New member, needs advice

[bear]

I am a 41 yo male with congenital bicuspid aortic valve with calcification and severe regurgitation, also heart is enlarged. Have appt. with surgeon on Feb 21 and he wanted to set me up with surgery on the 22nd. Am new at this game and am concerned about the surgery. Has anyone had surgery in Bismarck ND or can they get info to me about the surgeons in the area. Am showing symptoms already of SOB and tightness in the chest, any advice on the surgery will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Bionic Man]

I can identify

I can identify

I can't help with surgeons but I know exactly where you're coming from. I had all the same issues (enlargement, angina, leaky valve etc) but I also had an aorta that looked like a balloon. (literally) My heart muscle was starting to get worse.

I found sugery to be not so bad. The repairs were very effective and things weren't as painful as what I anticipated. My heart feels less stressed although it feels different now. All signs are pointing to a good recovery and everything improving.

I believe you will have similar results and you will feel 100% better.

Get some massages or something like that so you can sleep now and then. It get's a little stressful in the waiting room. Sure hope you find a surgeon you like. Once you do, you will feel much better. If you don't like the first one (like me) then keep looking until you find one you really are comfortable with.

Dave

 

[bear]

Thanks Bionic Bob

Thanks Bionic Bob

Thanks Bob for the reply, I see you haven't been a member long but already are a great asset to the forum, I do appreciate all the info I can get. I must have been not thinking straight last night when I posted on the forum but I am actually 44 yo. Have known about this condition since a very young age and was told in 1987 that in about 20 yrs I would need the valve replaced. The time sure went fast. Have only met the surgeon once briefly after he removed part of my sisters lung and have been told by the Drs. that I work with that the surgeon is very confident. I am no stranger to the knife but have never been opened up in the in the chest. Will have to show my wife this site and keep people posted as to my progress. Again thanks to all for any advice given.

 

[bear]

Oops sorry

Oops sorry

Bionc Man, I need to appoligize for getting you confused with Bob. I have been on this site to much in the last few days and I think am reading so much that I'm getting names mixed up. Again you are a great asset to the forum and I hope to keep getting your input in the future. My computer savy isn't that great so I hope not to make to many mistakes in the future.

 

[Ross]

My computer savy isn't that great so I hope not to make to many mistakes in the future.

Huh? I've been pounding the keyboard for nearly 5 years now and I still make mistakes. Why for you think your special?

 

[Bill Hall]

Bear - I don't know much about Bismark, but you want to make sure your surgeon has a good history and does this valve replavcement frequently. You may also want to travel to find a place that meets your needs. I went to the Cleveland Clinic from VA because I heard they had the lowest mortality rate. I was age 47 when I had it done four years ago and am doing pretty good.
Bill

 

[McCln]

Bear

Bear

I am sure that everything will be alright. Surgery is not as bad as it used to be. Hospital stay is shorter and recovery al relatively done at home. You will be fine. Good luck and keep us posted when you come home. Hang in there.

 

[dawnwit15]

Hi Bear

Hi Bear

Bear:
I agree with Caroline, the surgery isn't that bad, the hospital stay is alot shorter and you'll be able to do most of your recovery in the comforts of your own home. Stay positive, it will help during recovery. Sorry I don't have any advice on your condition as I have experienced other conditions but I wish you all the best. I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Dawn

 

[Heinz]

Not to worry!

Not to worry!

I am a 41 yo male with congenital bicuspid aortic valve with calcification and severe regurgitation, also heart is enlarged. Have appt. with surgeon on Feb 21 and he wanted to set me up with surgery on the 22nd. Am new at this game and am concerned about the surgery. Has anyone had surgery in Bismarck ND or can they get info to me about the surgeons in the area. Am showing symptoms already of SOB and tightness in the chest, any advice on the surgery will be greatly appreciated.

Hello, Although I did not have surgery in ND, I did have the same type of surgery done in Rochester, N.Y. in June of 1976! The valve which was used at that time was a Star-Edwards [now Edwards Life Science] Valve. This
Valve is composed of Titanium,and has a mesh cover [dupont] As you can see
this valve was used thirty years ago,imagine how much more advances both
the Valves, and surgery is today. As far as having it done In ND, I am
sure that the technology is the same as any other medical center which has a Thorastic surgery program.

Best of Luck.
Heinz-Peter

 

[ALCapshaw2]

You can find Hospital ratings, by procedure, on www.HealthGrades.com

Any hospital that performs valve surgery on a regular basis should be reasonably safe. ASK how many they do a year. Also, ask the surgeon how many HE does per year. Anything over 200 / year should be enough to maintain a high degree of competency. You might even want to ask for the surgeon's Morbidity and Mortality numbers for THAT procedure. First time surgeries for patients under age 60 are should be under 2% (under 1% for really good surgeons).

If you are willing to travel a little, the MAYO Clinic in MN is the #2 rated Heart Hospital in the U.S. (maybe the world).

Best wishes,

'AL Capshaw'

 

[Wise]

Best of luck Bear. I'm a 45 yr old man with the same condition. Not at the point of surgery yet. It seems to me that your first obligation is to your health and your loved ones. Good luck!!

 

[Wise]

Sorry Bear, my reply previous reply was intended for your thread about your impending surgery. Didn't mean to be confusing to anyone, if that was the case.