Looking for Good Information in the Michigan Area

[jake]

Please forgive my ignorance if I am doing this wrong. I have been posting here and there regarding my impending surgical interventions for a new aorta and possibly aortic valve as well.

I opted to start a new thread because I have found difficulty in getting recommendations from those of you who have already had surgery, may live in the Michigan/Ohio area and had great outcomes with surgeons in this area.

We have several great hospital systems here in Michigan, Beaumont, Henry Ford, St. Johns, Providence, Crittenden, U of M medical center, and just to the south the Cleveland Clinic and all points between.

My question is: Can any of you who may have had these procedures done in the Michigan/Ohio area recommend a surgeon who specializes in this kind of work and did right by you?

I have already visited Henry Ford (Dr. Nemeh) and U of M (Dr Haft). It’s reasonable to say that I sure would like another opinion or two before committing to a course of treatment in the projected window.

Any recommendations would be great and also, if I am posting this request in the incorrect spot, I would love to put it where it should be. Thank you so much for the support and information.

It seems that everyone has differant opinions and used differant equipemnt (valves) so I suppose more information and options are a good thing.

 

[nngbwh]

Sorry I am not that familiar with Michigan. I know there are members here from Michigan- Nikd, Rich and more.
Hopefully someone can help you out.

 

[JimL]

I had my surgery done at McLaren in Flint; Dr. Jara was my surgeon and did a fine job, although I'm prejudiced there. If Rich doesn't see this and reply, you could PM him; I think his surgery was done at Beaumont.

 

[Ross]

There are outstanding surgeons at U of M. I can't comment on them, but can CCF. You cannot go wrong at Cleveland should you choose to come to Ohio.

 

[Rich]

Jake,
I just saw your post and sent you a private message.
Hope to hear from you,
Rich

 

[scott.eitman]

The CCF is rated #1 for a reason.

If not obvious, I am biased towards the CCF as well. I live in Cleveland and have many choices, but I would not just choose a CCF branch hosital, I choose the main campus. I have heard complaints about being a number at the CCF, but who cares. The point is that by being a number, you are in the hands of people that deal with similar procedures every minute of every day. Post op, I had severe back pain. My nurse didn't bat an eye because she had seen this in other minimally invasive patients in the past. She hooked me up with morphine and all was well. Not just a nurse dealing with patients with multiple ailments.

In addition, the organization Mended Hearts makes regular visits to talk with patients. In other words, Its not just the doctors, not just the nurses it is a whole package.

 

[Rich]

Scott,
I was born and raised in Cleveland and lived there for the first 35 yrs of my life.
When I was facing VR surgery I could have gone there and stayed with relatives.
But I stayed here in Michigan and went to one of the top hospitals in this country, and the outcome could not have been better anywhere.
As a side note I will tell all a quick story.
Our nephew and his wife(now both retired) worked at the CC for many, many years.
Then a few years back our nephew needed AVR and of course had it done at the CC.
Fortunately the surgery went well, but the care in the hospital afterwards was absolutely horrible. I won't go into the details nor repeat the many horror stories we have been told over the years by our family.
It just proves there is no place close to perfect anywhere.
Rich