New member Surgery Fri Aug 10,07

[geebee]

Welcome, Tina.

I also worry about decisions being made based on what might be in the future. Having been in the "OHS World" since 1980, I have to say I do not agree that things have changed all that much. Yes, survival rates are better and there are more valve choices but, the basics are still the same, tissue or mechanical. Some people benefit from minimally invasive surgery (which actually is more painful than sternum entry) and more is being done with robotics and catheter valve replacement but those are not the norm. In fact, a few of the highly publicized valve improvements have turned out to be disasters.

One thing, tho, that has changed tremendously is ACT management. When I started all this, we were in a primative state for ACT. The fact that many of us are still alive I think says more for our luck than good management. With the advent of INR, we are much more stable and under control. ACT still has a ways to go when it comes to the everyday medical personnel catching up but the difference between 1980 and 2007 is truly night and day.

I am not advocating tissue or mechanical for you. However, I do advocate making your decision (especially since this will be your third heart sugery) based on what exists today.

I am sure many people will disagree with me and that is okay. This post is just my opinion and not meant as decision pushing. Please be sure to explore all options thoroughly and based on fact and not speculation. I wish you all the best.

 

[KatieD]

Some people benefit from minimally invasive surgery (which actually is more painful than sternum entry)

I have to dispute the idea that minimally invasive surgery is more painful than sternum entry. Of course, I haven't had sternum entry surgery so I have nothing to sompare to, but I've had virtually no pain with the port access procedure I had done and I'm left with a scar that's 3 1/2" long, if that. The most I can remember is that at times I was very uncomfortable, but the pain meds kept that well in check.

It seems to be handed out as pretty common information (I was even told this in preparation for my surgery) that minimally invasive surgery is more painful, but both my sister and I had port access and both experienced the exact opposite.

 

[geebee]

I have to dispute the idea that minimally invasive surgery is more painful than sternum entry. Of course, I haven't had sternum entry surgery so I have nothing to sompare to, but I've had virtually no pain with the port access procedure I had done and I'm left with a scar that's 3 1/2" long, if that. The most I can remember is that at times I was very uncomfortable, but the pain meds kept that well in check.

It seems to be handed out as pretty common information (I was even told this in preparation for my surgery) that minimally invasive surgery is more painful, but both my sister and I had port access and both experienced the exact opposite.

Katie,
I am very happy for your experiences. However, most of the people I have come across that had the side access surgery indicate a higher pain level (when using the 1-10 gauge) than sternum access.
Of course, this is a prime example of everyone being different.

 

[Karlynn]

It's been my understanding that the port access is initially more painful, but that the reason for doing it is that the length of recovery isn't as long because you aren't waiting for the sternum to knit together.

We have a friend from church who had the heart port done to repair an atrial septal defect discovered when he was 45. That failed for some reason (the procedure, not the port) and they had to go back in 6 months later and did so through a full sternotomy. He said the pain from the heart port was greater for the first week post than the sternotomy.

KatieD, I'm glad your pain wasn't bad for you or your sister. It's nice when the warnings you receive turn out to be not as bad as described.

For anyone undergoing OHS they should know that pain should be well-managed. If you are experiencing a lot of pain, it's because something isn't right, or they aren't medicating you properly.

 

[KatieD]

I agree that not everyone experiences pain to the same degree. I also think we may be talking about two different types of minimally invasive surgery because mine was not through the side, but through the right front rib cage.

 

[MaryC]

Maybe it's Dr Ryan and his team, but my experience is like Sherri's. I cannot say I experienced pain - just discomfort. Sherri and I have 2 siblings who had traditional surgery, our sister (who went thru 2 surgeries) and our brother who had his surgery last September. Having been there with both of them after their surgery I know my level of pain was not like theirs.