). I'll take your advice about the vibrating massager in the meantime. I know I've got one stashed in here somewhere.

Regarding Dr. McGiffin, he performed a unscheduled single bypass on my brother-in-law David three weeks ago. David requested Dr. McGiffin because he knew how pleased I was with my operation. He's recuperating well, and goes for his follow-up visit next week.

On the day of my discharge, I told Dr. McGiffin, "Thanks to you, I'll soon be leaving the hospital in a Ford Taurus sedan instead of a Cadillac hearse."
I didn't get a verbal response from him, but his two assistants laughed out loud, and then quickly regained their professional composure. It was choice.

I was told by a nurse that he is able to perform some specialized heart operation that few, if any, other doctors in the USA are able to duplicate.
I'm sure you can obtain his curriculam vitae amd other credentials from his office or from UAB or Kirkland Clinic.

Take care and thanks AL,

Joe

 

[Jorcsa]

Thanks Danny

Thanks Danny

Joe,
I'll try and remember to pass along your "thanks" to Dr. McGiffin. He was referred to me by my Heart Doc in Columbus, GA. He said Dr. McGiffin was the "only one" he would recommend to take care of my problems. As you can see from my other postings, I was one sick puppy by time I got to him. He said he was not going in until the pressures between my Heart/Lung went down. He also was expecting to have to perform 4 by-passes. When he got in he found my Mitral Valve was repairable and that I only needed 3 by-passes. He was somewhat concerned about my Tricuspid (sp?) which showed some leakage. When he repositioned the lead to my AICD the leak there stopped. To say he was "tickled pink" would be an understatement. My shoulder blades are just a dull ache right now. No sharp pains and, so far, nothing that can't be handled by Tylenol.

Al,

I would recommend Dr. McGiffin to anyone. He is a truly caring Doctor that treats each patient as an individual. He and his staff, especially Dr. Pitel, were quick to explain what was going on and where we stood at that moment. While I was there for my appointment he had two pages about heart and lung transplants. He stopped by my ICU bed one night (or early morning) dressed in scrubs and had the magnifing glasses on. I asked him if he ever slept. He said he got plenty of rest. I told him to make sure he got a good night's rest before my surgery. He said not to worry. Great bunch at UAB. Trust him with your life. I did.

Danny

Well, it looks like we have us a small McGiffin fan club going here. I know there are plenty of great surgeons, or we wouldn't have the membership on this forum obviously. Call me biased, but never having had or needed a surgeon before, I just think Dr. McGiffin "hung the moon".

I asked him one day as he was making rounds if I happened to have a cardiac emergency after I got home and called 911, would they be able to perform CPR on a newly opened chest. He looked puzzled and said, "That's a bit of twisted logic I must say. I don't think they'll let you go through open heart surgery and then lose you to because of a mending breast bone."

Gotta admire the "Giff". Glad this is all fading into our respective rear view mirrors, Danny. And so it goes.

Joe