Minimally Invasive

[Candy]

Hello Everyone. I am new here, and alrady oweso much to so many of you. I ws wondering if anyone here has undergone a "minimally invasive surgery"? I will be undergoing a Ross on 3/3. My doctor said it will be minimally invasive. I would love to hear about recovery, pain, etc. I just seem to get more questions daily.
Thank you!
Candy

 

[SJJ]

Candy,
Welcome to the site. Sounds like you've been lurking, so I don't need to assure you that you're in compassionate and caring company. There have been at least of couple of people who've had a minimally invasive procedures on board here. I don't recall that they were in conjunction with a Ross procedure or not but I'm sure someone will come along soon to answer your questions. Good luck with your upcoming surgery! Mine is in 3 more days (aortic mechanical valve) and I sure am ready to get it behind me.
Sue


s

 

[Heather Fisher]

Hi Candy,

I had a Ross procedure last July but mine was not minimally invasive. I think those that get minimally invasive procedures recover very quickly. In truth, I had a fairly uneventful recovery. There was pain but I only needed tylenol. I slept in my own bed from my first night home. I do have a higher pain tolerance than most people. Expect to be tired for at least the first month. Naps are nice. I was more frustrated by not being able to do everything I wanted. It was hard to go from being the caretaker of everyone in the family to being the one who was cared for. It's important to remember not to overdo and to just let your body heal. Ask away with your questions before surgery and as you recover. Welcome !

Heather

 

[Candy]

Dear Sue and Heather,
Thank you both so much for responding. Sue, I will keep you in my thoughts and pray for a "quick" and easy recovery. Heather, I am glad to hear that your Ross went well. did your surgeons use the long incision or a shorter one? I am hoping I, too have a easier time with the recovery. I am a dance instructor, amn plan on teaching in 4 weeks. Now, I only have to teach a few hours a week, and can actually sit my tush down on a chair if needed! But my docs said that paln is realistic, so I will focus on that.
Candy

 

[Nancy]

There are a couple of different types of minimally invasive procedures. There is the one with a much shorter incision, and some doctors call that a minimally invasive surgery.

My husband had a keyhole type surgery called HeartPort method through his side and rib area, for a mitral valve repair.

The side method was easier for my husband than the sternum surgery because there wasn't any bone healing.

 

[ar bee]

minimally invasive

minimally invasive

the prospect of fast recovery is naturally VERY appealing, however can e.g. a full AVR be done by this technique? I am currently talking to a rather conservative surgeon and i am not sure whether he is in favour at all

regards and good luck to all
ar bee

 

[Heather Fisher]

Candy,
My incision is a long one. It's really not too bad once it is healed.
I'm still a little shy about showing it in public. My hubby says "go ahead and show it, you earned it". Guess I need to find out about Arnold Schwarzenneger's make-up artist. He has had valve replacement surgery too you know (in fact it was a Ross).

I think teaching in 4 weeks may be realistic for you, maybe not at full speed.....If you are not up to it, don't push it. Things will come back. I felt I was ready to come back at 4 weeks and the doc made me wait 8. I'm sure you are in good shape though. Just make sure you give yourself time to heal!!!
Heather

 

[Candy]

Dear Heather,
Yes, ARnold did have a Ross, and it failed. He now has 2 homografts, and will most certainly face another surgery. NOt encouraging, but I know I have been better to my body! Thank you for the words of encouragement regardign the reovery. I did sen and email to my doc today to ask if his minimually invasive is what was also mentioned, just a shorter incision. I do know he plans on the incision being shorter. Thanks again,
Candy

 

[Bryan B]

I thought I read somewhere that Arnold was lifting weights and one of his sutures ruptured which caused the failure.

 

[Candy]

Hi Bryan,
Although I don't know details, I believe it was more than working out that caused the problem. The valves didn't work right. By the way, my doctor is planning on doing the minimally invasive surgery. That consists of not cutting the sternum all the way, and a shorter incision. It is even trickier with a Ross, but in his words, "That isthe Plan". IF he needs to, the full incision can be made. I am getting very scared. The surgery is a week from today. I can't sleep, and it seems that all I do is think about it. Mainly I think about my son, and making sure he is taken care of .
Candy

 

[Bryan B]

Hi Candy,

I wasn't sure if that's what happened to him or not, and when I tried to dig up some info I couldn't find anything. I am having the Ross Procedure done on March 17th (i'm having my cath on your surgery date). Mine will not be minimally invasive, but I am also having my VSD repaired. They said in order to do this they will have to go in through the sternum.

 

[Candy]

Hi Bryan,
I kinda wish I would have some time between the cath and the surgery, but mine are only a day apart. So when I go in, I stay in! Best of luck to you.
Candy