I'm new here so be nice

[B Miner]

In a couple of weeks I am to have a tattered mitral valve repaired or replaced by the daVinci robotic device operated by Dr. Randolph Chitwood in Greenville, NC. This has caused troubling afib and needs fixing. I am encouraged by the technology but still wonder about the recovery times and events. I am 74, retired, dedicated to working with children via the Guardian ad Litem program and I want to get back to work serving "my" kids. Anyone been through this process?

 

[Mary]

In a couple of weeks I am to have a tattered mitral vavle repaired or replaced by the DaVinci orbotic device operated by Dr. Randolph Chitwood in Greenville, NC. This has caused troubling afib and needs fixing. I am encouraged bym the technology but still wonder about the recovery times and recovery event. I am old, retired, dedicated to working with children via the Guardian ad Litem program and I want to get back to work serving "my" kids. Anyone been through this process?

Hi, and I promise we won't be mean to you . . . yet!

We have had members who had their surgery done with the robotic device, and it's possible that Dr. Chitwood was the surgeon. However, I can't remember who, or when it was, so I'll suggest that you start another thread in the Heart Talk or Pre-surgery Forum and use Dr. Chitwood's name and DaVinci in the title. Many members pass threads by if they don't see something in the title that appears to apply to their own surgical experience.
Another way would be to use the search button up at the top of this thread. You can type in Chitwood or Da Vinci or Greenville, NC and see what posts are found.
Good luck and welcome to VR!

 

[Adrienne]

Hi, after my mitral valve repair, a friend of mine put me into contact with a woman who was about to have a mitral valve repair. This woman had minimally invasive surgery (she said it was the Heartport). Although I don't know the difference between the da Vinci method and the Heartport method, the point is, it was minimally invasive. She was back at work in 3 weeks. I have read 3 to 4 weeks in articles on the Internet.

 

[Phyllis]

Here's the thread that covers the DaVinci method and a member that had it and was operated on by Dr. Chitwood: http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=3041&highlight=chitwood+davinci

 

[hensylee]

Welcome, B. Can't help on the daVinci. I want to welcome you to VR and thank you for coming.

I am glad to know you are in the guardian ad litem program. My sister was very active in it before her death, now her son is an advocate for children and has taken up her banner. It is a wonderful and worthy program. Bless the children you serve, and you for doing it.

You don't tell us what your part of the country is, do you mind me asking what state?

 

[EireCara]

Welcome......

Welcome......

*Hi, just wanted to welcome you to this wonderful site and wish you well with you upcoming surgery. Best Wishes...Jacqui.

 

[WayneGM]

Welcome to the VR community. I don't know anything about the daVinci method, but all the best with the procedure.

 

[PJmomrunner]

I remembered someone named Paul in Milwaukee had a procedure using the DaVinci robot. Here's the link:

http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14160&highlight=davinci+paul+milwaukee

 

[Nan]

Welcome to VR.com. Sorry I don't know anything about the DaVinci robotic method of valve surgery. But others have given you some links and hopefully you will get more information.

But I wanted to congratulate you on your involvement and continued involvement with the Guardian ad Litum program. I am a former social worker type (also retired) and at one point was director of Services for my county which involved CPS and Foster Care etc. So I know only too well what an important role you play in those kids lives. I'm sure with your zeal for helping those kids, you'll recover faster than anyone in order to get back out there!!

Will look forward to more posts from you as to how you are doing.

 

[Phyllis]

I remembered someone named Paul in Milwaukee had a procedure using the DaVinci robot. Here's the link:

http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14160&highlight=davinci+paul+milwaukee

I'm glad you found that thread P.J. - the thread I found was much older and evidently in the procedrure's infancy and a real bummer. I felt badly after I posted it!

 

[Lynlw]

I believe, could be wrong BUT Paul may have been the one who needed a reop a few months later (maybe his ring slipped?) BUT here is a good thread with a couple people that had successful davinci, http://valvereplacement.com/forums/showthread.php?t=16425&highlight=davinci

Lyn

 

[B Miner]

Y'awl have been nice to me, so far

Y'awl have been nice to me, so far

In answer to some points raised: I live in New Bern, North Carolina, about 40 minutes south of the Cardiovascular Institute, associated with Univ of No Car and directed by Dr. Chitwood. I notice that many of the comments on the robotic link are more than one-year old. I assume this is good news and the folks have moved on. Right? No, I am not a "real" southerner. I am a Yankee transplanted but happier than I deserve. Dr. Chitwood plans to "air" my procedure as part of his teaching program and I understand it will be somewhere on the net if anyone cares. (I sure do!) I'll post the site if anyone is interested. What I want to know is how true the recovery claims are.

 

[Adrienne]

I would LOVE to see your procedure on the Internet!! I had a mitral valve repair, so it would be very interesting to me. By the way, you mentioned A-Fib. I had it for one month in August 2005, was cardioconverted and stablized, and then in October, along with my mitral valve repair, I had a (left) maze procedure. You might want to speak to your surgeon about a maze.

 

[joanne6]

Welcome

Welcome

I had minimally invasive MVR but not robotic. Just wanted to join the others in welcoming you to this site. I haven't been around much lately but it has saved my sanity on many occasions. The people on the site are wonderful.